While staying at the machiya, my wife’s uncle recommended a restaurant that we should try out. He even called and made a reservation for us.

It was a restaurant in Kanazawa called Chokichi which served kushiyaki.

We arrived apparently as soon as they opened.

We were told to get the chef’s recommendation, so we did. We relaxed a bit while the chef prepared the kitchen. We sat around and noticed some of the other patrons were rather chatty with the chef. It appeared as though maybe they were regulars or knew the chef personally.

After a short wait, the chef started bringing us plate after plate of delicious food on sticks. Ever since I was little my family always called these types of things shish kebabs. Apparently, its not a term that is really used in Japan. Wiki says shish kebab is a middle eastern term. I wonder if most Americans would call these shish kebabs or if it is just my family… Let me know what you would call them in the comments!

In America, I usually get foods I like and I tend to stick with them. But being some place pretty foreign to me I thought I should branch out a bit.

A bit of beef tongue. Pretty good actually.

Some stomach, ok I’ll try… it was a little squishy, crunchy, and fatty at the same time… After 1 bite, I decided to pass.

We saw some liver coming out and we told the chef no thanks. Maybe I would have tried it if it didn’t follow the stomach.

At this restaurant, the chef continues to bring you more kushiyaki until you say stop. Not really knowing this, we got pretty full.

About mid way through dinner, my wife’s uncle and his wife showed up. We didn’t know they were going to show up,but it was pretty fun. They showed me some more foods I’ve never seen before.  Like this giant bean, which tasted like a giant Edamame, and in the background, ginko nuts/seeds.

After saying stop, they brought out some soup with a grilled rice ball in it.

After dinner, we headed to a bar for a couple drinks. At home in Seattle, I usually get a Rum and Coke when I can’t find a menu, or think of anything more exotic. But being in Japan, I thought I should get some sort of Japanese cocktail. We asked the bartender what would a Japanese-ish equivalent be for a Rum and Coke. Like a common Japanese mixed drink. The bartender thought a bit, but couldn’t think of anything. He said in Japan, their main drink is beer and Sake. I’m not a huge fan of beer, and I didn’t feel like Sake at the moment, so I went with a couple drinks I’m familiar with at home.

The bar was hiding in a small alley, so I’m not sure how people would find it that easily, but it was pretty busy nonetheless.

The second night, I went with my wife’s family to a Korean BBQ place called Midouen.

It was delicious/oishii as well. They brought out a few plates of raw marinated meats and vegetables on a plate.

You would then pick them up and grill them yourself. I had a bite of shrimp, but mostly played the rest of the night safe with beef and pork.

Both places were delicious, and I would definitely recommend them.