伊勢重 (Iseijuu)

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すき焼きAセット、¥3000。
Sukiyaki lunch set A(3000yen + 10% service charge even at lunch time). The cheapest Sukiyaki set in the menu and the meat is the lowest rank. The meat is a mix of different parts(loin, thigh, filet etc.). The staff spread the fat in the pan, added the warishita(soy sauce, sugar, mirin) immediately without grilling any meat, and before the warishita was brought to boil, added the first few slices of meat directly. I thought the way she did it was a bit odd but I found out later that it is the style of this restaurant. After that you can cook the rest of the beef yourself, and the staff will come back and check on you, help you cook the veggy etc. I found the warishita too salty and too sweet – apparently strong warishita is traditional Tokyo style for Sukiyaki. I had to order another bowl of rice because I couldn’t eat the meat on its own. Rice is not refillable but for some reason they decided not to charge me this time.
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牛ヒレカツレツ、¥2700。
Beef filet cutlet lunch set(2700yen). The set includes beef tataki, salad and ice-cream. At first I thought the round thing was Calamari but it was actually onion ring. The beef was tender.
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すうぷ煮Aセット、¥3600。
Shabu-shabu A set(3600yen). Also the lowest rank.
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角煮揚ごはん、¥800。牛ヒレステーキごはん、¥1000。
They sell meat right next door and also do take-away bento which are quite cheap(compared to the price of the restaurant menu).
Kakuni-age Gohan(800yen). Fried pork in a sauce that is basically thickened warishita….the pork is nice but the sauce is again too salty+sweet for me.
Beef filet steak Gohan(1000yen). The beef is surprisingly good quality for the price. Though there are only a few pieces so you need some side dish to finish the rice, which is plenty.
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真正牛鍋ごはん、¥900。焼豚ごはん、¥750。
Gyu-nabe Gohan(900yen). Basically sukiyaki on rice – it’s quite nice. Not too strong-tasting.
Yaki-buta Gohan. Under the salad is grilled pork(pic here). So-so.

I haven’t visited that many Sukiyaki and Shabu-shabu restaurants so it is hard to judge but I think I prefer Imahan Banyou(see posts here) more than Isejuu.

Menu(J): 1, 2.

伊勢重 (Iseijuu)
Add: 14-9 Kodenmacho, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku
Tel: 03-3663-7841

今半万窯 (Imahan Banyoh)

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2735855180096864855EASwsg_fs4725yen set with sukiyaki beef, vegetables, rice, miso soup and a small dessert. Expensive but good quality Japanese beef restaurant which is very famous and has many branches. I have never been to the original restaurant in Ningyocho but this branch, located between Yoyogi and Shinjuku stations, is spacious and has comfortable private rooms. And if you ask, the pretty lady in kimono will cook and serve you every slice of beef while you eat – very important service as I have wasted very good beef due to my crappy cooking before….Last time I came(see tag), I had the full course cos I wasn’t the one paying, while this time I had the more modest set which I found satisfying enough. There are also cheaper sets only available at lunch time, but if you make reservations in advance, there is a minimum charge of 2500yen per person.
Imahan Banyoh 今半万窯
Add: Southern Tower Building 4F, Shinjuku Southern Terrace, 2-2-1 Yoyogi Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3375-1919
Open: 11:00-23:00 (No holidays)

UPDATES! (2007 Nov)
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Tried the shabu-shabu too. Too bad I didn’t take pics of the shabu hotpot.

The appetizer and the beef sushi are okay but nothing special. Better to just order shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, or steak, which are the most satisfying.