Frank Dobson on Restaurants

Alright, you’re about to come to Sendai. You may or may not have been to Japan before. You may or may not have experienced the mystery that is Japanese cuisine. You may be worried about the money (I was told that an apple cost £5 before I came…). Here’s where I can help with a little reassurance.

Sendai, although by no means cosmopolitan, is becoming more and more international, at least as far as food is concerned. The local food is excellent, but for those times when you don’t fancy rice, raw fish or fermented soy beans (natto), and can’t be bothered with ubiquitous McDonalds, KFCs, Mos Burgers and Lotterias (the last two Asian fast food places), you do have a lot of options.

Italian is particularly popular and, inspite of the occasional peculiar Japanese take on pasta sauce, I can recommend Capricciosa (Chuo Dori), Viva Pasta (at the Azur building – they have huge salads, ), Pasta House Italia (in Fukuzawamachi – in my opinion, the best deal in town) and Erba (in Nonkodai, great food, great wine tabihodai). French restaurants are popular but tend to be pricey, Chinese food in Japan seems to limited to ramen and believe you me, there are plenty of good ramen shops around. Junkai (Ichibancho) does however have a good variety of Chinese food, and Mexican begins and ends with Pepe Gonzalez (Jozenjidori), which is good but not great.

Indian food is also pretty well represented. Namaskar (Minamimachidori) is reputed to be Sendai’s best, especially for lunch, although the Indian restaurant (whose name I can never remember!) on the 20th floor of the Azur building has a great weekend lunchtime tabihodai, and Indian Village does a good Chicken Korma. The owber, Chuck, is a good guy who speaks perfect English and lets you watch the Soccer World Cup at 1AM. Curry fans should also take note of Cocoichiban which is everywhere. OK – so it’s only curry rice, but with a bit of flair you can invent yourself a good, cheap meal.

Yakiniku (basically fried meat, Korean style) is also very popular. There’s a great place on Jozenji-dori, but real meat freaks should get themselves to Stamina in Rifu to the tabihodai – it’s well worth it. What else? For sandwiches and good coffee, go to Transfer (Minamimachi-dori), for waffles, big burgers and good coffee, go to Il Pappaloni (Jozenji-dori), and for okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) Hiroshima style, go to Kenji’s (Kawaramachi, although you better ask someone for directions when you get here). Kenji’s a great man who cooks a mean okonomiyaki and speaks some of the best English I’ve heard in this country.

I could tell you about bars, but I doubt Shidouka could afford the postage and besides, I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough. Bon appetit!

Frank