TOKYO: Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima ( 1 Michelin Star )

So I've already said that I'm a brand/michelin chaser. So how could I ever pass on the chance to eat at  the cheapes/most affordable Michelin restaurant in Tokyo?! I WILL HUNT IT DOWN EVEN IF IT REQUIRES ME TO WALK HALF A DAY! 

Well, I suppose their Michelin star was probably awarded for their dinner set, but hey, a michelin restaurant is still a Michelin restaurant :D

Located in Shinjuku, it's inconveniently located sorta underground one of a nondescript building. I had so much difficulty finding it because apple maps was just making me walk round and round and round. Well, thanks apple maps, because of the walking, I found out where Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku branch was located. Lol, not really a challenge since unless youre blind, you wouldn't miss that huge line extended out to the pavement. 

After what was around a half an hour intense search, I FINALLY REACHED. 

They open at 11.30am, so please reach 15minutes early or on time if you don't want to be waiting for long. I reached at 11.45am (BECAUSE I WAS LOST urgh) and there were about 10 people in front of me. 

4 set lunches. 800 yean EACH, except for 1 that is 900yen.

Each set comes with your choice of how you want sardine to be cooked, rice and tsukemono (picked veg), miso soup and hot green tea. Quick tip, it seems like most foreigners do not know this (because can't read japanese, duh) but you're able to order the sardine as an ala carte as well.

I had to try ALL the 4 different ways of cooking the sardine. So I opted for 2 sets and 2 ala carte. 

The couple beside me looked on surprised. The elderly service staff must have thought I was mad " 2 SETS?! "  They didn't think a small petite asian like me could stomach everything. But as my colleague once said " I thought she was gonna eat the whole restaurant down" 

crumbed and fried

Simmered in soy sauce daishi

Sashimi tossed in sesame

egg in sizzling hot pot

Very very satisfied with this meal. My favourite is the simmered Sardine.
I've recommended this restaurant multiple times to all my friends and those who've tried it were all very impressed.
I definitely think this restaurant is first grade and a MUST GO!

Will come back for their dinner in a few months time when I'm in Tokyo :D

Nakajima

B1 Nichihara Building, 3-32-5 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan

T: +81 333564534 (reservations for lunch not allowed) 
Closed on sundays and public holidays.

SHANGHAI: Fu He Hui 1 Michelin Star

I've been to Shanghai 3 times in the last one year now. While I may not have been able to eat my way across the city but I think I can definitely say with lots of pride that I've tried my best in hunting down all the ones that I feel are unique and worth parting the money for. 

I remember when I first went to Shanghai a decade back, everything was so cheap, I was literally spending my money without thinking. But in the last few years, Shanghai has definitely had some really good restaurants sprouting up that are almost the same price as fine dining restaurants in Australia or even more. 

I admit I'm a brand whore, I'm a Michelin chaser. How excited was I when Shanghai was included in the Michelin guide last year ! One restaurant which really caught my attention was Fu He Hui.

I'm a meat eater. I tried going vegetarian last year once just for the fun of it, and I suffered tremendously. After one week, I walked past the beef section in the supermarket and I hallucinated. I saw the beef calling out my name asking me to take it home and cook it. So I bought 2 grain fed angus scotch fillet and cooked them medium rare, YUM. 

End of my vegetarian journey. 

1* Michelin for 2 years running and one of the 2 restaurants to make it to world's 50 best this year, I definitely definitely recommend this restaurant. I can't imagine any carnivore hating on this, it makes clean, healthy eating tasty. 

And I love their interior. It's outfitted in a neutral palette of earth and grey tones with lots of stone, wood and fabrics. It was so zen, I felt so calm and at peace and even more so since they gave me a private room all to myself. If not for the service staff  ( by the way, the service staff were also v zen looking, seems likes it's predominantly male and they mostly all have shaven heads... Is that a pre-requisite to employment? ) bringing my set menu items and disrupting the serenity and tranquility, I could have meditated until I achieved immortality. okay just kidding.

They serve 3 set menus - 380, 680, 880yuan.

ALWAYS ALWAYS GO FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE. 

oh I also had some really expensive tea ( da hong pao) , It was like almost 100yuan :/

MY FAVOURITE DISH. 

Please do yourself a favour and eat at this restaurant at least once when you're in Shanghai. If I could have such wonderful vegetarian meals everyday, I wouldn't mind being a monk. 

1037 Yuyuan Road, Changning District, Shanghai

For bookings: +8639809188 ( they speak limited english)