Chef Koji Hagihara, Hakata Tonton, Japanese, West Village, New York, NY, Tonsoku, Slide Show, Recommendations, Chef’s Recommendations, Where to eat, Where to Drink,Where to shop, New York, Manhattan, Queens, NYC, Tokyo, Japanese, Chinese, American, New American, Shochu, Sake, Kombu, Kelp, Yuzu, Ingredients, Chef’s Recs, Markets, Stores,
Photo Credit: Troy House
Who
Koji Hagihara is the executive chef of Hakata Tonton in New York’s West Village.
Why
Chef Koji Hagihara’s delicious cooking of Hakata Tonton’s cult-like dedication to Tonsoku (pigs’ feet) could even convert the most staunch vegetarian.
Chef Koji Hagihara | Hakata Tonton
March 12, 2012
West Village - New York, NY
Q & A with Chef Koji Hagihara
Q. For people who have never been to Hakata Tonton, can you tell us about the restaurant:
A. Hakata Tonton is a Japanese restaurant which encourages beautiful skin by serving the nouvelle local cuisine of the Hakata borough, Fukuoka prefecture in the Kyushu area. We serve foods such as Mentaiko (Spicy caviar cod roe), Tonsoku (pork feet), and Motsunabe. You can enjoy many different kind of flavors across Asia.
九州福岡、博多の郷土料理、辛子明太子・豚足・モツ鍋や豚肉を中心とした新感覚のテイスト、アジア全土のフレーバー楽しめる美肌促進の日本食レストラン。
Q. Can you explain the Motsunabe cuisine?
A. Motsunabe is a hot pot dish made famous in Fukuoka, Japan.
A hodgepodge of delicious soup broth, cabbage, Asian chives, and beef tripe. Offal is used in cuisines from all over the world. It is also used cleverly in this special dish that has become a gastro-sensation in Japan.
有名な日本の福岡で作られた熱い鍋料理です。 おいしいスープスープの煮込み、キャベツ、アジアアサツキ、牛肉トライプスープ。 くず肉のすべての世界の料理に使用されているからだ。また、巧みに胃の感覚になっている日本では、この特別な皿に使用されています。
Q. Hakata Tonton owner Himi Okajima says eating tonsoku (pigs’ trotters) will keep you young. What is the belief? How much should we eat?
A. Tonsoku contains a lot of collagen, therefore you can get the best effect for beautiful skin by eating it. Collagen of Tonsoku is the best easily-absorbed food, compared to other foods. It is not too much to say that it is an edible beauty.
豚足にはコラーゲンを多く含んでおり、美肌高価抜群。
豚足のコラーゲンは他の食材のコラーゲンに比べて最も身体に吸収しやすい食材。
食べるエステと言っても過言ではない！トントンの塩焼きを1日1皿。
Recommended By
- Chef Chikara Sono (Kyo Ya in New York, NY)
- Chef Edward Lee (Magnolia 610 in Louisville, KY)
West Village
Japanese / Kyushu
61 Grove St New York, NY 10014
T: 212.242.3699 (make a reservation)
Website:
Hours:
Sun - Thu: 6pm - 12am
Fri - Sat: 6pm - 2am
Q & A
Tips & Advice
Tonsoku | Where To Buy
The Tonsoku we use at Hakata Tonton is from Wisconsin Berkshire pigs. It might be hard to get the exactly same one, however you can get Tonsoku at any supermarkets in Chinatown.
Tonsoku | Cooking Tips
1) Check that there is no odor.
2) See if the hairs on the skin are completely cut out.
3) Make sure the color hasn’t turned brownish.
4) Boil it long enough to make it very soft, then add your favoite seasoning.
現在レストランで使用している豚足はウィスコンシン州のバークシャーポーク（黒豚）です。それと同じものを購入する事は難しいと思いますが、チャイナタウンのスーパーマーケットでは何処でも購入できます。
気を付ける点は、匂いが無い物、表面の毛の処理が完全に出来ている物、色が黒ずんでいない物などを注意してください。
しっかりとボイルをし、豚足を柔らかくしてから、色んな味（お好みの味）を入れていくのが良いと思う。
Chef’s Recs 
Find | Chefs
Q. Chefs Edward Lee (Magnolia 610) and Chikara Sono (Kyo Ya) recommended you to Find. Eat. Drink. What chef do you think we should talk to next?
A. I recommend Mr. Hiroki Abe, who works at EN Japanese Brasserie.
さん
Yuzu Kosho | Yuzu Sco
Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Find | Ingredients
Dried Kelp
昆布
Yuzu Kosho
It’s like spicy pepper condiment. It adds spice to everything.
Yuzu Sco
A Japanese hot sauce with citrus and spice.
[See details.]
Chef’s Recs | New York City
Find | Asian Markets
Sunrise Mart | New York Supermarket | Hong Kong Market
Of course, the best are a Japanese supermarket. They have a wide selection of products, but mostly expensive. Recently, big supermarkets in Chinatown, such as New York supermarket or Hong Kong market, have many Japanese foodstuffs like vegetables, ingredients, processed products. So I can get everything I need there.
やはり日系のマーケットだと思いますが、品は豊富ですが値段は高いです。
チャイナタウンの大型マーケット（NYスーパーマーケット・香港マーケットなど）には、現在日本の野菜・調味料・加工品などありとあらゆる食材が揃っていますので、必要なものは全て買います。
[See details.]
Eat | Restaurants
Mochi Croquette and Shochu at EN Japanese Brasserie
Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Where I Would Take A Visiting Chef | EN Japanese Brasserie
For homemade tofu -- some nights, they’ll make it fresh three times during the evening.
手作り豆腐
Where I Eat When Not Eating Japanese Food
I eat a lot of Chinese cuisine on my day off.
Nan Bei Ho
For sticky tofu.
中国料理
店 臭豆腐
Szechuan Gourmet
There is one in Manhattan, but I like the one in Flushing, Queens.
Cafe China
For Chungking Sichuan Braised Fish and Mouth Watering Chicken.
店 水煮魚 口水鶏
Gramercy Tavern | Casa Mono
Photo Credit: Ellen Silverman | Find. Eat. Drink.
Favorite Restaurants
For their foie gras and lamb.
Their chicken liver pâté is very good.
[See details.]
Drink | Bars
Co-Op Food & Drink
Photograph courtesy of Co-Op Food & Drink
Co-Op Food & Drink at Hotel Rivington
To drink sake and shochu.
リビングトン
[See details.]
Chef’s Recs | Drinks 
Drink | Sake & Shochu
Tsukushi Mugi Shocyo & Kitaya Sake
Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Sake | Kitaya and Kansansui
Infinitely close to water, but it has a rich rice flavor. It goes well together with any kind of cuisine. The best grade Junmai Daiginjo.
Shochu | Tsukushi Mugi Shocyu
White Label
The best (barley - mugi) shochu. Very rich flavor and deep tastes. Recommended to drink on the rocks.
Black Label
Mugi Shochu finishes in the highest high, deep aroma. Recommended to drink on the rocks.
酒・・ 喜多屋 寒山水・・限りなく水に近い中にお米の香りがスーと追いかけてくる、どの料理との相性も抜群。最高級の純米大吟醸。
焼酎・・つくし（黒ラベル）麦焼酎の中では最上級の仕上がり、香り高く深い味わい。オンザロックがお薦め。
[See details.]
Recipes
Recommendations
Details of Koji Hagihara’s recommendations for where to eat, drink and shop in New York City and Japan.
City Guides
- New York City | Manhattan: Download
- New York City | Brooklyn: Download
Chef’s Recs | Tokyo, Japan 
Eat | Restaurants
Wakiya
Shanghai-style cooked Shark Fin, in a way that preserves its original shape.
そのレストランの名物は何ですか？
笑美茶楼
フカヒレの姿煮込み 上海スタイル
[See details.]