Celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck’s business thrives well in Japan. But my discovery of the Iron Chef’s restaurant in Tokyo was purely accidental. My friend Arnold and I were going to see Harajuku, that famous street where young Japanese people hang out dressed in their favorite anime characters. I personally wanted to see this:
But when we got there at around 7:00pm, the street was (naturally) already empty, save for a couple of girls who were on their way home. I was really disappointed. Good thing we saw this:
Now, I’m not exactly a fan of Chef Wolfgang Puck but I know how big he is in the US (and the rest of the world, for that matter). His restaurant, Spago Beverly Hills, was awarded 2 Michelin stars in 2008 and 2009. And he has been the official caterer of the Academy Awards Governor’s Ball or Oscars Ball since 1995!
Seeing his restaurant wiped away my disappointment. It’s not everyday that one gets a chance to eat at a restaurant owned by a Michelin starred chef. So despite knowing how expensive a meal there would be, I dragged Arnold inside the Wolfgang Puck Express.
True to its name, the menu comprised of quick, easy dishes: salads, burgers, pasta and roast chicken. Arnold ordered the Puck Burger, while I ordered Pasta with Shrimps in Pesto Sauce.
I have to say it was one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever tasted in my life. And I am being very truthful here. Ibang klase. My friend was not disappointed with his burger either. We also liked the easygoing feel of the restaurant. A surprise, really, since high-end restaurants tend to be intimidating.
Incidentally, Chef Wolfgang just unveiled his menu for the Oscars Ball this year.
Unveiling his menu for the year’s biggest movie party, Puck said he would also serve chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles, mini Kobe burgers, Japanese baby peach salad, steamed red snapper with Thai spice, Tuna Nicoise and his signature gold-dusted mini-chocolate Oscars. (Source)
Oh wow! Now I can tell people I have something in common with Daniel Day Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and other Oscar winners! I have eaten a dish created by Wolfgang Puck. Only difference is, I had to pay for mine. 🙂
How to Get There:
Wolfgang Puck Express is very near the Hirajuku Station, (right at the entrance to Takeshita-dori, across the train station)
１丁目-１７-１ Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan, open daily from 11am-11pm.