WORLD’S WEIRDEST RESTAURANTS, FOOD NETWORK TV SHOW. BOB BLUMER: CURRY TRAIN CAFE, THAI BOXING, MONKEY WAITERS.
Have you spotted any Pirates on Food Network Canada? The TV show World’s Weirdest Restaurants, which Captain La Carmina and First Mate Naomi arranged and appear on, is currently airing every Wednesday and Saturday.
You may recall that we were in Tokyo for a month last fall, working on this Food Network docu-series. Since I wrote a book called Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo, we knew exactly where to take the TV cameras.
Canadians may recognize host Bob Blumer from “Glutton for Punishment” and “The Surreal Gourmet.” We shot at Kayabuki, the tavern with monkey waiters.
Naomi held a baby monkey!
In addition to serving hot towels and beer, the macaques do tricks like balancing on a ball.
Naomi spoke expertly about this monkey business. I can’t imagine a restaurant in North America that would allow this.
The tofu, grilled mackerel and sashimi were to die for. The bee larva… not so much. Kayabuki is located north of Tokyo, in Utsunomiya (Address: 栃木県宇都宮市御幸本町４６８８).
Every day was insane: we rushed to a theme restaurant and filmed non-stop, for hours. We adored Curry Station Niagara, helmed by a an adorable grandma “conductor.” The homemade curry is delivered to customers via toy trains.
Hats all around, for the kids. The decor is authentic: parts salvaged from vintage trains. (Address: 東京都目黒区祐天寺2-1-5 高坂ビル)
As fixers, we’re always dealing with last-minute changes. Within 24 hours, we arranged filming at a Muay Thai boxing restaurant!
The signs outside Ooenjyai (4-9-23 Ayase, Adachi-Ward, Tokyo) make the theme apparent…
You eat delicious Thai food while watching young people beat each other up!
Upstairs, there’s a training room.
The Thai boxers included teenage boys and a young woman.
Interested in seeing more photos and stories of Japan bizarre cafes? Please support my work and check out my Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants book. Also visit the Pirates website for Tokyo TV hosting, location scouting, TV production, translation and guiding services.
PS: Thanks to Fashiolista for interviewing me. The style-sharing and saving site is addictive! I post my finds and outfits there; add me to get started.
What do you think of these weird Japanese restaurants? Would you be interested in visiting one? Have you seen our TV show yet? (I’ll post clips later.)
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LA CARMINA
12 Comments
Carmina, you really do cover it all: fashion, food, monkeys….. :). have fun!
so kool XD
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I will definitely go to Kayabuki the next time I’m n Tokyo!
I love themed resturaunts, I visited the Lock Up when I was in Japan :D
and also a Sumo resturaunt too, there was no matches but there was a traditional ceremony instead and it was really cool!
Fantastic!! We shot at 14 theme restaurants in Japan. The themes never end!
Gah, amazing, and great photography:)
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Thanks dear!! Following you on Tumblr now – I’m http://www.lacarmina.tumblr.com
Haha if that was in the usa the department of health would have a heart attack and peta would say we are slaving the monkeys loll
True, but they look like they’re having a good time there, and seem well treated. USA has some of the strictest laws regarding kritterz and food establishments- I’ve heard stories of pubs and their dogs and cats in England…
I’m looking forward to this!!! ♥
amazing!
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