$8.95 chicken teriyaki and tempura bento š± in San Jose, pretty good price for lunch
Food, Shopping & Servicesmakes you wonder about the quality of meat. how can they make a profit here?
Keep wondering while u pay over $11 for a subway sandwich š„Ŗ
christ, how long ago was $5 foot longs?
I feel like not that long ago considering the song still gets stuck in my head periodically
Only a few decades ago
FIVEEEE
I remember in 2018 I bought them a lot.
Exactly, why wonder when you can find out for yourself!
I got a subway gift card for free and I still refuse to go use it without a buy one get one deal.
I only see maybe 3oz of meat here, everything else is dirt cheap. The sushi is definitely imitation crab.
That being said for everything else thereās a bit of labor to put this together, makes me wonder if like a retired parent is working here for free doing all the food prep.
Chicken thigh meat you can get it for like a dollar a pound when ordered by 40 lb case. So that like one price of right which probably food cost like 25 cents for the thigh.
If youāre just talking about food cost here itās no more than $2, if even that.
Its just chicken thigh with teriyaki sauce lol. I can get a large pack at grocery outlet for 4 dollar.
Sure
But u got to make tempura too and cook the chicken on a char grill
And cut up the salad š„, cook rice and cut up an orange š
And u got to get imitation crab, nori, avocado and sushi rice to make California rolls
And u got one hour to make it during ur lunch break
And ur food cost and labor should not be over $8.95
All the prep work has been done either in the morning or the day before. The only thing they need to do is make your roll. Not saying its bad, I think its extremely valued these days but the other guy make it sound like the chicken is some sewage ingredients for being so cheap.
True Japanese bento boxes are a made to be a very cheap food.
You must have time traveled to 2010s during your lunch
The restaurant had a hot tub Time Machine in the restroom
Thatās how I went thru
wow that looks pretty darn good for the price.
I had sushi there before for a weekend lunch and for the prices, they were good! Nothing incredible in the grand scene of Bay Area sushi but the area itās in (Alum Rock) can definitely benefit from a decent sushi joint
Yup š
Iāve been going since they opened in January for lunch
Itās actually cheaper than going to in n out, Wendyās, jack in the box nearby
And u get full table service
Their servers have astronomically improved since they opened and I had my water and free hot tea filled 3 times without me asking at all
Unlike fast food places where u got to pick it up
There is A LOT to be said about you literally had the CHEAPER option than the fast food joints that you named. Always wild to me when that is the case. Free water and tea, sit down atmosphere, food that doesnāt come out of a bucket? Yeah this was the right call!!! Apparently Subway foot longs are the same price as an Ikeās sandwich, more or less. Seems like an easy call!!
Subways sandwiches cost MORE than this meal
And the bread at subway is limp and full of air
It deflates when they wrap it
And they have the audacity to ask for tip when ur paying at the kiosk machine
For real. That is what is crazy. I was a $5 foot long teenager and you ate it because it was $5, not deep fried, and it was $5. It should never cost more for chain BS quality
What place is this?
I'm going to disagree a little bit. Their Sashimi is top quality. Melt in your mouth.
You donāt know what top quality sushi is until you go to Japan. Ā
Just wait til you see what you can get in Japan for 1,379 Yen.
I know, been to Japan several times
Itās a crying shame what we pay for here in the U.S. and the low quality and quantity we get compared to even Tokyo
Japan is so cheap now too with the yen and USD exchange rate
I want to go back so badly
Japan is so cheap now too with the yen and USD exchange rate
I mean it's cheap for us, but the locals certainly don't feel that way about it...
Itās the reverse from the 80ās when the yen was strong and the Japanese were buying up so much U.S. assets
It's really sad... imagine losing 10% of your savings, a 10% paycut and loss in purchasing power all within the timespan of a month.
Was just there, it's depressing to be back in the bay and have to worry about things like personal safety and shoplifting... and omg the food it's hard to have a bad meal.
U can reverse the trend by supporting local business that have good deals like these around ur neighborhood
Once those mom and pop restaurants thrive
More people will come and improve the neighborhood
Help out with your wallet
Spend less on corporate companies that have headquarters in corporate welfare Delaware and help our ur local places
Was just there and it's nice to be back in the bay and not have to deal with toilet slippers, showing shoulders or cleavage taboo, not being allowed in because not Japanese, being judged for eating while walking, being stared at for not wearing what everyone else is, etc etc.
Japanese food is good though I wouldn't want their wages.
Their economy is extremely badd in japan, their government supplements a lot . The dollar is obviously stronger than the Japanese yen
been to Japan several times
yet you're willing to eat this "pretty good price for lunch" ?
If we could move Japan to the Bay Area
Yes
Unfortunately weāre over 5,000 miles away and need to spend $1200 for a round trip air fare to spend Ā„1400 yen to get a better deal
Or
I could just go to this place in San Jose and spend $8.95 on a pretty good meal
Wouldnāt u?
No, i wouldn't. Every time you claim that $8.95 abomination is a "pretty good meal" I'm more convinced that food in Japan was wasted on you, and your standards are incredibly low.
Yes u would
Admit it
Stop hiding behind Reddit
We all know u will
Itās ok
This is a safe space for u to admit it
Its also a safe space for you to admit that you don't know what good food is. If you want to promote super cheat food, feel free. Don't lie to yourself and everyone else claiming that this food is "pretty good". The only way that's true is if you don't know what good food really should be. I also don't believe you ever went to Japan.
I love to travel to Europe and Asia
And eating good food is one of the things I like to explore when Iām traveling
Whatās the best place you have eaten at?
Man, eating in Tokyo was "suffering from success." So many good, inexpensive places to eat that I would get "analysis paralysis" trying to pick one.
I would pick the ones with long lines. Ā Never been disappointed yet.
Hard to wait an hour in line after 25k step days. My trick was to get off schedule and eat at odd hours (~10a/3p/9p) to beat the lines and try to squeeze in ~4 meals a day.
Japan is on sale. Ā The yen is weak.
Just wait til you see what the median income is in Japan.
Just wait till you find out that minimum wage in Japan is roughly $6 and the value of the Yen is the lowest itās ever been since 90s. So yes itās cheap to us, we make money in US Dollar.
japan town sf at least $16-18
Even that price is acceptable to me at this point. I've been to some places that are charging $22-24 for bento boxes in the Peninsula and it's insane.
I was honestly kinda sad when the lunch bento at Kui Shin Bo crossed the $15 threshold...but I get it...
Yeah, but when has Japan Town SF ever not been an overpriced tourist trap?
Hell it's the same in Japantown SJ!
I was at the hospital cafeteria getting some things for my wife while she was in the Emergency Room (Redwood City). I purchased a 6 0z. Tropical fruit mix, and a 20 Oz. Bottle of water and it was $9.43. I know everyone has their beef with American Health Coverage and big Pharma and all of that, but just in case you are listening, they also found ways to gouge you if you want water while your wife is getting X-Rays. Long story long, that is the best deal for food Iāve seen in years.
Preach!
We need to vote with our wallets and support places that have good value
Rather than supporting these corporations that are price gouging
I live on the Coastside, south of Pacifica, but Iāll make the treck when Iām over the hill to support those shining stars!
Weāre planning to go this weekend to pillar point and get some fresh fish from the docks. Got any recommendations for a good seafood place along ur area?
Barbaraās fish trap for fish and chips for sure! Kidding aside when my wife and I want killer fish or shrimp tacos, tostadas, or burritos, we hit up Mercado & Taqueria De Amigos in Pescadero. Some people get weird because it is located in a gas station lol. If you want sub par, expensive food with a great view, Samās Chowder House is the best spot. Lemme know what you end up getting!
Thank u
quarrelsome person library file mindless existence intelligent cats governor bow
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Itās really great food, but itās such a hard sell. āGas station Mexican foodā is a wild idea. Always order a churro for each person, their seafood is always on point, grabbing a beer with it all, makes this spot the number one.
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5 years ago that was a 5.99 lunch special with a larger portion size. Lol the slice of orange.
More like 2005
For that price I dont mind it is prep by a Vietnamese chef's feet. I m coming.
I honestly didnāt need that visual
Sorry I ruined it.
go on....
Like I need your encouragement
The only thing that comes to mind is "what year is this!?"
2005
Iāll question Sysco
THIS it looks like school cafeteria food tbh.
tiny bits of hacked up chicken with sauce gooped on top, tempura with too much batter congealed on one side, and partially rotting vegetables inside (not the black spots), and the california roll is a weird, misshapen blob.
when food is ridiculously cheap, there's a reason, and its never good.
Stick to McDonaldās and subway and pay over $11 just for the burger and sandwiches
The corporations love customers like u
Iāll keep going to this place and similar places like it
And eat for less than $9 and get a full service meal
While u wait for u number to be called to pick up ur food wrapped in paper
Won't you take me to
Location?
Sushi town
3116 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95127
Kansai happy hour is our best deal here in Oakland
I really love this place...
$9 for a bento!! Brah, I need to check it out
Definitely check it out
And servers were phenomenal
Ask for the free hot tea and water
This bento is the number 1 option on the menu
Ramen101 has good chicken & broccoli for $10. Golden gate pho also has hella good meals for a low price
Wow can't even get a sandwich for that anymore. Nice find
Or even McDonaldās
They had a branch/chain/sister restaurant in San Mateo that closed. Please, please support them. They cannot close!
OMG, exactly what I order! For $8.95? Oh Iām there! Thanks OP! š¤¤
When something this cheap, i am always questioning the quality of ingredients
Stick to the $15 lunch bento with the same quality and portions
So you wonāt question it
Portions look really quite small to me.
Or, i dunno, maybe don't pay $15 for crap either?
you pretend as if its some devil's bargain between super cheap crap food, and not super cheap crap food.
Iām not paying $15
Iām paying $8.95!
That chicken looks suspect mane lol
Itās very good and was chargrilled
srsly, it looks like the leftover hacked up bits from the previous day's full price menu.
Yes
Is this the cash-only place?
Is this the cash-only place?
I paid with Apple Pay š°
Damn must be the bargain basement cuts.
Itās premium attic cuts
Literally a steal anywhere in the vay
Man dat luck rig good many
Restaurant name?
Swipe right
To the 3rd picture
Thanks. Sorry was too enamored by the food and convo surrounding it haha
Yeah
Itās amazing that so many people have so much drama over $8.95 lunches
people complain about food being expensive and then shit on cheap food. smh. thx for sharing OP. btw check out ikea on tuesdays as all hot adult entrees (meatballs, salmon, etc) are $3.99.
Think I'll give this a try this week. The portion looks kinda small though. I checked the images out on yelp.
Try it out and u be the judge of it
How are they paying their employees a livable wage? Either a family restaurant all living in the same household or using individuals that are vulnerable.
Itās the lunch special
Its grand scheme
Teriyaki should have some char on it, this looks boiled with sauce thrown over after. Also the āsushiā looks like it used Chinese steam riceā¦but hey if you liked it thatās cool.
I didnāt like it
I LOVED IT
Great!
Awesome š
What's the name of the restaurant and location?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tvRC1EwueQcvtyjK8?g_st=ic
Sushi town on alum rock and white in San Jose
Are you sure that's chicken??
I saw it hatch š£ from the egg
Meow.
Woof woof š¶
This is pretty classic "what America thinks Japanese food is". Not knocking it (Japan has equally questionable "this is Japan thinks American food is"), but it's funny to me all the same.
Glad to have found a redditor who would never order this Americanized Bento lunch.
I do order them sometimes, although I'd go with salmon/fish and hopefully a nigiri/sashimi option instead of the CA rolls.
Itās a lunch bento meal thatās in a set.
So u do order California rolls that u look down upon on
Fuck off.
Weāre just talking California rolls and Americanized šŗšø bento š± lunch boxes
That are beneath ur high quality Japanese palette
Where is this??
Sushi town on alumrock and white road in San Jose
If it is 8.95 it is either expired or going to expire very soon.
Itās a lunch special thatās so fresh, the chicken just hatched š£ from the egg š„ this Morning
"lunch special" When I worked in food service the "special" is always things that are going to go bad.
That special has been going on since they opened in January
They make it everyday
That amount of food will fill u up and itās worth it. Screw 5 guys on their prices
And the rest of the fast food places
In n out, Burger King, McDonaldās, jack in the box
All COST MORE than this lunch bento
And it comes with free hot tea and ice water
They refilled both 3 times without me asking at all.
They had awesome š servers and staff
Thatās a nice looking bento for $9.
Does anyone know of any places doing something similar in Oakland?
Mala pixiu tong (I've probably murdered the spelling) is a Korean hotpot place on telegraph that is usually about 35$ for both me and spouse to eat. Highly suggest.
The Bancham/vons chicken place is pretty decent pricing as well. And their chicken is killer.
Oooh š®
$8.95??? Looks like ~$22.00. Good deal (even if you are eating California rolls)!
Why are so many people on this thread acting so weird?
They have been conditioned by corporations to pay $15 for their meal and pick it up and serve themselves. Pick up their own utensils and clean up their own tables and get charged extra for drinks.
So when a glimmer of what we used to get pre pandemic,
full sit down service, free refills on hot tea and water, $8.95 lunch bento š± meals, awesome customer service
They donāt recognize what we used to take for granted
Now they attack and are suspicious of anything that resembled what we used to get
Go figure u price your items for the general consumer and get tons of money business take notes š
Before the pandemic, I judge a Japanese restaurant on how well they serve their sashimi. After the pandemic, I just buy salmon n tuna from Costco. Freeze them for 2 weeks, thaw, then eat. This is only for sashimi lovers, sushi lovers hate this trick!
Sashimi is usually flash frozen to kill parasites. I hope youāre not just freezing raw fish in your freezer and calling it good.
I was under the impression that just about all commercial fish is flash frozen now, meaning you can probably use it safely for sashimi.
it might be okayā¦ depending on equipment, temperature, and time. but Iād feel more safe with a commercial freezer and flash frozen, as well.
You can freeze raw fish in your freezer and call it good as long as:
Your freezer is cold enough & you follow USDA frozen time guidelines
It's a saltwater fish without parasite issues you're freezing
Costco sells sushi grade sashimi this guy shouldnāt be getting toasted so hard.
Specific reason why?
Guess they donāt like fish š
And looks like they deleted their comment
š¤£
You understand that california rolls were invented using imitation crab, right?
California rolls = Imitation crab
If you want ālegitā sushi, you wouldnāt be ordering a California roll.
That looks like throw up
sadly, this is the wrong sub to have food standards. people only seem to care about how much it costs, not whether its really worth what it costs.
Perhaps post on r/michelinstar
Takes one to know one
That's an incredibly low price for a Bento box.