this is behind the counter at a Japanese
style Chinese restaurant
[Music]
so this morning we're all the way in
Tokyo's asaksa area and we are going
back five generations at this Father and
Son a Chinese restaurant I'm so excited
to take you guys to behind the counter
for this one so let's just get this one
started
Asahi is a Japanese style Chinese
restaurant with a rich history spending
over a hundred years originally from the
Nihon Bashi area the shop tragically
burnt down during the war but was later
rebuilt here in one of assax's hidden
Backstreets just behind the iconic
sensoji Temple and now this Hidden Gem
is run by a father and son Duo serving
lines of locals each and every day
[Music]
good morning he's the owner awakensan
and usually the first one to come in
it's so hot today isn't it
apparently he took over the shop from
his father when he was 29 years old
making him the fourth generation owner
in his family but he actually started
his career at the age of 16 studying
under his grandfather's friend at a
traditional Japanese Cuisine Restaurant
in shimane prefecture after which he
worked in other Industries to gain more
life experience before settling back
down here
the first thing he does in the morning
is just take care of the desalinated
menma bamboo shoots used in their Ramen
[Music]
so how old is this restaurant again
it goes way back
how long have you been working here
that's amazing
[Music]
so you live here
you must know everyone then
oh when's the festival
Ah that's a famous One
almost
good morning
oh the chicken delivery is here hello
they're so close having a generational
business like this the families
developed many strong relationships with
vendors going as far back as his great
grandfather
another delivery this time it's the
noodles
oh really oh yeah so tell me something
about your noodles
damn those are some fresh moods thank
you
by the way do you ever take vacations
oh what do you usually do oh
yeah
nice what's your poison
no beer with us
how much can you drink
holy eyeballs
oh cap so do you travel with your wife
okay
why don't you go with your friends
hey I could take the weekdays off
I don't know
oh he's already taking a break
apparently
apparently a great deal of tasks in the
morning aside from preparing the soup
which requires several hours to cook wow
he drinks three cups of coffee break by
the way how old are you damn you look
way younger
during this downtime he works on the
Shop's accounting and other desk related
tasks as it's also his responsibility as
a business owner to keep all the
paperwork in order
more deliveries
[Music]
does it come every day
[Music]
now that the pork bones and pork feet
have been delivered he adds into the
chicken based soup which will ultimately
be used for the shop signature Ramen
dishes
after boiling for a while he Blends the
original batch with today's which is a
cookie method in Japan known as
sugitashi it's supposed to leave in the
soup's flavor and why it's commonly
practiced among many ramen shops
now he quickly cleans the workplace to
ensure the utmost cleanliness despite
his son thoroughly cleaning the kitchen
the night before
so why the name Asahi
what do you mean
yeah that makes sense
and wow the pork looks so fresh the shop
uses 5 kilograms of pork a day to make
this special Joshua sourcing it from
their trusted wholesaler who provides
them with only fresh domestic cuts which
are never Frozen
do you know why your great grandparents
chose Chinese food for their business
I see so what's the difference between
Chinese food in Japan and China
um
[Music]
he says that Japanese style Chinese is
more casual and has less menu items
compared to authentic Chinese food
Japanese style Chinese restaurants like
Asahi are known in Japan as machicha
directly translated town in Chinese its
Origins Trace back to the 1600s when it
arrived in Japan's Nagasaki area during
the Edo period but through time
underwent a gradual Evolution to suit
Japanese tastes and even developing
original dishes like chucadon and shrimp
mayonnaise one of my favorites
now he removes the pork he used for
their chashu but leaves the chicken
bones in the soup stock throughout the
day which creates a progressively rich
flavor as the day goes on regulars are
aware of this and enjoy visiting at
specific times depending on their
preferred taste for that day
[Music]
oh his son is here good morning nice to
meet you how long have you been working
here
oh what did you do before this nice nice
surprisingly wakistan was contemplating
closing down the business when he
retired but his son told him that he
wanted to carry on his family's
tradition which secretly made him smile
after all the shop is where he grew up
and it's been a part of his life since
he was born not only that the neighbors
and his friends who have regularly
visited throughout his lifetime makes
this place truly the home he's only ever
known and now he even feels more
grateful that the tradition and flavors
his ancestors built will continue on for
another generation what are you singing
Sweet
that pen seems too small
[Music]
hi nice to meet you
have you worked here for a while yeah
cool how'd you find this job
the owner loves drinking too right
who can drink more
so how's it working here
damn that would be trouble for me so
this shop is located more specifically
in the Ura saksa neighborhood one of
Tokyo's old school Geisha districts
dating back to the Edo period although
these days is more rare to see a geisha
back then many of their customers would
stop by here for a late night Ramen
okay so before we continue on I want to
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[Music]
now he finishes up the soup for hiyashi
Chuka cold style noodles popular in
Japan
foreign
it's his routine to taste today's soup
and compare it with yesterday's making
sure that today's soup tastes exactly
the same as an owner of a restaurant
that's been successful for over a
century now he believes it's critical to
stay true to the original recipe and
taste created by his ancestors also
mentioning that even the same recipe can
taste differently so he takes Extra Care
to maintain their Shop's signature
flavors
[Music]
wow there's already people waiting
at 11 30 the restaurant is finally in
business
[Music]
I guess the first order was Nila soba
Ramen with Chinese chives and Dandan men
usually the sun is responsible for stir
frying while awaki sun takes care of the
noodles and cutting and the server adds
a garnish inside then carries the dishes
to the tables
foreign
restaurants in Japan are known for their
company taste as well as their welcoming
atmosphere friendly owners and Swift
service all at a reasonable price to sum
it up an everyday food in an everyday
type of place an awaken shop is no
exception and why it's loved by so many
[Music]
greatest shows
nobody
[Music]
and that's their top seller shoga Ramen
a delectable Ramen crowned with a
flavorful Ginger topping interestingly
it's one of their many new items wikisun
added to the menu himself initially he
focused on Faithfully recreating his
family's original recipes but when he
traveled to Southeast Asia exotic foods
inspired him to be more creative and now
he exports outside of traditionally
known manchi Chuka dishes serving both
typical dishes and ones he created
himself he also says that over time he
realized that it's important to loosen
up a little bit in order to continue on
his family's Legacy
I don't know
excuse me can I bother you so do you
come here often for a long time now like
how long
that you're a baby wow so what's your
recommendation then what's going on here
[Music]
what about the winter thanks
excuse me you come here office
okay what's your recommendation
cool how long have you been coming here
well thank you
that's truly amazing and who knows
imagine 20 years from now in this very
same seat one of a Wiki son's friends
will be saying the same thing about him
while his son and maybe grandson are
working together in the kitchen
continuing on the Legacy so that's
another one in the books if you want to
visit this place yourself I'll be sure
to leave a link in the description okay
so we're gonna end it here that is
behind the counter at a Japanese style
Chinese restaurant if you guys like this
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