Ogakijin Blog

Nice restaurant I ended up on this middle day of the extended weekend!!!
What a luck I got. Yeah, lucky me.

"Teppan-yaki TEN" Ginza 4-chome restaurant.



Facing the big iron plate... literally, "Teppan (iron plate)" and "Yaki (cooking)."



Oyster



Big shrimp



Foie gras



Abalone



Steak!
Wagyu --- Japanese beef!!!



Very juicy... it was.

Wait. Did I certainly set the alarm last night? Didn't hear it at all.
Man, I was SO late to the airport.

Taxi driver who was on "stand-by" for me told, "What happened to you? I was wondering..."

Yeah, yeah, my fault. Messed it up. (BANG!)

Thanks to that kind driver... the way to the airport was SUPER FAST.

Not much time to shop (of course not!).





Too bad it's coach class again! (You can tell the above photos that I certainly sat in the coach class!)

Lunch - spicy noodle soup but was GREAT!
Good company... who is going to leave the work place in next month... surely going to be missed by us all!!!



After dinner, I got "kidnapped" for drinks... Did I get drunk? Hmmm, not really.
Wait. Who did that? Lady G22 - still MBA.

In fact, even after the fun festivity with this lady... I worked late. OH BOY!

Hey, don't use your little imagination TOO much (even though you don't have much anyhow...). Just drinks. (BANG!)

It's TGIF, folks! What's up? For me, long week with series of good food is now over!
Seriously.

Thanks to a lady flew from California with such luck which was so rewarding for me.
Today's lunch... is typical example, huh!

Here we go:



This is Chicken & egg over rice. Typical Japanese rise dish called "Oyako don."
Because of this chicken considered top grade, the dish turned to be quite pricey.

2,000 yen or 20 bucks. Yeah, would you spend such money for single meal particularly lunch?

I know-

That is why I am saying, "rewarding."

Over dinner, I met a long time friend for the 1st time... in YEARS!
Interesting story shared with that person because...

"Yeah, you said that you wanted to study for Master then."
Really? I was mentioning that I would like to study at graduate school and Thunderbird was actually one of choices then... so out of my mouth. WOW!

Never remembered that. Hmmm.

Good surprise.

No much to talk about... except great food that I ate today!



Italian pasta for lunch. "Sabatini" Italian restaurant in the Hotel Ibis.



Sushi dinner in Ginza. Yeah, "exensive" Ginza... I happened to be able to eat good food with special guest from US.

Another French dinner again... yeah, tonight.
It was good one... AGAIN!



Good red wine. Mini bottle.





French pasta... somewhat different from Italian one.



Lamb again! Even better!!!

It was dinner tonight. Rather than supper. Since the training program for 3 days just got concluded... participants (trainees) voted for gathering to celebrate the course completion over dinner. Hmmm, good idea.

I totally misunderstood... after-session gathering is over beer. Well, I was wrong. It was rather over "WINE."
Youngsters' way of thinking really beats the old fashion style that I have.

Destination for the night... was French cuisine.



Restaurant "Concombre" located in Shibuya area. Close to the Shibuya Station. Walking distance.









Lamb. Pretty juicy and tender. Good one but small!!!



Well, better conclude the training session plus dinner were quite learning opportunity for me. I learned how the class should be taught... so that I can be the trainer of the class from the next time on. Really. Whether I like that or not... I have no choice.

Wednesday is over... two more days to go... into extended weekend (till Monday).

Better say, Americanized Indian food? Don't know this is right, though.
It was good lunch... expensive, though!











Indian curry was like soup. Interesting... though, this 3,000 yen (30 bucks) lunch turned out to be LIGHT one.

Are you hungry?!?!

Yes!!!



Are you hungry?

This was my lunch today... It was pretty big meal for me. Yeah, THE MEAL for the day.



Was at the restaurant called Hibiki. 2nd visit to that place, I think.
Other than this big meal... no special thing happened today. Very normal.

I hadn't been to that restaurant until today. My 1st visit to Italian restaurant called "Da Noi."
Seems pretty famous. Have no clue, though.
People around me said so. Let's believe that.



Took this picture of sweets came after meal. Sorry, the focus isn't that sharp... iPhone's fault!

In fact, it was long day for me. Had to work late.
One more day... for weekend. Better plan something... so that I can be more excited.
How come not? Hmmm, my fault.

This was my supper. Good one! Very authentic cold noodle. Sort expensive... 15 bucks for this plate!!! (No kidding)
Though, yum yum...

Made my day!

New cafe called "La Duree" is my visit in this morning.
This place is famous for macaron sweets. Do you know those? Hmmm.
It's French sweets... if you don't know, just google it.

Had sort breakfast in that cafe located in Ginza Mitsukoshi department store.
Tons of "fans waiting for their turns... LONG LINE from such early morning. Hmmm.

Why in the world was I there then? Call me crazy.









In addition to macaron shown in above picture (chocolate / raspberry), ate French toast!!! It was pretty good.
Yes, I am big fan of French toast... most of my breakfast at Thunderbird while in business school were of that dish!!!

Seriously!

Surely, this breakfast in "La Duree" became pretty darn expensive.

Easy food... quick food for me. Ramen noodle is always my favorite.
Now (nowadays), "tsukemen" noodle... cold noodle to dip in to the soup... is my favorite.



Today's choice isn't of my usual place. Happened to be not so.
Well, this wasn't that bad... though, I still prefer usual place's noodle.

White sesami "tsukemen" noodle --- 870 yen (I think, expensive)

It was Fireworks Festival in this area... tonight. Too bad that view from my apartment... not good to see any of fireworks.
Better move to nice (r) place? Hahaha.

Kaiseki is name of the series of dish... very traditional Japanese dinner.
Very expensive... like a full French course dinner.

I came to have this dinner at one of top Japanese restaurants in this country.

Place called "Nadaman" restaurant.
Along with 21 other consultants belong to my firm... were at the table together tonight.
It was surely fun night.











Difficult thing... for me, it's so hard to appreciate such great foods.
Foods were too good...

Lots of drinks tonight... Almost missed the last train for the day!!! (WOW)

Wow, good food for tonight... What happened? Worked too hard and this was reward?
Let's say, yes, this is it!

We got team dinner for the first time... since three of us got together on assignment.
Wait. Where does the budget come from? Good question. Shhh.















Many dishes... good quantity... and great stuff.

Restaurant called "TEN" located in Roppongi.

Man, ate too much? Well, it was good... not overate for sure.

Great Peking Duck!!!
This was Team Dinner!!! Man, I enjoyed too much...
Make me fat... and possibly diabetic? Hmmm.

Finally, my time in Singapore is over!!! I had afternoon flight to PEK (Beijing) by Singapore Airlines.
No, not A380 flight!!!
Before that, I spent morning in Takashimaya department store for shopping.
Well, not "brand" shopping like for myself. Rather, I was looking for souvenirs for friends / clients.

Worked a bit in the airplane and watched some moves as well. Pleasant flight for sure.
However, flight attendants of Singapore Airlines weren't that gentle... not quite rude... but... you know.

PEK (Beijing Airport) was quite messy...
Taxing after landing took 30 mins to have the aircraft reach the gate!!! Obviously, the aircraft was led to wrong side of airport. Then turned around and went all the way to the other side. Hmmm.

Also maybe because it was late flight (arrival@11pm), the shuttle traing didn't run as indicated. "Arriving in 20 seconds" for the first time... then 30 seconds... 2 mins, 5 mins, then 7 mins... How come increased? Then, finally "Out of Service."

Give me a break!!!

Then train came to another platform. Hmmm.
I checked in at the hotel around 1am and went to bed at 2am. Oh sleepy!

Today, first time to play golf outside Japan (other than US AND SINGAPORE!) I came to play golf in Malaysia!!!

@Palm Resort Golf & Country Club Malaysia



With three Korean friends, I played full 18 holes! Score? Well, yesterday was better.

54 - 51 = 105

Nice course it was! Plus, great companies I got. Weather wasn't that bad... Surely sunny... temperature wasn't that high like killing me.
Anyhow, I enjoyed myself most for 2 days in playing golf!!!

Wow, it's first time playing golf outside Japan (other than US, of course!) and Singapore is the place!
Friends and I went out to play at night!!! Day time... too hot to play!

At Jurong Country Club, Singapore.



Score?

50 - 54 = 104 ... not bad, huh? Just usual. NO IMPROVEMENT!!! (my fault)

Well, another day... another golf... Tomorrow I will play in Malaysia? Maybe...
(Means, let me keep my fingers crossed!)

Good business trip means full of "good food." Don't you agree? Hehehe.
Today, somehow my client chose to go to the same restaurant as last night.
Yeah, same restaurant for 2 nights in a row? Precisely.



Full of great seafood. Place?

"Crystal Jade Shanghai Garden"

Full of seafood in Shanghai style. Really good!
Well, that dessert dish isn't from the menu... FYI.

My client specifically wanted full of mango as dessert. Thus, we ordered "fresh mango."
It came out like that.
Ordered one dish last night and two for tonight! Yeah, we must be crazy!

Finally (?) --- turned to be 35 years old! Yeah, darn old man!!! I want to keep my soul younger, though!!!
Perfectly surprise to myself... my client - staff members pitched some money in... bought me a famous Yoroizuka sweets.
Yeah, famous patissier, Mr. Yoroizuka made those cakes:





Man, these are surely expensive!!! Never eaten one before in my entire life!
People fly into Tokyo from all over Japan to buy one Yokorizuka sweet at Tokyo Midtown! (No kidding)



I selected this one. Man, so yummy!!!

At night, had dinner with two female friends to celebrate my BD.

Also...

Kazem sent me a BD message via Email.
Anshu gave me a call from India.
Tons of friends from, mostly, T-birds wrote me a message via Facebook.

Thank you, everyone!!! I am so grateful for sure! Great BD it was.

What's up? Somehow I came to get a free lunch. Very rare to happen that to me.
Plus, not even easy food at all this time. Rather, it was quite Japanese from famous restaurant.

Hirata Firm's deep-fried pork bento box for lunch today!





Great stuff. Loved it.
You know, the restaurant located in the Tokyo Midtown always has a line of people waiting for foods. Really? Yeah, really.

Never had any dish from that restaurant before... This was worth it for sure.

Happened to go to Cafe Daisy for lunch today. Along with coworkers.
Yeah, famous (?) Danish lunch. 1,500 yen.





Good food... definitely supports work?
Hmmm, tough to make comment out of this. Hahaha.

Yeah, I ended up doing the entertainment for client tonight.
No longer focus only on the project... I guess. Hahaha.
Well, it was great client... this entertainment wasn't that difficult for me to deal with.

It was authentic Japanese food.



Japanese restaurant "Nadeshiko" - located in Roppongi.

Very expensive restaurant. 10,000 yen per person. Yeah, 100 bucks per person.
I would have been there unless it was job-related. Hahaha.

True, though!

No pictures of foods because I was with client. Sorry!

Meeting after meeting... long day for me!!!



Though, this day gets concluded in this restaurant.

"Kushi Mura"

Pretty cozy place for drink! Plus, lots of foreigners as customer there. English speaking? Not quite.
Taste was pure Japanese.

Price was somewhat still reasonable. Below Roppongi average price.
5,000 yen per person.

Man, lots of drinks recently.

Wow, good food... what happened?
Because client invited all project members for big lunch today.... we all went to fancy... very fancy restaurant.

"Vinoteca" at Tokyo Mid Town
http://www.tokyo-midtown.com/en/shop/118/index.html



Main dish - fried red sea bream.



Dessert

Yes, lunch was Italian food. Don't you think this look pretty expensive? Yeah, it was... over 30 dollars per person!!!

Yes, I made 6am meeting. Man, I was so sleepy!!!
My flight was at 3:30pm... all HKG members told me no need to show up to the office for the day.
Well, almost went there. However, worked in the hotel room until 11am.
Then, hit the shower and packed my stuff. Checked out at noon.

No energy left to shop around hotel. Went to the airport straight.

Spent most of time in duty free area. Did buy some as souvenir. Nothing for myself this time.
No delay in the flight. Didn't see the entertainment in the flight because of bad connection! Sound got big break-up and I couldn't stand. Full flight... no alternative seat with working audio system. Oh boy!

Came home finally at 11pm. Long day!!! Well, tough weekend is ahead.
Meeting with client is scheduled on Sunday. Hmmm... I have to work on both Saturday and Sunday... Hopefully, I can spare time for my relaxation. Really hope so.

Yeah, work is crazy... but food is really great!
For lunch dinner, upon my invitation to all staff members, we went out to have dim sum.
Yeah, its always typical for the team whenever having guest and visitors from Japan or other place.

This time, no exception.

Good Chinese dish at that dim sum for sure, though. That restaurant was new to me. Never went there before. Don't know other members like that place or not. Nine of us? I was the only male in that group. Typical female team, huh!

For dinner, selected members came with me.
Turned out to be Korean food. Very expensive Korean. In HKG, Korean food isn't that popular... though those team members liked such food... and so do I. Good food for sure.

It's going to be short sleep. Scheduled 6am meeting. Yeah, 6am!!!
Will get up around 5:30am.

Still lots of meetings were scheduled and I had to catch up with that schedule.
Had late lunch with my consultant.

That was... pasta lunch. Unbelievably, bad taste. Didn't like that dish at all.
I definitely won't go back to that place. Ever!!!

I had to wrapped it all up around 7-ish because of appointment.
I went out for drinks. Yeah, again. So what?!
It was definitely work-related.

Though, resulted that I made friends with two Chinese ladies outside the work tonight.
They were friends of coworker that I had drinks with tonight.
Rich friend calls another rich friends... One was wearing Rolex... the other had Frank Muller. Wow, certainly they are high maintenance!!! Hmmm.

If I go back to HKG next time, I should spend more time to be good friends of them! (BANG)

Back in Japan, my subordinates were working late... I asked them to. Yeah, they were working while I was having drinks!!! Kill me! Sue me! Didn't have choice because it was urgent issue.

Then, all of us... including myself had late night meeting. From 11:30pm in Japan... we were all serious. Good work, though. I really appreciate their hard work.

Frist day on biz trip... serious business? Of course, it is!!!
Meeting after meeting. No much spare time which I can be productive for own work.
Hmmm, I have to dedicate myself for HKG stuff this week. That is why I am over here today.

Lunch - Thai food.
Dinner - authentic Chinese food.

Oh wait... drank pretty much over dinner. Hmmm, I had to get back to work once returned to the hotel.
Hunch... have to work like crazy for this week. Lots of messy stuff to take care.

No big stuff like SLR camera for this trip. Just brought compact digital camera, instead.
Flight had no delay. Read some magazines and worked on PC.
No entertaining movie for me. Rather I prefer the sleep!!!

This is 3rd visit to HKG in 6 months. Yeah, already.

1st time at Renaissance
2nd time at Grand Hyatt

My 1st pick was actually Grand Hyatt. Though, Both Hyatt and Renaissance had no vacancy.
Thus, I had to stay at Sheraon this time.

Sheraton is located in Kowloon. Hyatt and Renaissance are in Hong Kong island.
Thus, I have to take ferry to the work from tomorrow!

Will be fun.

During this week's event on job, we have an IT expert from Paris... and we have a dinner among those who are involved in the event. Somehow I was invited as well.

It was SHABU SHABU dinner.
Shabu Shabu = beef cooked in clear stock... so I saw in someone else's say.

"Extra thin beef slices are swished in boiling water for a few second. Dipped it into a sauce, either a sesame paste, or a tangy one of soy and citrus. As the water turns to broth, vegetables are also added."

Does this make sense to you? Hope it does.

One of the workers at client's site planned the dinner for the day. Yeah, 6 of us joined and had a big dinner!
It was "Hinabe" or "Hot Pod." Yeah, hot stuff... spicy and hot.
Beef and lamb along with variety of vegetables.

Man, full of foods in the pod... and drinks... as much as we could drink!

Of course, I couldn't drink much... some others were very eager to keep ordering new drinks!







It was definitely good stuff. Loved it! You should try!
This is very famous Chinese dish. Try to order it in your "usual" Chinese restaurant if it has that in menu.
Oh, the place we went tonight... hot pod is its speciality.

Last day of my stay... still rainy. It sucks! Really does! Man, totally out of luck this time!



Didn't want to wet my Canon SLR - had to stick with compact one by FujiFilm. Guess, this picture turned out to be quite well... like this picture!



Near the hotel... I walked through "Rocks Market" on St. George. This market is quite long on the street. Yeah, took me to go through 15 minutes to look around.



Popular in Japan for now. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. This set became my breakfast and lunch! Hahaha. True!
And then, today's biggest destination... this place is called QVB - stands for Queen Victoria Building. Big shopping mall within the building.





Quite fancy inside, huh! Liked it. Though, the variety of stores wasn't that fascinating.
I guess, Aussie fashion is behind? Well, they may think ahead, instead. Hmmm.

This is it! Now my Sydney trip is over. Hit down to the airport. Yeah, to catch the late flight... actually redeye flight for Tokyo! Hmmm. How come I am NOT on the First Class for this 10-hour-long flight?

No luck!!!

Two meetings in the morning were last official events for the trip. Now am FREE!
Too bad that weather does NEVER cooperate with me and rainy weather remains!!!
Today the weather was actually the worst. Hopefully not worsen anymore tomorrow.

Meetings went okay? That's the question, right? One was no problem. The other... tough to draw the line. However, the issues aren't lying over this area at all. Rather, somewhere else for sure.

Anyway, I start worrying about those from coming Monday or so!!! I cannot worry enough right now. You know what I mean?
So let me put these worries down.

Went out to Darling Harbor for lunch. Near the China Town where we went out yesterday.
Yeah, it was good Chinese... even though we ordered more than what we could eat then. Hahaha.
Not my fault.


Then walked about the harbor with umbrella holding... Had coffee along with sweet cake at Lindt Chocolate Cafe.
Man, this is definitely overeating. Yeah, sure. Really.

Went back to hotel once.
Well, had to resume working then. Still lots to do!!!

For supper, walked down on St. George with umbrella again! Better stop raining QUICK! Let me enjoy sunny Sydney or simply summer weather!!!
Final dinner in Sydney with colleagues was prime steak. Yeah, BEEF this time. Ordered 10 oz fillet steak. Wow, I really liked it... many steaks in January... hint, hint!

Wine, along with the steak dish, was fantastic! Colleague chose the Spanish bottle. That was perfect selection. Man, am becoming big fan of wine like that.

Bad feeling was right hunch... Yeah, really came true.
Recalling from yesterday, the situation has been nothing but worsened. Really.

I got a call from boss who showed big concern on this project, too. What shall I do? This is beyond my capability... out of control. I am so inexperience in such industry... How to handle this? What shall I do? Hmmm.

No exit criterion... needed.
Rather, need to have "escape plan."

Today's meetings were rather easy... and simple. Right expectation was set and it was no pain.

For lunch... to the China Town. Good dim sum dishes! Love dim sum so much. I can go anytime!!!
Oh, I miss Hong Kong already? Hahaha... have another plan to get there in March.

For supper, went up north... to the Chestwood. About 20-30 minutes from the Harbor Bridge.
Walked around the shopping area.
Ended up eating Japanese sushi.

Didn't raise my expectation high... I was right then.
It was okay sushi, though.

2-day-conference is now over. Clear finish? Nope. Totally the other way around. What happened? Hmmm.
Cannot disclose everything here... but at least I can tell that some people didn't do good job on something important. In the end, lots of people in the conference were confused.

Turning out to be a big issue that someone have to solve sooner. Oh boy!
I know, it wouldn't be my job... but I have to influence someone to make sure that it'll happen.
Extra job... requires extra worry. See this logic?

After the conference, as planned, moved to new hotel - Park Hyatt Sydney.



Located just under the Sydney Harbor Bridge... and faces renown Opera House.



See you can see it through window!



Assigned King Bed Room. Very gorgeous! Who doesn't like this?!
Finally (?) my Sydney trip brings comfort.

For all 30-some attendees to the conference, big official dinner took place in seafood restaurant located in the Darling Harbor. At place called "Nick's Seafood Restaurant."
Oh boy, didn't take the camera with me. My fault again.
Though, huge dish was served.
For 2 people, big crabs, many fresh and cooked oysters, and huge lobsters!!!
Most of people leave the food because too much to eat them all.

I had to push myself as much... didn't want to leave any good food like that. Really.
Man, really made myself full.

Yes, I do admit that my diet is now planned starting early next week.

2-day-conference started in the hotel. 30-some people were together.
Do I know all of them? Not quite. I know about 10-some people.
At least I want to make friends with another 5-10 people.

Many presentations during the conference.
Due to the time difference, do I fall to a sleep then? Hmmm... didn't happened today.
Too many stuff to sleep in the conference? Hahaha.

For dinner, 6 of us got together and went down to the Rocks area.
Had seafood.
Spent 500 Australian dollars... WOW, quite expensive!

Had fantastic salmon fillet!!!
Of course, ate lobsters and oysters. Crabs, too.

Meaning lots of cholesterol? Hahaha. True. I will worry about it later --- as usual.
Great supper!!!

One more ay to go. Hopefully, no issues from the conference. Hopefully...

Arrived in Sydney! 2nd time in my entire life.
Hotel was okay... I was told that it would be much nicer than this.
A bit of disappointment. Really.

I got a room at top floor. Still somewhat don't like it much. Yeah, frankly.



Spent most of time in the afternoon with client who used to be a business consultant for a long time. Over the conversation, learned a lot... and defined that the industry am in is very interesting place.

Lunch was very easy stuff in nearby cafe. Coffee is very dark here. Called "Long Black."
Wait. What's long? (and what's wrong?)

Hmmm.

Supper was interesting because it turned to be a group dinner. I saw some client staff whom I met back in June... yeah in Beijing last year. Her boss and other people joined me... so it was big dinner. Lot of good pasta, etc.
Yeah, Italian, not Aussie.

Okay... ready for serious business starting tomorrow because of my full stomach.
Wish me luck!

Wow, first day at work... Wait. Did I really go to work?
Hahaha.

The truth is...

Didn't show up to the work place today. Instead, I went somewhere else. Yeah, called "offsite."
We had team meeting outside the office. For the first working day of the year? Yeah, just like that.

Well.

The meeting wasn't that piece of cake for me, though.
My brain wasn't function as much as I wanted it to. Yeah, still warming up...
It had been rather turned off for 9 days or so... no surprise, then. Though, the meeting was surely tough. (BANG)

Any reward? Yeah, I should deserve!

Well, we had team dinner... as New Year party tonight. Man, ended up in the luxury steak restaurant. Originally, we were supposed to go to Korean BBQ place. Steak restaurant and BBQ place... both managed by single entity. Steak is yet more famous... thus we all agreed with each other that we ought to try the steak place first.

Hahaha.

This decision became so right!!!



escargot --- first time in my entire life to eat!!! Man, this was pretty cool! Loved them!!! (ate two)
Really great match with olive oil.

Great appetizer.



Filet mignon --- 10 oz. steak

Oh my lord... this is VERY tasty...



This was SO great... didn't take me too much time. See!

Bitter start with happy finish... full of stomach. Hahaha.

Call me crazy!
Am still eating a lot.
Yeah, last night's stomachache was NOTHING (BANG!).

After the movie, went out for Ramen noodle... another famous shop.
It's called "Ikkosha." Fukuoka-origin.



Men, this was another great bowl. MoonFlower liked this better.
For me, not good as first bowl.

It's okay... we have a difference!

Of course, bought several sweets as souvenirs to work.

Finally, tomorrow I have to resume everything to normal!!! Whether I like it or not... RIGHT?

2nd day in Fukuoka- Today's destination is Dazaifu to visit famous shrine for study. Yeah, VERY IMPORTANT to me.
I don't want to fail any other class... Wait. Have I ever failed any class?
Hmmm, don't think so.



This is my New Year prayer. What was my wish? Wait... cannot share that with ya.



Lots of people write their wish on a little wooden board and hang it to have their wish come true.




Withdrew a paper fortune. Wow, "Daikichi" - this is the luckiest. Wow, what to happen this year already?
Really so? Totally opposite? Hmmm, will see.



Famous sweets in Dazaifu - Really good!!!

Finally good food... good supper.




Restaurant called "Shoraku." It has branches in Tokyo as well. Must be really good... and it was!!!
This is "Motsu Nabe." Motsu is "viscera." Yet, this is good stuff!

Better check out branches in Tokyo area...

Hi, folks! Am fortunate to have the first (private) trip for 2008 already.
Destination? Fukuoka - yeah, domestic.



Lucky enough? Got ride on "POKEMON Jet." Yeah, this isn't new... but I have never got a chance like this. Hehehe.
Bid deal? NOT really.



Famous Ramen noodle bowl at "Daruma."

Yeah, Fukuoka is famous for good food... noodles and hot pot.
Lots of expect, huh!

Already