Shangri-La Tokyo and others...

Shangri-La Tokyo has been opened in March, 2009, in the middle of downtown Tokyo.

As the last one to end the opening rash of 5star hotels in Tokyo.

Seven international luxury 5star hotels have been opened within 8 years.

Started from Four Seasons Tokyo at Marunouchi in '02, Grand Hyatt in '03, CONRAD in '05, Mandarin Oriental in '06, The Ritz-Carlton and The Peninsula in '07.

There was a debate about opening so many hotels in Tokyo within such a short period of time... Many people from the industry worried about too much competition in business and loosing talented staff from their hotels.

Why so many hotels have been opened recently, anyway?

After Japanese economy crashed in late 80's, the real estate price in Tokyo dropped down drastically and Japanese government has eased the regulations for mixed-use development in '02. So, it was easier for the investors and developers in Tokyo to invite those international hotel brands to open up their hotels in Tokyo and revitalize the economy.

Somehow, most of the hotels, both the old ones and the new ones, managed  to keep their businesses because of the different needs in the market and growing number of foreign visitors in Tokyo. And also, they have managed to train their staff to replace those talented staff who moved to new opening hotels.

By the way, the luxury 5star hotels have been opening up in Taipei as well! Hopefully it brings the same result as in Tokyo...

Memoirs of Tokyo -Tsukiji "築地"-

Last September, I went back home, Tokyo, after 1 year and 9 months...
So many new things happening! New restaurants, hotels, subways, highways,etc..., 
I felt like I was a visitor in my home! 
So, I would like to share my experiences in Tokyo with you all...

One morning, woke up at 4:30am. I went to Tukiji Market, the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world, with my father who is the owner chef of sushi restaurant in Nakano, Tokyo.

I found very nice scampi and took a picture of it. Then, suddenly, someone from behind shouted at me!!
"Hey, you! No picture! Go!"
The guy obviously thought I was a Chinese tourist and I could see he didn't like them....
I don't know about the manners of the tourist in the market but the way how the guy in Tsukiji market treated me was very rude! I was very shamed... He could have just told me that I should not take pictures instead of shouting. And also, he should have known that the business in Tsukiji market is no longer good as it used to be and it relies so much on the tourist... 

"Shizuoka" sake dinner 静岡銘酒と季節懐石の宴



We have invited a fine sake brewer from Shizuoka prefecture, Japan, to introduce their one of the best sake from the celler which have never been to Taiwan before!

So, I have created a seasonal "kaiseki" set menu to go with those four different types of fine sake.

This time, we have limited the guests only up to 20 in order to keep our quality of food and service standards high. Those lucky 20 guests of ours had enjoyed both of sake and the dinner, and even got souvenir of a bottle of sake and a sake cup. So, all of them left with big smile on their red face! (^^;)

 

"肉じゃが -Niku jyaga-" simmered potato and beef with vegetables in savory broth

"Niku jyaga" is one of the most popular and well known Japanese dishes.
It can be a signature dish of a restaurant and also can be a taste of Japanese "Mother".
Every mother (or even grand mother) of Japanese family has their own taste and recipe.

It is quite simple. Usually sliced beef, chunks of potato, carrot, onion and some other vegetables simmered in a bonito and konbu flavored "dashi" stock with sugar, rice wine and soy sauce. 

So, I have put a little more thoughts into it and tried to make it different.
Yet, it still makes you remind of your mother!

Outside is grated potato mixed with sticky rice powder, make it as a skin of the bun.

Inside is dice cut beef and vegetables, simmered as same as regular "Niku jyaga"

Special Bento Box for Japanese VIP guest

        

We are expecting top VIP guest who is a chairman of big Japanese company. He will be staying with us, Shangri-La Taipei, for a few days in the end of the month.

Today, prior to his visit, a couple of his employees came to my restaurant to see how is the bento box for their chairman looks like and also taste ok or not. As most of hoteliers know, Japanese guests have very high demands for every details....

So, they took some pictures to bring them back to Japan and discuss with their supervisors for final confirmation. They do anything to please their boss and it takes a lot of work, many processes and time...

I am Japanese myself, but seeing like this, it makes me feel happy to be outside of Japanese society! 

Well, actually we do too anything to please our guests each and every time but... Or, just not being a Japanese "Salary man" (white-collar businessman) making me happy!?

Anyways, one of the guys who tried the bento box was so happy with the taste. He didn't even take 5mins to finish them all, though he just had lunch before came to the restaurant!!

So, I was very happy to see them happy and I believe their chairman will be happy too!

First box:

"Kanpyo maki rolls with Inari sushi" "poached Zuwai crab meat with Tosazu jelly"

"Poached spinach with bonito flavored savory broth"

"Homemade Japanese sweet omelet and mixed grated radish with soy sauce on top

Second box:  

"Teppanyaki assorted vegetables"

"New style Nikujaga, (simmered wagyubeef, potato and vegetables staffed in potato bun)"