Jidoritei, Kanda (ぢどり亭)

The march of the yakitori chains across the landscape of Japan continues unabated. On the other hand, I feel very satisfied with my lunch today - a freshly-fried chicken cutlet topped with grated radish, some soup, pickles, salad, and a big bowl of rice. What does $7 get you at McDonalds these days?

Fry, my friends, is a dish best served hot. This, I think is why ten-don is a lesser form of the tempura species (steam from the rice, sauce from the sauce-pot - despite the efficacy of the match, both conspire to ruin the fry). And this is also why Japanese chicken chains do pretty good food as far as I'm concerned - it's served to you right out of the fryer. That was the case today, as the cutlet was still crisp despite bathing in a limpid pool of ponzu up to its ankles and being topped by a dense, mooshy disgruntlage of grated daikon (I'm just letting fly with the words, OK?). The salad was mostly mizuna (the weedy stuff, dad) with deep-fried onion slivers and ponzu dressing; this too is a good thing. The rice could have been a bit better; it was fairly fresh but not glistening, and a bit too soft.

Still, if you're complaining about the quality of the starch item in a $7 lunch set, you need to get a grip. This was excellent value. Philippina waitress also means you can speak English if you want (a bit shyly).

Mainly an Osaka chain; only 11 shops in Tokyo. I feel exclusive now!
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