In the heart of Tsukiji
Shinjuku branch of this sushi bar
My first visit to Nobu was in Tokyo where I thought would be the best place to sample the Peruvian-Japanese fusion rather than the outposts elsewhere in the world. It was a very expensive meal, with high quality produce nonetheless. It was the famous miso black cod that lured me the most and indeed it was clearly the most sublime and remarkably delicious umami dish on the menu and one of the best dishes I'd ever had.
Since then I've had the copycat versions in many other places, including a better fatty tuna belly (ootoro) version in Fujiyoshi (http://eatlikeushi.posthaven.com/fujiyoshi-japan-01-2012). But I'll always credit Nobu will introducing the dish to me.
Located in the department store area of Roppongi.
This French brasserie in the expensive gaijin territory of Roppongi lured me in with its lunch set menu. It is the first time I've ever eaten beef heart and the meat was unique and endearing with a distinct flavour. I've never looked back since then and cooked my own beef heart steak, eaten the hearts of a turtle, lamb, pig, chicken (makes me sound quite the killer) and of course beef in corazon skewers.
It was the prelude to watching Hawthorn football club win the 2008 premiership. Yes!
A more extensive kaitensushi near Shinjuku east with a wider variety of plates and costs. Specialising in aburi (grilled) and therefore those are the most expensive dishes.
The first place I'd been in Japan that served whale (at least that was translated onto the English part of the menu). Strongly flavoured, not that memorable. I think I'd have to try it again to know but probably isn't really worth it (and the controversy...)
This Japanese grill yakiniku was so good that I went two nights in a row. That and I'd run out of specific Japanese food options I particularly wanted to try in Shinjuku east (I'd basically already had a ramen, an udon, a kaitenzushi, a sushi bar, tempura and then the grill).
There are lots of types of meats with focus on beef kalbiwith various marbling grades. All in all an excellent dirty dining experience.
Japan's most famous and one of the world's most expensive cheeseburgers. The hype is over nothing. Sure the chips are thicker but the burger isn't much better than McDonald's.
