photo by Olen Peterson We can demystify Tsukiji Market, the world’s largest seafood market, and introduce you to a new sushi neta, like kinmedai (splendid alfonsino) that is pink, slightly sweet, and is succulent. Introduce you to a wide variety of Japanese pickles. Lead you to a special bar where cocktails are made with seasonal fruit and…
Month: July 2013
Tokyo Station Car Bento
I love shopping for bentō boxes. Bentō are convenient meals, be it for a picnic, while traveling on a train, or when I am too rushed to put a meal together. Japanese schools are now on their summer holidays and Tokyo station is busier than usual with travelers. Inside of Tokyo station there are several…
The Artistry of Den 傳 2
Asamayama Natsu-Jun, or summer Junmaishu, was rich enough to stand up the fish course. Katsuo-zuké, skipjack tuna marinated in soy sauce, is a dish we eat at home, but this was so much more upscale. The katsuo was marinated for a much shorter time than we do at home. Also, I loved the egg yolk that…
The Artistry of Den 傳
Den in Jimbocho is a restaurant that everyone is talking about. I had to go and check it out for myself. I was told that chef Zaiyu Hasegawa is a great guy and a talented chef. (Note, if you are planning on eating there in the near future, don’t read through this blog post as…
Park Brewery at Park Hyatt Tokyo
Now that the rainy season has ended summer is officially here. Temperatures are soaring and while many are cooling down at beer gardens on department store rooftops, a great all-you-can-drink craft beer offer is at the Deli in the Park Hyatt Tokyo. The Deli has been doing this summer only special for five…
Sepia Chicago at Park Hyatt Tokyo
It’s always nice to go home. Ten years ago, I left New York City to pursue a career in food and wine in Tokyo my first job was as the sommelier at the New York Grill and Bar at the Park Hyatt Tokyo. It’s an amazing hotel and one of my favorite restaurants in Tokyo….
Narita Layover
So, you’ve got a long layover at Narita but not enough time to go all of the way to Tokyo. What’s a person to do? And, is Narita worth leaving the airport for? Absolutely. Just outside of Narita train station there is a tourist information booth. Pick up a map of the area so you…
Narita Airport Eats – Na no Sato 菜の里
A flight out of Narita airport is usually an international flight. Which often means having a lot of waiting time at the airport. Don’t make the mistake that I’ve done in the past, to go past immigrations thinking you’ll find something to eat close to the gate. Be sure to eat BEFORE immigrations. Lots of…
July Seasonal Japanese Seafood
Simmered ma-anago Seared katsuo July sashimi Some of our personal favorites include ayu (salted and grilled), shitabirame (meuniere), shijimi (miso soup), benisake (salted and grilled), and for sashimi – surumeika, kinmedai, takabe, and isaki. Ainame 鮎並 fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) Akashita birame 赤舌鮃 red-tongued sole (Cynoglossus joyneri) Awabi 鮑 abalone (Haliotis sorenseni) Ayu 鮎…
Nana Udon in Kokubunji 七うどん
A recent issue of Dancyu magazine featured the hot noodle of the moment, udon. Udon noodles are thick flour noodles. Restaurants are popping up around Tokyo and it’s not unusual to see long lines forming at lunchtime. Many of these shops have been around for a long time are seeing a new appreciation for these hearty noodles. In…
Food Sake Tokyo 