Gotetsu – Simply Good Chicken Yakitori

Recommended by a 3-star Michelin sushi chef, I knew that Gotetsu in Tokyo's Akasaka neighbourhood had to be good. And it was simply that. Gotetsu specialises in chicken yakitori served in an unassuming restaurant that seats probably not more than 25. We had all parts of the chicken including some of the best innards I've tried.

The restaurant is less than a five minute walk from the Akasaka subway station and located on a street behind Akasaka's main street. The clientele was local...

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Tokyo: A Walk Around Asakusa

On a recent business trip to Tokyo, I had a couple of free hours and decided to drop in on Asakusa, an old part of the city with a historic temple. The thing about Tokyo is that for historical cultural landmarks, it just can't compare to Kyoto. Some of this is because a number of temples and shrines and their surrounding areas have been rebuilt. This is certainly true of Asakusa. The place was also incredibly crowded - full of tourists as well as locals going to make their Sunday...

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Sushi Shikon – Sushi Yoshitake’s Excellent 3-Star Hong Kong Outpost

Sushi Shikon's uni sushi

To be awarded three Michelin stars anywhere is quite a big deal and I was all the more curious about this sushi-ya in Hong Kong to see if it measured up to those in Japan. It was only at the end of the meal that I found out that Shikon is the Hong Kong branch of Tokyo's Sushi Yoshitake, also 3-starred. Happily, I think Shikon measures up to its Tokyo parent although given the relative cost, I think the Tokyo original is more affordable.

I'd actually been to Sushi Yoshitake back in...

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Lobster Bobo – Lots More than Lobster

Update: Lobster Bobo has since moved and closed.

Tucked in a non-descript corner in Hong Kong's Sheung Wan area is Lobster Bobo by Eddy where I found really good quality seafood prepared by the former chef of Hong Kong's chief executive. While lobster dishes are a highlight, this casual eatery also does an amazing multi-course tasting menu that changes monthly.

Because of its simple surroundings and plating, I'd describe Lobster Bobo as home cooking if you just...

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Mak’s Noodles – A Hong Kong Favourite Hits Singapore

A bowl of Wonton noodles

Hong Kong has the best wonton noodles because the noodles are springy while the wontons are almost a whole prawn. So when the famous Hong Kong wonton eatery Mak's Noodles opened a branch in Singapore, I was really keen to check it out. As a comparison, during a recent trip to Hong Kong, I dropped in on the original. I think the Hong Kong outlet on Wellington St. is still better but the Singapore branch will save on my airfare.

This famous Hong Kong wonton eatery opened in...

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