Bon enkai season

The Bon Enkai (end of the year part) season has begun in Japan. I already had a small one but plan to be a part of a few more before the end of this month. In the U.S. people usually get worried about packing on the pounds from the family and friend get-togethers but in Japan its the year end parties where everyone indulges in fatty foods and drinks liters of alcohol.

Speaking of food, I went to a friend's birthday party last week at one of Ikebukuro's newest high-end Chinese restaurants and I must say I was pretty disappointed. I usually do not find bad food in Tokyo, but this place, at the particular price point which was about 100 dollars per head was terrible. The main protein course was too salty and the yakisoba took forever to get to our table (I think about an hour of waiting) and when it finally arrived, it was bland a cold. The service wasn't bad but it wasn't better than what you get at like a Denny's. The only positives I could find during my dining experience were the view, it was on the 59th floor and the dumplings. Not the best I ever had, but definitely juicy and tasty. Pictures of those two below. I do not think I will ever go back there again.