Life, food, events, and community in Albuquerque, NM

Where all the Japanese are

Using the suggestions kindly provided in comments for a previous post, I made rounds. The result is not very encouraging... In order of increased pleasure:

Azuma - rejected sight unseen.

Mirai Express - turned out to be a fast food. Decent for what it is, but not what I wanted.

Kokoro - really small, 3 tables. Watch your timing. Also, customers pour their own tea, and I manged to fumble that operation.

Samurai - More or less ok, I guess. Run by Chinese.

Midori - That's actually a good location. Very sketchy menu, however. And I mean it. Good Boston roll.

And the winner is... Japanese Kitchen. They basically are what I expect... with one exception: no tonkatsu.

This is something that really surprised me, and of course I was unable to pass this over, having travelled to Tokyo with an express desire to dine in Tonkatsu Tonki and all. They do not serve pork in any of the places I visited. Seriously, what's up with that? Is this Iranistan or something?

Japanese Kitchen even goes as far as listing a "katsudon" on its menu, which turns out to be made with a chicken katsu. Clearly something is up, but what?

I suppose I am going to camp at Japanese Kitchen from now on, and visit San Francisco when I feel like having nabeyaki.

Quick update: Shogun fell through cracks by accident, but I do not expect any pork miracles there.

17 Comments

Comment by misterhinkydink on August 4, 2008 at 8:52pm: If you become a regular at JK, they'll pretty much make you whatever you want. They do have a decent nabeyaki udon.

Comment by SweetCaroline on August 5, 2008 at 9:08am: If you don't mind the ride and can afford the gas, head for Ichi Ban at Coors & Alameda. Terrific Japanese food. Friendly staff - skilled sushi chefs.

Comment by Monica on August 5, 2008 at 9:38am: I used to live in Japan and I would have to say the best Japanese restaurant that ever existed here in Albuquerque was the Minato of Japan. My family and I were devastated when they closed a few years ago. To be honest I haven't been to any other Japanese restaurant (and trust me, I've been to all of them) here in Albuquerque thats impressed me

Comment by Brendan on August 5, 2008 at 9:51am: Which Samurai did you go to? There's one on Gibson and another on Montgomery. Other places worth visiting:

Shogun in nob hill. Also Sushi&Sake (Attached to the Korean Bbq House) in Nob hill.

There's a place on Montgomery between Morris and Juan Tabo on the north side of the street that's supposed to be good, but I haven't been there and can't think of the name. It is not Mr Tokyo.

You might like Mr Sushi on Juan Tabo/Menaul. I've had really good and really bad experiences there. It's run by one of the sushi chefs who broke away from Japanese Kitchen (Genzo-san).

Comment by Pete Zaitcev on August 5, 2008 at 10:10am: Brendan, I suspect you're thinking about Midori @6205 Montgomery. It has salad green doors ("midori" means the color of green).

Comment by steve on August 5, 2008 at 10:26am: Kokoro had Tonkatsu last time i was there. Try the Robata at Japanese Kitchen! Definitely check out Noda's in Rio Rancho.

Comment by Brendan on August 5, 2008 at 10:48am: Nope- Midori is much further west (I've really enjoyed them whenever we have gone. Great dragon roll). The place I'm thinking of used to be Minato of Japan. It was one of Albuquerque's earliest and swankiest Japanese restaurants, complete with private tatami rooms, but it closed several years ago. The address is 10721 Montgomery NE if you want to look and see what is there now. As I understood it, it's still a Japanese restaurant, with korean food as well. Now that I don't live in the neighborhood it could be a Chuck-E-Cheese though, so don't go on my recommendation ;-)

Comment by jeff on August 5, 2008 at 11:04am: minato's became eurasia bistro which became pacific rim cafe....i think.
i suppose i need to give JK another try - i ate there once during lunch at the teppan table and had what i can only describe as slop.
i thought that flavors at kokoro were pretty on the mark.

Comment by Camian on August 5, 2008 at 11:16am: Being that you have high standards, which I totally appreciate, go down to Noda's in Rio Rancho. Sorry if I offend, but I avoid R.R. at all costs, and Noda's is definitely the only restaurant worthy of a trip over the river. There are only a few tables (like 6-8) and the owners do a "special" menu on off nights if you call them. Do not run away when you see the sad little strip mall it's in, it's all part of their subterfuege....

As far as fave Sushi in the metro, I am a big fan of Crazy Fish on Central. The owner, Ono, is Japanese and my family and I have followed his happenings for about 15 years now. He's not the most talkative, "friendly" individual, but he is a perfectionist and an artist. Make sure he's there and not busy if you would like chat with him about creating a more authentic, individualized meal.

Happy Eating!!

Comment by Coffee Freak on August 5, 2008 at 11:45am: Did anyone recomend Sushi Gen?

Where all the Japanese are

You need to be a member of Duke City Fix to add comments!

Groups

Burqueños at the Inauguration

Neil Patrick Harris Fan Club

Living Green

ABQ Web Geeks

Downtown Dwellers

Albuquerque Yoga