Akai @ Kabukiza (Ginza Yonchome) - Wonderful Japanese cuisine at the Bistro Vivienne in Kibamachi, a small restaurant with just one counter that can accommodate ten people. We tried the 5850 yen course menu with eight dishes. The food was delicious, starting with a beer and then dishes like steamed fish cake, sashimi, grilled bamboo shoots, and more. The highlight was the grilled conger eel, which was flavorful and perfectly cooked. The meal ended with a delicious plum and kelp tea rice porridge. Overall, it was a fantastic dining experience for a reasonable price. Highly recommended!

Today's lunch was at a restaurant facing Kabukiza backstreet. I didn't realize they were open for lunch until recently haha. The "lunch set" for ¥1,800 included: - Appetizer (eggplant, greens, potato, etc.) - Side dish (simmered sea bream) - Sashimi (white fish + small skin) - Grilled dish (konjac, tofu?) with marinated sea bream skin - Rice + miso soup (fish broth) It was a lot of food and felt like a small kaiseki meal. It was a nice place to eat slowly at the counter.

Red Ai Michelin Bib Gourmand Fish and Vegetable Cuisine Today, the counter-style restaurant that focuses on fish and vegetables, Red Ai Michelin Bib Gourmand, was almost fully booked on this Saturday. There are two options for lunch: a set meal for 1800 yen and an omakase course for 3800 yen. Today, I ordered the 1800 yen set meal, which is an omakase style. The set meal arrived about 7-8 minutes after ordering. Today's set meal included 5 slices of moist sea bream, a bowl of udon with seaweed like chawanmushi, simmered fish, tofu, and vegetables, grilled fish, vegetable-filled rolled omelette, and konjac, totaling 4 dishes. The miso soup was piping hot, and the fish bone-in rice was offered as a free large serving. All the dishes were refined and had an elegant taste. Although the lunch is slightly pricey, I believe that the quality and quantity are worth more than 1800 yen. Thank you for the delicious meal!

Food log rating ☆3.38 * Visit date: January 2023, Saturday, lunchtime This is a restaurant that has been selected multiple times for the Michelin Bib Gourmand. It is a small shop with about 10 counter seats, run by the master and the hostess. I visited at 12:30 on a Saturday with a reservation. There were available seats at the counter on this day, and some customers without reservations were also present, but it may be better to make a reservation as it can be full at times. The lunch menu consists of only the "Chef's Choice Course" (¥3800 including tax) and the "Lunch Set" (¥1800 including tax). (It seems that the "Chef's Choice Course" used to be ¥2750 including tax, and the "Lunch Set" used to be ¥1650 including tax) I ordered the "Lunch Set" (¥1800 including tax). It includes an appetizer, small dishes, sashimi, grilled dish, rice, and miso soup. The appetizer has udon inside a chawanmushi. It has a gentle flavor with a flavorful broth. There are 3 small dishes. The ones in small plates are seasoned with vinegar and grated radish, refreshing to eat. The sashimi is fresh sea bream. The grilled dish (more like a simmered dish) contains various ingredients such as vegetables and tofu. It has a slightly sweet flavor. The tofu was unusual with a sweet and sticky texture like milk tofu. The rice is available in extra-large portions for free, and you can also have seconds. The miso soup contains fish bones, giving it a rich fish flavor. Each dish is carefully made, and I think ¥1800 for this content is reasonable. The "Chef's Choice Course" ordered by the person next to me also looked good. The service is relaxed, so it's good for those who want to enjoy their meal slowly while drinking alcohol. [Rating Criteria] * I have slightly changed the evaluation criteria since my last review on August 12, 2022, so it may differ from past posts. ☆2.0 to ☆2.5 Hmm ☆3.0 Average ☆3.5 Delicious (I wouldn't mind coming back) ☆4.0 Like (I want to come back) ☆4.5 Really like it ☆5.0 Excellent [Instagram] "Shutin" Food and Drink Diary @shutin_foodie_diary "Shutin" Alcohol Diary @shutin_alcohol_diary [Blog] "Shutin" Food and Drink Diary https://shu-tinfoodiediary.com Introducing delicious restaurants mainly in Tokyo, so please take a look ===========

Fish and vegetable cuisine - Despite being Christmas Eve, there was a long line at the "Kissaten YOU" next door. It's a hidden gem that you might not notice right away, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand sticker on the front. As the name suggests, it is a counter-style restaurant that focuses on fish and vegetables. I made a reservation for the 1800 yen lunch as they said it was almost fully booked when I called yesterday. I visited on Saturday at 1 pm and it was almost full. There were about 10 seats at the long counter. Behind the counter, there were bottles of shochu lined up, giving the impression that there are many regular customers. The lunch menu consists of a 1800 yen set meal and a 3800 yen chef's choice course. Since it was a Saturday, it seemed like a mix of orders for the chef's choice course and the 1800 yen set meal. There were also many solo diners. The person next to me ordered the chef's choice course, which seemed to be a nice course with leisurely sake drinking. The set meal arrived about 7-8 minutes after ordering. It included sashimi: 5 slices of tender sea bream and fresh seaweed, Shinjo: tofu and fish paste shinjo with vegetables, simmered dish: simmered head of sea bream, grilled dish: slightly delayed arrival, an omelette with vegetables inside, fish skin and onion nanban-zuke, and konjac miso soup with plenty of tofu. Rice was refillable, so I had some more. For a lunch on the pricier side, the set meal had a sufficient number of dishes, and all of them had a refined and elegant taste. I believe the quality and quantity of the meal are worth more than 1800 yen. Thank you for the meal!!

I visited Kabuki-za for the first time in 3 years. It seemed like a quiet time as there were no other guests. I ordered a course menu with 8 dishes, starting with a draft beer. The first course was tofu and simmered dish, with a delicate dashi flavor. The small dishes included pumpkin bun and conger eel, both delicious. I then moved on to sake, choosing a dry and unique brand called Yukiotoko. The sashimi course featured sea bream, red snapper, and bonito, all fresh and firm. I paired it with Kagatobi sake. The grilled dish was sea bream, thick and well-seasoned. The fried dish with eel was outstanding. Next was scallop and... I started to feel a bit tipsy and my memory fades. The meal ended with tea-infused rice, which was delicious. The food and sake were both excellent and good value for money. This is a hidden gem that I hesitate to share with others.

Visited on Saturday at 12:00. It's a small restaurant with only a counter. For lunch, there are only two options: course or set meal. I chose the set meal for 1800 yen. It was served in 10 minutes. There wasn't much explanation about the dishes. The sashimi was tai (sea bream), so I think the simmered dish was also made with tai. It's been a while since I had simmered dish, and it was comforting. The miso soup was fish-based. The only downside was that the rice was a bit dry. It seems you can also reserve seats for lunch.

This is a restaurant run by the master alone. You can enjoy a meal for 1650 yen between 12:00 and 13:30. The food is heartwarming and has a simple taste like home cooking, but each dish is carefully prepared and enjoyable. You can taste a variety of dishes like marinated mackerel and the simmered tofu with grated pumpkin and taro, which seem to be good for your health. Since the master is busy by himself, it's best to visit alone or with one other person during lunchtime.

Ginza Uonamicho Akai is a small restaurant located next to the Ginza Kabuki-za. The owner prepares and serves the dishes by himself. We arrived at our 5:00 PM reservation and were one of only two parties at that time. Afterwards, the counter was fully occupied. The fish dishes were particularly delicious and went well with the drinks. At the end of the course, we were served a delicious ochazuke. The food, which seems to be from a Michelin-starred restaurant, was all delicious and we were very satisfied. They also offer lunch, so I would like to try it next time.

Discovered a fantastic hidden gem of a Japanese lunch spot in Ginza, "Uonachi Ryori Akai". Finally made my first visit! Located on the street next to Kabuki-za, next to Cafe YOU. A small restaurant with only 11 counter seats. It seems to be Michelin Bib Gourmand recommended. I visited around 12:20 without a reservation and there were no other customers. The lunch options are a 1650 yen set meal and a 3500 yen chef's choice course. The set meal I ordered was truly amazing! [Lunch Set Meal] 1650 yen - Appetizer: Ganmo, carrot, shiitake, pumpkin - Side dish: Simmered sea bream - Sashimi: White fish and small skin - Grilled dish: Egg wrapped in fish and pickled sea bream - Rice: Freshly cooked! - Miso soup: Fish head broth The content is irresistible for fish lovers, with a gentle seasoning overall. And the freshly cooked rice is just amazing. It seems like the owner prepares all the dishes by himself. Isn't that amazing? Even the knife work on the konjac is artistic. And they also offer courses starting from 4400 yen in the evening. When I told the shy owner "It was very delicious. I will visit again", he seemed happy! It's important to convey your feelings. By the way, the restaurant's lunch information is not listed on Tabelog, so it may not be well known yet, making it a hidden gem. Lunch is available from 12:00 onwards. I've found a place I want to visit again in the evening...

I visited around 1 pm on a weekday and had the place all to myself, which made for a comfortable experience. The lunch set was 1,650 yen. ✔️ Counter seats ✔️ One staff member ✔️ Food served in about 10 minutes ✔️ Rice refills available ✔️ Each dish was carefully prepared ✔️ Non-smoking (probably) ✔️ Cash only (probably for lunch). Budget for dinner: 6,000-7,999 yen, lunch: 1,000-1,999 yen. Current operating hours are 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm (details in the fifth picture). Closed on Sundays and holidays. The fish craze was still going strong, and I had planned to go to a different restaurant further ahead, but I stumbled upon this place when my energy was running low. Each dish was carefully prepared, with thick slices of sashimi, making it feel more like a mini-course meal than a regular lunch set. #Uonosai Akai #Higashi Ginza gourmet #Higashi Ginza lunch #Ginza gourmet #Ginza lunch #Kanamin lunch #Kanamin Japanese cuisine #Solo lunch #Weekday lunch #Girls' lunch #Time difference post #Time difference Instagram

At the Kabuki-za theater. When seated at the counter, the taciturn owner asked if I wanted a set course or a regular meal, and I chose the latter. I enjoyed a variety of dishes including sashimi, simmered fish, boiled fish head, rolled omelette, marinated fish skin, and miso soup with fish broth. It was a feast of sea bream in every dish, but dealing with the small bones and scales was a bit challenging.

The food is delicious no matter what you order at night! I was taken to a lunch by my boss at a restaurant run by Mr. Akai. The menu offers a choice between set meals and courses. Since it is a small restaurant, we made a reservation just in case. Although it was supposed to be a set meal, each dish was beautifully arranged in lovely dishes. I couldn't help but think, "Isn't this a course meal?!" The service and quality were excellent! The cost performance is great. We enjoyed the meal very much.

This is a traditional Japanese restaurant located on the street next to the Kabuki-za theater. They offer only one set course for lunch (including tax, 2,750 yen). No reservation is required to dine here. I visited on a weekday afternoon when I had some time to spare, and I was able to walk in without any issues. The counter was empty as most people don't have the luxury of enjoying a course meal for lunch. I started with a bottle of beer and was served a starter of egg tofu, which also had minced meat mixed in. Next, I enjoyed deep-fried new potatoes, which had a delightful texture and slight sweetness. The sashimi consisted of sea bream, flathead fish, and horse mackerel, all with just the right amount of firmness. The grilled mackerel was topped with an abundance of seasonal vegetables, and the sauce complemented the dish well without being too sweet. I then had chilled Nanzen-ji steamed egg custard, which included plump salmon roe, shrimp, and eggplant. The simmered suzuki (sea bass) was rich and flavorful, and the meal ended with tea-infused rice porridge with plum and kelp. We also enjoyed two servings of sake, and the total bill for two people came to 4,250 yen each. It was a very satisfying lunch experience, especially if you enjoy sake.

When I called my usual restaurant and they said they were full, I called Akai, who was also BM, and they said it was okay to come. I ordered a barley shochu soda for myself, and my wife and daughter had oolong tea. We opted for the 5000 yen course. The dishes that came out were as follows: spinach and miso stew, delicious sesame-covered vegetables, sashimi with red meat, Thai fish, and gurnard, tasty mebaru potato grill, mackerel with Kyoto miso, delicious small rolled omelette, chawanmushi with udon, tasty seared anago, tender and delicious anago, buri and Tennoji kabu, buri and kabu, delicious umeboshi kombu tea rice, which had a delicious broth and was a tasty tea rice. The total for three people was 18,540 yen, which was surprisingly affordable for Ginza. I love this kind of comforting cuisine. It's truly a work of art. It's a taste that A5 grade wagyu and truffle-loving chefs can't replicate.

We made a reservation for 3 people at 18:30. It was my first visit to the restaurant located behind the Kabuki-za. Every dish was delicious, but the highlight was the beautiful tableware. The dishes and the tableware complemented each other, creating a stunning presentation. The tableware not only looked beautiful but also showcased their unique characteristics. The selection of sake was also impressive, including Snow Man from Minami Uonuma, Masayama-ryu from Yonezawa, and the popular Kaga Tobisho from Kanazawa. The eel dishes were also delicious, so I would love to come back again.

A street-level store facing a narrow alley on the east side of Kabuki-za. The store is long and narrow, with only a long counter running from the entrance to the back. I tried a dish called "kenchin" made with saury fish, and learned that kenchin is not just a soup dish. The store is operated by the owner alone, and since the kitchen is located at the back of the long counter, customers need to be mindful of the timing of their orders.

"Akai" is a Japanese restaurant located in Higashi Ginza. It is situated near the back of Kabuki-za when viewed from Showa Street in Kibamachi, where there are many other good restaurants. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance. While the a la carte menu is good, the course meals are more cost-effective. The 7-course meal is 4,000 yen, the 8-course meal is 4,700 yen, and the 9-course meal is 5,800 yen. If you want to try their famous seared conger eel, the 8-course meal for 4,700 yen is recommended! Start with a toast with beer and enjoy the appetizers. The appetizers include yam tofu, potato noodles, carrots, and shiitake mushrooms. The side dish consists of conger eel and eggplant. The sashimi platter includes three kinds of fresh fish. I switched to cold sake at this point, as they have a wide selection from all over Japan. I asked for recommendations to pair with the dishes. The grilled dishes include grilled horse mackerel, grilled conger eel, and Nanban-zuke. The main dish is a steamed pumpkin bun, which was a bit unique. Finally, the long-awaited specialty, the "seared conger eel," was served. It was fluffy and went perfectly with sake. The meal ended with a simmered dish of simmered pike conger. Just when I thought it was over, a plum and kelp tea pickle was served. Despite being a small restaurant with only a counter, it offers a homely and enjoyable dining experience. It's a hidden gem worth knowing, but do note that smoking is allowed throughout the restaurant."

A small Japanese restaurant located behind the Kabuki-za theater. Prices start at 4000 yen for omakase, which is quite reasonable. It seems to be a long-standing establishment with many regular customers. The counter extends from the entrance to the back of the restaurant, where guests can sit and order their favorite dishes. On this day, the assorted sashimi and chawanmushi were particularly good.

A small Japanese restaurant located behind the Kabuki-za theater in East Ginza. The interior has about 10 counter seats, with a distinctive red sea bream painting in front of each seat. I visited for lunch and had the 1650 yen lunch set. Considering it's in the Ginza area, the price is not high, but the quality was beyond what I expected. The set included simmered dishes, grilled dishes, sashimi, and other traditional Japanese dishes, all meticulously prepared and delicious.

The lunch set meal for 1,800 yen was meticulously prepared and well worth the effort. The food was fantastic.