da burger wing hub

Went to Da Burger Wing Hub with V in Wahiawa

They are in the same strip mall as Shige’s so parking can be challenging 

We were lucky to get a stall

Their onion rings seem popular because everyone was ordering them

The coating is super crispy

V had their Juicy Lucy : 8 ounce wagyu, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, homemade jalapeno cheese sauce, avocado, chili aioli

And I tried their BBQ burger : 8 ounce wagyu, BBQ pork (pulled pork), peppered bacon, cheddar cheese, fried onions (huge onion ring!) BBQ sauce, pepper jack cheese

Huge burgers! cooked to order

I’m glad we got to try them. V said she wants to try other sandwiches too!

Thanks for today V! was nice spending some time with you 

And thank you for sharing your sister’s avocado, so ono

Da Burger Wing Hub

93 N Kam Highway

Wahiawa, Honolulu

Hours: 10:00-20:00 Mondays-Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 10:00-21:00, Saturdays 9:00-21:00, Sundays 9:00-19:00

nihonbashi

back in 2024, the area near Tokyo Station had all these walls with artwork on them

they were building a high rise

 

The other day, I was surprised to see the artwork gone and the building almost finished

Apparently it is part of the Bus Terminal in the area 

Love that there are places to sit, look forward to exploring this area later this year

Love the art work in the window of Nihonbashi Takashimaya

There were all sorts of sea creatures and they had the sounds that they make running on a speaker

Lunch was at Brozers...if you look at the katakana for the name the phonetics sound like it is Brothers

anyway, the daily burger was their Chili Burger...slightly spicy chili with tons of pepper on the burger!...1550 yen (plus tax)

the pepper caught me off guard which made me cough

Overall the burger was beefy, juicy and delicious

I'm glad I tried this place and look forward to trying their pastrami sandwich, I'll be back

Brozers

Nihonbashi Takashimaya 7F

Chuo, Tokyo

Closed: when Takashimaya is

Hours: 11:00-21:30

crane

Have had Crane on my "to try" list for some time now after they were on a Jdrama about burgers.

It is a tiny burger shop that seats about 20 people. 

When I got there, it was about 10 minutes before opening time and there was a large group of 8 high school students before me...

After I was seated, all the other seats filled up

I ordered the Luther Burger....1850 yen (plus tax) and an oolong tea 190 yen (plus tax)

apparently a Luther Burger uses a doughnut instead of a bun and is apparently named after singer Luther Vandross.

Anyway, the glaze on this burger was so krazy sticky!

I had the hardest time getting it into this paper wrapper and then to eat it...glaze everywhere!

But, this smash style burger was so ono! peppery, meaty and juicy

It is topped with super crispy bacon (a rarity), tomato, lettuce and cheese.

And even though I thought I wiped up all the glaze all over my face, aiyah! to all the people who didn't tell me I had doughnut glaze on my nose columella (had to look up what it was called) and tip of my nose...guess no one looks at people's faces anymore...

Anyway, they have this super cheesy burger that is viral that I wouldn't mind trying...I'll be back.

Crane

6-16-3 Sotokanda

Chiyoda, Tokyo

Open daily: 11:30-21:30

the daley

Got to meet up with V and her daughter A for lunch at The Daley

Not sure when I bookmarked this place to try but it has been on my list for awhile

They do smash burgers and their menu is pretty simple: burgers, fries, drinks.

Their burgers are grilled medium with onions, a special sauce, pickles and cheese and their fries are crispy

Thank you V, I'm glad we got to see each other again and I'm glad we got to try this place

A gave us this bag clip, metal straw and her yummy guava jelly

V shared with us this huge avocado and a mango

Thanks for today V & A!

The Daley

1110 Nuuanu Avenue

Honolulu, Hawaii

Open daily: 11:00-until they run out

thankful

Yesterday after physical therapy, I went to Akasaka for lunch at Authentic

Had this place on my “to try” list after seeing it on a J-drama

They have been in business since 2006

Had the whole place to myself..whoo!

Avocado Burger

I added bacon, and it comes with fries

Iced oolong tea...1872 yen (tax included)

Delicious, meaty, super messy!

The fries were just okay

I’m glad I tried this place, and will be back whenever I’m in the area.

After lunch I went buy cakes from Shirotae

I’ve had them on my “to try” list ever since we lived in Osaka.

They have been in business since 1976 and are super popular

I’ve heard there is almost always a line.

The shop is quite small, so be prepared to wait.

Stand on the left of the door if you are taking out.

Stand on the right if you will be eating there.

Go ahead of the line if you already have pre-ordered.

Love the door handles!

cheesecake 300 yen (plus tax) so dense, rich and creamy

chocolat noir 470 yen (plus tax) the top reminded me of dobash cake 

paysanne 470 yen (plus tax) this had apples, and a crème brûlée top, super airy 

It was so hard to choose! and the ones we tried were super delicious

will have to go back to try others

thankful for another trip around the sun

Authentic

2-18-19 Akasaka

Minato, Tokyo

Open daily 11:00-15:30 (lunch), 17:30-21:30 (dinner)

*cash only

Shirotae

4-1-4 Akasaka

Minato, Tokyo

Closed: Sundays & Mondays

Hours: 10:30-19:30

*cash only

juicy burger

Sunday, we walked down to Juicy Burger.

I always see this shop when I am on the bus to Haneda.

It isn't too close to where we live, in fact, to walk there took us a little over an hour.

The interior has a kinda American, skateboard, rap music vibe

How's that cabinet that looks like a big boom box or DJ turntable?!

Satoshi had their bacon egg...980 yen (tax included)

with a coffee...200 yen (tax included)

medium fries...300 yen (tax included)

He said he enjoyed this
 

I had their chili cheese...950 yen (tax included)

and a small ginger ale...200 yen (tax included)

The chili could have been spicier but I liked the beefy-ness of the patty.

The fries were delicious, crinkle cut

And the bun was delicious too, especially since they toast it.

I wouldn't mind trying their taco rice, Satoshi was also eyeing their loco moco.

Like I said, they aren't too close to where we live, but I think we'll be back.

Juicy Burger

1-4-5 Haneda

Ota, Tokyo

Open daily 11:00-15:00 (lunch), 17:00-21:00 (dinner) 

*cash only

shawarma-ish smash burger

Have been craving a burger for awhile now

And then I went down a scrolling rabbit hole on IG and stumbled upon lazy smashburger wraps

Which made me want to make one

But first I needed shawarma flatbread

So I tried a recipe that I found online

When I converted it to make 1 serving, the converter on the site didn’t cut back the amount of oil, I should’ve paid more attention to the measurements but didn’t realize it, so I ended up with too much oil in my dough..ick

So I threw it out though I probably should’ve added more flour instead of wasting all the ingredients, but at this point I was kinda getting hangry.

I started over and mixed all the ingredients for the shawarma flatbread, it was kind of dry and not too pliable and without letting it sit like the recipe directs, I cooked it in a frying pan 

Then made my smashburger similar to what I saw online

After it was cooked I added some hummus and veggies.

I should’ve smashed my burger thinner but overall it was good and tasty despite all the obstacles and not being able to "wrap" it.

Dunno if I'll make this again, but if I do, I’ll look for tortillas or buy naan from the curry shop nearby 

back to kakumei burger

Back in October, I tried Kakumei Burger. 

I had wanted Satoshi to try them too, but in November, they closed for renovations...

So, the other day, since Satoshi had the day off, I got a chance to pick up some lunch for us.

Satoshi had their bacon cheeseburger (no photo).

I ordered their ume shiso fish burger. 

This was so good! The fish is lightly fried in sesame oil and there is an ume shiso paste as well as myoga and other veggies in the sandwich.

Each burger comes with fries or obanzai, so I chose the obanzai which is 3 types of veggies.

Kinpira, yuzu daikon and mizuna with aburaage.

The veggies change depending on what the owner can get and the season.

This was definitely a nice alternative to fries.

Satoshi enjoyed his burger and I enjoyed my fish burger, we'll be back to take out other items from their menu. 

kakumei burger

Kakumei Burger opened sometime late last year.

I finally got around to trying them.

I ordered their avocado cheeseburger.

This comes with fries or obanzai.

Obanzai are little veggie side dishes.

The fries were okay after the walk home, next time I'm going to try their obanzai instead.
 

The burger was juicy (no fillers) with lots of cheese and avocado.

There are other items on their menu I want to try, I'll be back.

Kakumei Burger

7-10-10 Kamata

Ota, Tokyo

Phone: 080.7134.7875

Closed Tuesdays

Hours: 11:00-15:00 (lunch), 18:00-22:00 (dinner)

10 minutes

So in 5 minutes I told you about grilling canned fish...well, in 10 you can grill hamburgers and veggies...

Just flip the burger at 5 minutes.

If your veggies are bigger, then flip at 5 minutes too...some of mine fell through the grill and it reminded me of playing the game "operation" (probably dated myself by saying that)...

so many fun and easy things to cook in the fish grill drawer.

Have a nice weekend!

oh em gee

Mother Nature has been slamming us around dropping the temps to fahreezing rain one day...blazing the next.

Because it was so warm, I tried Who's Tea Japan's chocolate milk tea boba the other day.

I loved it, you could still taste the tea without the chocolate overpowering everything.

On the other hand, look how teeny the patty was in my teriyaki burger at Burger King.

Where's the beef?!

So...there are 15 confirmed with this corona virus thingy in Japan...

There were 2 who came back from Wuhan and REFUSED to be checked and went home! (gasp!)

After much bashing from the media (and the fact that there were 2 others in the same group that came back from Wuhan that had the virus without showing any symptoms)...the 2 that went without being checked now want to be checked out...grr!

I was hoping that Japan would have closed the country to those from China before their Chinese New Year holiday (I was also hoping that China would stop their residents from travel too)...but that didn't happen...

So now, I am hoping the Japanese government will be able to control this from getting too krazy...stay safe everyone.

Have a nice weekend.

Who's Tea Japan (2021: no longer in business)
Tokyu Plaza Kamata 1F
Ota, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6424.7957
Hours: 10:00-21:00
Open when Tokyu Plaza is

gotanda

The place that I go for rehab is closed on Thursdays (I'm getting my shoulder treated), so I try to go galavanting on these days.

This week, I went to Gotanda, which is at one end of our train line.

I first bought some baked goods from Sugi-no-ki which we'll try tomorrow for breakfast.

As I was waiting at the traffic light to make my way to Les Cacaos, I noticed a woman standing close by with several large paper shopping bags filled with boxes.

On the boxes said 7025 Franklin Avenue...which reminded me that I had bookmarked that restaurant....so I stopped in for lunch.

This shop is "fancy" but they serve burgers and sandwiches...it was fun watching the guys in the kitchen "do their thing".

Cutting sandwich towers with precision.

Another frying up burgers on the griddle.

Towers of paper boxes for take out orders.

The delivery staff running in and out.

The shop was only open half an hour and they were doing steady business with their take out orders.

I ordered the 1/4 pound chili cheese burger.

The bun was toasted, cheese oozy and the chili could have been spicier.

I enjoyed this and look forward to coming back to try other items on their menu.

After lunch, I went across to Les Cacaos, a chocolate shop.

The chocolatier/owner worked under Pierre Marcolini.

I purchased the fig orange chocolate cake, pistachio cherry cake, speculoos cookie and dark chocolate cookie.

The cookies are thick and crisp.

The cakes are moist.

Everything was delicious.

I look forward to going back to try their cakes from their showcase.

The weather has been grey, cold, drizzly.

I hope the weather is sunny where you are.

7025 Frankline Avenue
3-15-18 Higashi Gotanda
Shinagawa, Tokyo
Phone: 03.3441.5028
Closed Tuesdays
Hours: Mondays 11:00-15:00, Wednesdays-Saturdays 11:00-21:00, Sundays 11:00-18:00

Les Cacaos
2-19-2 Higashi Gotanda
Shinagawa, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6450.2493
Closed Tuesdays
Hours: 11:00-19:00

gaienmae & azabujuban

Wednesday, Satoshi had the day off, so we went to check out the ginkgo trees near Gaienmae.

The tops are kind of dried out, but the lower part of the trees are turning yellow.

We had lunch at Shake Shack because "someone" was starving and didn't want to look for somewhere else to eat.

He had the single shack burger while I tried the shack-cago dog...this dog was disappointing...

They cut the sausage lengthwise to cook it and the bun fell apart...messy eats.

Then we walked to the National Art Center of Tokyo.

We didn't go inside but I'm sure Satoshi will when there is an exhibit he is interested in is there.

Taiyaki from Naniwaya Sohonten in Azabujuban.

They are one of the oldest in Tokyo...in business since 1909?!

The outside has a little chew but it is filled to the tail with chunky sweet bean paste.

We thought the weather was forecast for rain but it turned out to be a great day out and about.

National Art Center of Tokyo
7-22 Roppongi
Minato, Tokyo
Closed Tuesdays
Hours: 10:00-17:30

Naniwaya Sohonten
1-8-14 Azabujuban
Minato, Tokyo
Phone: 03.3583.4975
Closed Tuesdays and every 3rd Wednesday
Hours: 10:00-19:00

shake shack

Finally finished my dental work this past Wednesday.

Nearly 6 months...

I really think this dentist is more thorough than the one I was going to in Osaka.

Anyway, to celebrate, I had Shake Shack's 'Shroom Burger...a deep fried portobello mushroom with 2 types of cheeses.

Oozy cheese and fried to perfection.

I'm glad that the dental visits are over and my next visit will be sometime next year for cleaning...

shake shack

I've seen Shake Shack in my Instagram feed for awhile now.

Since we moved to Tokyo, I have heard that they recently opened a shop in Osaka.

Anyway, I wanted to try it, so with Satoshi in tow, we had lunch at one of their shops.

Order, they give you a beeper and then you receive your food when the beeper goes off.

No hot coffee because that is how America rolls...Satoshi was bummed (he almost always orders hot coffee with lunch).

Simple flavors and super crispy fries.

We'll be back.

Shake Shack
2-27-5 Tamagawa, Marronier Court 1F
Setagaya, Tokyo
Phone: 03.6447.9499
Hours: 11:00-22:00

five guys

Just before coming to Hawaii, Five Guys opened in Mililani at the end of June.

Anything new in Hawaii attracts krazy lines, so this was no exception.

Family friend, D, and I went to check them out on Saturday.

The line was from the door to the parking lot when we got there just before 11:00.

Lots of people took out their order so we were able to find seats.

I ordered the Little Bacon Cheeseburger with BBQ sauce and grilled onions.

I also ordered 2 drinks one for me and one for D....total $16.40 (plus tax)

(The difference between a Bacon Cheeseburger and Little Bacon Cheeseburger is that the Little has one patty where as the Bacon Cheeseburger has two.)

D ordered the Little Cheeseburger with everything on it.

He ordered a regular sized Five Guy style fries and we shared....not sure of his total price.

FYI: the large can feed 4 to 6 people (per the cashier)

They got my burger wrong by adding in grilled mushrooms and the fries were "fluffy" (steamed?) not crispy.

While I've had better burgers, I am glad we got to try this.

Thanks for meeting up D!

Five Guys
95-1249 Meheula Parkway
Mililani, Hawaii
Phone: 808.312.3407
Hours:11:00-22:00 daily

franky fresh

There is an old skool themed burger/sandwich place called Franky Fresh.

I got to catch up with Flickr friend, Rex there.

This was my first time there, though he's been there a couple of times.

I ordered their "Marky Mark", ground natural Niihau lamb burger, seasoned roasted mini bell peppers & tomatoes, grilled onions, feta cheese, kalamata olives, spicy aioli, tzatziki sauce. So filling!

Rex chose the "Fresh Prince", portobello mushrooms, bacon, melted swiss cheese, grilled onions, grass fed beef from the Big Island.

Each order comes with a salad or fries.

Love how the menus are on actual records too.

They also gave us samples of their cereal milkshakes...ours was Cap'n Crunch with crunchberries...way too sweet so just a taste was perfect!

I'm glad he was able to make some time in his busy schedule to catch up.

Thanks Rex!

Franky Fresh (UPDATE: 2018 closed)
3040 Waialae Avenue
Honolulu, Hawaii
Phone: 808.744.7728
open everyday : 12:00-21:30

critters burger & streamers coffee company

Thursday, I had a dental appointment.

Afterwards, I ran some errands and then snagged the last table at Critters Burgers.

This time around I had their BBQ Cheeseburger.

The burger was a bit too salty this time around.

I'm glad they are still in business though...I'll be back to try their sandwiches.

Just around the corner is Streamers Coffee Company...they closed at their previous location back in 2014 and re-opened in their new location the other week.

I tried their military latte...I think they call it military because it sort of looks like camouflage.

Matcha, white chocolate and espresso...780 yen...it was pricey but the cup was HUGE.

I hope to bring Satoshi to try this place...

Our weather is still krazy, hope you have a nice weekend!

Streamers Coffee Company
1-10-19 Nishi-Shinsaibashi
Chuo, Osaka
Phone: 06.6252.7088
Hours: 8:00-22:00
Days off not set