Haircut and Tokyo Diner

Posted on 2007/09/30 10:53:14 (September 2007).

[Saturday 29th September]
Spent the daytime lazing around at home, we had vaguely planned to go to Borough Market to buy apples (we're right in British apple season now folks), but we ended up not bothering. Chie had gone out the previous evening with some people from work, and so wanted to have a lie in - in fact I think she even had a little bit of a hangover - bless.

Around 6 we ventured out, as we both had a late appointment to get our hair cut at the Japanese place in Soho we've been to a few times now (although the previous time I went by myself).

Every time I go I find myself apologising for having left it so long - it always ends up around two months between visits. I can never quite work out if longer hair means more work for a hairdresser (would appreciate input on this if any hairdressers happen to be reading).

Anyway, as previously noted, I really enjoy the experience of getting my hair cut there. Today every other customer was Japanese (as are all the staff), and given that there really aren't any windows looking to the outside world, it is easy to believe I'm back in Japan. Tomoko-san did a great job of my hair again, and as always I also really enjoyed our chat. We spoke almost entirely in Japanese, although I realised there are a few important gaps in my vocabulary - I didn't know the Japanese words for "wisdom tooth", "guilt" or "blasphemy" - it is a miracle that I've been able to get this far without these linguistic cornerstones.

After we'd finished getting our hair sorted out, we decided as we were in the centre, and time was already getting on a bit, we ought to get something to eat somewhere. Having been immersed in that very Japanese environment for an hour or so meant Japanese food seemed appropriate. We initially poked our noses round the door at Kulu Kulu, but were put off by the queue and lack of Japanese customers.

So instead we headed over to Tokyo Diner, on the edge of Chinatown. The food was really good here - I particularly liked the agedashi tofu (especially as, by default, the stock was vegetarian). Although I think I probably should have ordered a couple more dishes as I was left a tad peckish at the end, and our bill was actually very modest.

The only slight downside was the other customers. One couple came in, sat down, drank some green tea (which they give you whether you ask for it or not), then tried to order some cakes. When they were told that the place doesn't really do cakes they said "oh, sorry we thought it was a cafe". They then proceeded to sit there until they'd finished drinking the free green tea, and then got up and left. What a nerve! Another couple sitting near us did something very similar, with the added annoyance that the guy walked into our table on the way in, spilling our tea everywhere and simply said "oh, I've spilt your tea". I think the phrase he was looking for there was "sorry, I'm a complete idiot". They too seemed to have a few sips of green tea and then get up and leave without paying anything. Given that the menu is clearly displayed on the outside of the restaurant, you'd really think people would have the basic intelligence to check it first. Unless this was a deliberate scam to get a free drink and a sit down for a few minutes, in which case these people are even more annoying.

Anyway, after dinner we got the bus back home - the Victoria line was closed yet again this weekend, and anyway the bus is often a bit more convenient from certain parts of the centre. I spent the rest of the evening watching recorded TV shows, including an episode of IT Crowd, which I have to admit to being rather fond of.

My little Lady is a trained Hairdresser John.. she shouts from the kitchen to you "Long hair, short hair, we don't care!"

Posted by Jerry at 2007/10/01 23:17:27.

Thanks Jerry! So I do have at least one hairdresser who reads my blog, albeit by proxy. It was a long shot but it paid off!

Posted by John at 2007/10/02 09:24:20.

You also have a mother who is now worried that you might have toothache.

Posted by John's Mum at 2007/10/02 17:02:40.

We weren't discussing my wisdom teeth, we were discussing Tomoko-san's - between this visit to the hairdresser and my previous one she had been back to Japan to visit the dentists. Amazingly, even when you factor in the cost of the air fare, this often works our more cost effective (plus you get a significantly better standard of service) than braving the appalling dental service in this country.

Posted by John at 2007/10/02 19:59:48.

Is the Tokyo Diner easy to find John?.. My Little lady and I sometimes go down to Chinatown (has something to do with her being Chinese I think).. I often think "I fancy some Japanese nosh" as I do miss it so.. Can you recommend some places please?.. Ideally ones that won't fleece me of my paltry wages too badly.
Also, Janie (the aforementioned little lady) would like to know where that hairdressers is pls. As she finds it hard to find someone who can cut Asian hair decently. Thanks.

Posted by Jerry at 2007/10/03 01:51:58.

She adds "Going all the way to London for a haircut is certainly better than going to Japan for the dentist".. I reminded her though that the last few times she went back to Hong Kong she made a "bee-line" for the hairdressers.. "Oh" she said "But anyway.. That's different"..??????
No.. I don't know how it's different either John.
But I'm not going to argue with her..

Posted by Jerry at 2007/10/03 01:58:34.

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