Tag: smoked meat

An izakaya in Kanda serving smoked foods: Kemuri

Just across Takemura (one of my favorite sweet cafes in Tokyo) I noticed an izakaya. Looking at the menu affixed outside I noticed that they specialized in smoked foods. Very interesting concept! I had to try it.

The visit

It was early on a Saturday evening and I was the first customer. I sat on a bar chair in the ground floor room (a bit uncomfortable). They also have tables upstairs.

I ordered their mixed platter with five items. It has BBQ pork, duck, bacon, rice cake, and olives (two). It was ok, but that one of the five promised items was a pair of olives seemed cheating.

They had smoked mentaiko that was good as usual.

Finally I had their smoked salmon salad that was quite good.

The check

The check for these three snack-size dishes was 4,080 yen (38 USD). For what it was, it was too much.

The concept of a smoked food izakaya was great, but it was poorly implemented. The food was clearly an afterthought, just a side for drinks. It is not an izakaya where you can have a serious meal. What a shame.

Where in Tokyo:
1 Chome-11-5 Kanda Sudacho, Chiyoda City.
In Japanese: 〒101-0041 東京都千代田区神田須田町１丁目１１−5.

Smoking good smoked meat at Tock’s in Shanghai

This is Shanghai: with its thriving expat community it can offer food from all over the world. So no surprise if one of my little pleasures when I visit Shanghai is eating mouth-watering smoked meat Montreal style at Tock’s.

A view of the storefront on Henan Middle Road, now closed.

The visit(s)

I have eaten at Tock’s only a couple of times in the second part of 2018. I wish I had more chances.

They have a Western styled environment including some booths (the staff is so kind to let me sit in a booth when I go there very early and there are not too many customers).

Apparently the Canadian Prime Minister visited them.

The highlight of their menu is smoked meat. They have beef (that can be ordered lean, medium fatty or fatty) and duck. The 3 meat platter is a great way to sample the offering. I like all of their smoked meat. Maybe surprisingly I will say that the smoked duck is their winner, it really has a deep flavor!

Tock’s is also the place where I can have a Reuben sandwich time to time. The medium one is enough to satisfy an hungry customer like yours truly.

The checks

The checks above show that a visit won’t break the bank. The big platter is 98 CNY (14.50 USD) and the Reuben medium is 80 CNY (12 USD).

Overall I find Tock’s a nice food experience and reasonable value for money.

Where in Shanghai:
221 Henan Zhong Lu.
Address in Chinese: 请带我去 河南中路221号
Closest Metro station: East Nanjing Road.

The location I used to patronize as to early 2020 is closed. They have another location in Fengsheng Li, but I have not tried it.