As the festival expands across town to The Japan Society, which will also be running its annual program of new films Japan Cuts, I'm here to give you a few sources for eats in the east for your consideration. With the great lineup of films that will have images blazing in your eyes and sound ringing in your ears (like tonight's screening of RINGING IN THEIR EARS, a Japanese ode to the impact of music), you should have food that will tantalize your taste buds to go along with it.
1. Don Buriya
This is a great casual Japanese diner of sorts. The interior is filled with linoleum, dark stained glass covered lighting and other nostalgic signs of the past. There are is a range of small dishes that can be shared, and of course several donburi options -- hearty bowls of rice served with such staples of down home Japanese cooking like katsu curry. This is a nice cozy spot with food to go with it, and it's open late.
Hamburger Curry Rice Ishiyaki (stone pot) Buta Kimchee Don
East 47th street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue
2. Hide Chan Ramen
This Midtown East ramen spot is an extension of a local shop in Japan. The atmosphere here is modern and just a bit on the chic side, but the soup is hearty and flavorful. Order up some spicy Hakata (pork based broth) ramen with thing straight noodles and add as much of the chili paste as you need. The gyoza is thin and crispy, and the pork buns are also juicy and tasty. Word has it they are also open late on Fridays and Saturdays, and serving free Kaedama (noodle refills) after midnight!
Spicy Ramen at Hiden Chan
East 52nd street between 3rd Avenue and 2nd Avenue
3. Dainobu
Not a restaurant, rather this is a small Japanese supermarket/deli. It's narrow, brightly lit aisles are stacked top to bottom with imported products including chips, chocolates, and pastries. There is also a humble self-service coffee offering at a reasonable price, for when yopu need to get some caffiene running through your veins to prepare for a long film.
East 47th street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue
4. Oms/B
Also not a sit down eatery, this shop is reported to have some interesting twists on the traditional onegiri seaweed wrapped rice ball snack. Mr. C of Planet Chocko fame enjoyed the fried crab with mayonaise option.
While food and drink is not permitted in Japan Society's theater, far be it from me to be a stickler for rules and not encourage discreetly bringing a snack or two in from places 4 or 5. When you consider the multiple screenings that many people attend, or the fact that a movie like Sunday's HEAVEN'S STORY runs between 4 and 5 hours, a little sustenance while watching seems reasonable to me. I don't think your fellow moviegoers will rat you out, even if it is a strong-scented onegiri snack. It will only bring authenticity to the Japanese settings being shown up on the screen.
Will be back again with more eat spots back on the West Side, and pictures to prove it.
