Daikoku Teppanyaki and Ramen (Auckland New Zealand)

I was craving to eat with chopsticks (sad, but true) while on business in Auckland, New Zealand. Luckily there were a couple of Japanese restaurants nearby, both operated by Daikoku.

Needing a bowl of comforting noodle, there was Daikoku Ramen offering great range of choices, along with many side dishes. The soup base was not as thick as I wanted it to be. The fried rice was a great side dish however.

A few nights later I was at Daikoku’s teppanyaki restaurant. The chef put on quite a show, while the steaks were juicy and tender.

Details:
Ramen Daikoku
Beside Britmart Station, on Tyler St
Auckland

Daikoku on Quay
148 Quay Street
Auckland

http://www.daikoku.co.nz

Setsugetsuka (Kobe Japan)

At Kobe, it was only natural for us to look for a place to sample the famous Kobe beef. We chose Setsugetsuka, a 1 Michelin star teppanyaki restaurant, in the shopping district near Sannomiya.

We thoroughly enjoyed the skills displayed by the chef at the teppan, but the steak was the star. Every bite created the melt-in-your-mouth sensation. The stir fried vegetables with the remaining fat was brilliant with rice. Foie gras teppanyaki is also worth a try – but do order an extra serve of beef if you have room!

Details:
Kobe Setsugetsuka
神戸牛ステーキ 鉄板焼雪月花
４丁目-８−１９
Kanocho
KobeChuo Ward
Hyogo Prefecture 650-0001
Japan
http://www.kobe-setsugetsuka.com/

Danny & Company (Taipei)

On my first night in Taipei, I was taken to Danny & Company for dinner. Prior to the visit, I didn’t realise such restaurants exist – a full French menu served in Japanese teppanyaki style.

The food was awesome with taste and presentation rivalling Michelin-starred restaurants. It was high quality from start to finish – crusty warm bread, porcini soup, seared foie gras… and the dual beef of Australian 9+ wagyu and USDA prime cap certainly lived up to the ‘king of steak’ reputation by head chef Danny Teng.

Mr Teng’s generosity in sharing his knowledge of food was a bonus. Thanks!

Details:
Danny & Company
台灣台北市四維路52巷33號
No. 33, Ln. 52, Siwei Rd
Da'an District
Taipei City, 106
http://www.dannyandcompany.com