Fu-Ru-Ken Restaurant, Tokyo, Japan
Sometimes work truly does have benefits and pay-backs. Not only did I get to know more about my client with whom we were dining, namely Noel Kelaita, but we went to do that over some incredible authentic Japanese food, courtesy of Fu-Ru-Ken.
I can’t tell you where it was, because the business card is all written in Japanese.
It was just so perfect up a side street off the main drag in one of Tokyo’s bustling suburbs. Walk up a slight incline and see a small sign of a red box and some Japanese writing. Very small and unassuming though, perhaps not even A4 in size. Up to the first floor, shoes off (whoops I forgot about my rather gaudy socks), private room, low seats, peaceful, nothing flash at all, it just felt so perfect. Hideki-san and Hiroko-san are my work colleagues, and Noel-san I mentioned before, all sat, chatting, laughing, drinking and of course eating.
As you know from previous blogs, fish and I are not best friends when it comes to consuming them. As you know I have no issue cooking them, but chewing them after is not my favourite taste in the world. Now I’ll eat them raw but will draw a line at anything oily – like mackerel. I just do not dig the taste of that at all, so very fishy.
So the funny thing was that Fu-Ru-Ken is about 80% fish, and is banquet style with many many courses – oh sh!t!!! What to do as Noel-san had recommended this joint, chew on bravely or be honest and cough up? I did the latter.
They were all fine with my situation, in fact, the waitress then suggested how about we get one meat and one fish-style banquet. Now that sounds cool, and the rest of our dinner colleagues all agreed it was a great idea.
Phew thought I, saved at the last minute. Now what she didn’t say was that of the 11 meat courses only one is meat, one is vegetable and the other NINE are fish, ha ha ha ha.
Blimey that’ll be a test – yep I’ll have another beer and a large Saki please sweetheart, I may need some help swallowing. But what transpired dish after dish after dish was that I gave them all a go, some were exquisite and some I could just not consume.
One by one I’ll step you through that now. Apologies in advance for the photo quality. I only had an iPhone with me, and the room was quite low-lit.
And first up is the eel. Wow, they’re giving me an easy start, NOT. Deep fried eel in a light batter, served with ponzu jelly, and some vegetables. I have to say this was bloody good.
The eel is not fishy at all, and surprisingly not earthy either – it was just nice and smoky in flavour and then offset by the citrus jelly. Hey not bad, like it!!!
So using my spoon to move some of that cheese aside, yep there’s all the fishy bits. Let’s go. Another beer and Saki, please. Again actually this turned out really nice. I could not eat the fish, but the abalone with the cheese was damned good. Chalk up two, and chalk up two rather nice dishes.
So to the serious bit, I suppose.
Another major thank you to Noel-san, Hideki-san and Hitoko-san for such a wonderful evening and experience. I did indeed need a few beers afterwards ha ha. It was great.
Beautiful restaurant with truly amazing food. I would encourage us all to have a go, and turn off those ‘I can’t eat it attitudes’. Seriously at least try and if you don’t like that’s fine, but at least you tried.
I think the UK should adopt a more Japanese and Spanish style of eating – tapas rocks as you can try many dishes and if one does not take your fancy, hey you got another 10 dishes coming.
So please try. And if you happen to be in Tokyo pop along to Fu-Ru-Ken. Just brilliant!!!
Fu-Ru-Ken Restaurant Address: Tokyo, Minato-ku, Nishi-Azabu 2-25-12 Nishi-Azabu Eitobiru 2F
