Okonomiyaki at IRORI

What has Toshi SO Excited? "econony yaki"

Talk to people about Japanese food and those not in the know or might say; "I don't like fish." or "I won't eat raw things." or "I lived on Ramen in school." However, Japanese food is so highly diverse that labeling the cuisine with such simple genre labels is nearly impossible.

One such gastronomical delights that gets overlooked is Okonomiyaki. A savory pancake whose name means literally "what you like, grilled". Commonly prepared in a grill-it-yourself style using teppan grills at the table. Diners are invited to work their food themselves.

This evening we were taken to Irori by Toshi our sales colleague from the Tokyo office of AutoForm Japan K.K. We found it in Kagurazaka, near the Iidabashi station which we reached on by the "N" subway line.

Irori card back (my notes added)

Irori calling card

Not to be missed in my opinion is this charming way of enjoying a meal and company in Japan. Teppenyaki has its following both in Japan and abroad but the communal methods for Okonomiyaki make it a favorite for us as we spend a nice time together all contributing to the meal.

Novices need not fear this Japanese meal as you don't need to put anything in the pancake unless you think you will like it. As a result, nearly every new griller will find that the Okonomiyaki is perfect and good, after all you pick the ingredients and cook it. No one to blame but yourself...

Prepare to say good bye Okonomiyaki; You are going DOWN!!!

Of course there are other things to eat besides the Pancake. We ordered some beef and vegtables (not pictured).

Wagyu Beef

As a kind of starter we opted for several grams of Wagyu beef. I shudder to think what the three slabs fetch at the market but certainly a pretty penny as Wagyu is by far the most valued and sought after varietal of beef there is.

Wagyu beef is notable for its marbled islands of meat in a sea of fat

The beef is amazingly high in fat, though surprisingly beneficial with higher ratios of Monosaturated fats to saturated fat and rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids making it "reasonably" healthful as opposed to western beef. Or so the author will contest while considering downing large servings of the delish meat.