Kamiya Bar in Asakusa, opened in 1880, is one of Tokyo’s classic bars. Known for its signature cocktail, Denki Bran, made from brandy, gin, wine, curacao, and herbs. At 270 JPY per drink, it’s cheaper than coffee. Bottles of pre-mixed Denki Bran are popular omiyage (local gifts) that tourists can bring back home to share with their…
Category: Asakusa
Otafuku Oden in Asakusa
Otafuku in Asakusa has been serving oden for almost 100 years. It’s a great little spot for fishcakes stewed in a delicate seafood broth as well as seafood and other izakaya fare. I came recently with my friend, the food writer and reporter, Steve Dolinsky. Steve is originally from Minnesota and now lives in Chicago…
Food Gifts – Omiyage from Tokyo 東京のお土産
Omiyage most often describes gifts that you pick up while traveling that you bring back to your family, friends, and colleagues. For example, on a trip to Kyoto I may select some local jizake or wagashi for friends. For my colleagues at work I may pick up a box of yatsuhashi, a popular confectionary that Kyoto is known for….
What and Where to Eat in Tokyo
Updated May, 2016 I often am asked for restaurant suggestions in Tokyo. Wow. Where does one begin? The food is amazing, from the high end kaiseki restaurants and sushi counters to the neighborhood ramen shop or izakaya. Even on a budget it is very easy to eat well in Tokyo. Let me put here just…
Yoshoku – Yoshikami in Asakusa
Yoshikami in Asakusa is famous for its beef stew. Tender beef in a demi-glace sauce. Other popular dishes include the omuraisu (omelet enveloping ketchup flavored rice) and croquettes. The feel of the restaurant is like a diner from the 50s in the USA. Be sure to get a seat at the counter where you can…
Tokiwadou Okoshi 浅草の常磐堂
Tokiwadou Okoshi 常磐堂 Kaminari Okoshi Kaminarimon Honten Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-3-2 台東区浅草1-3-2 Phone: 03-3841-5656 http://www.tokiwado.com (Japanese) This shop to the left of the main gate is a popular destination for visitors. Okoshi are the popular food gift that Asakusa is famous for. These colorful, pastel-colored, puffed rice crackers include flavors like peanuts, almond, nori, mattcha, brown…
Izumiya in Asakusa 浅草の和泉屋
Izumiya 和泉屋 Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-1-4 台東区浅草1-1-4 Phone: 03-3841-5501 10:30 – 19:30 (closed Thursdays) http://www.asakusa.gr.jp/nakama/izumiya/ (Japanese) This quaint sembei shop presents the rice crackers in glass jars with tin lids. A wide variety of flavors include both sweet and savory like shiso, zarame (rock sugar), and a very spicy dried red pepper covered ookara. The very…
Kibundo Souhonten in Asakusa 浅草の紀文堂総本店
Kibundo Souhonten 紀文堂総本店 Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-2-2 台東区浅草1-2-2 Phone: 03-3841-4401 9:00 – 20:30, closed Wednesday no website This popular shop is on the main street just to the right of the Kaminarimon has a collection of kawara sembei (crispy, tile-shaped sweet crackers), uzura kasutera (small bite-size castella cakes), ningyoyaki, and a mix of crackers called okonomiyose.
Umezono in Asakusa 浅草の梅園
Umezono 梅園 Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-31-12 台東区浅草1-31-12 Phone: 03-3841-7580 10:00 – 20:00, closed Wednesdays and 2nd Tuesday http://www.asakusa-umezono.co.jp/ (Japanese) Just off of the Nakamise Dori the corner shop is easy to recognize from the red paper umbrella and benches in front of the shop. Umezono in Asakusa, opened in 1854, has a strong following for anmitsu,…
Iriyama Sembei in Asakusa 浅草の入山煎餅
Iriyama Sembei 入山煎餅 Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-13-4 台東区浅草1-13-4 Phone: 03-3844-1376 10:00 – 18:00, closed Thursdays http://www.prpub.jp/senbei/asakusa/iriyama.htm (Japanese) Popular round sembei are toasted until a golden caramel color and then dipped into a soy sauce. Only one style is made, shoyu (soy sauce). Uruchimai (rice) cakes are dried for 3 days and then grilled for five minutes….
Magurobito Kaitenzushi in Asakusa 浅草のまぐろ人
**** Note, this shop has closed. Magurobito まぐろ人 Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-5-9 台東区浅草1-5-9 Phone: 03-3844-8736 Monday – Friday (11:00 – 15:00, 17:00 – 22:00) Saturday (11:00 – 22:00) Sunday and holidays (11:00 – 21:00) http://www.magurobito.com/ (Japanese) Magurobito is kaitenzushi (revolving sushi) with a good value and a selection of seasonal fresh fish. It is very…
Mugitoro in Asakusa 浅草のむぎとろ
Mugitoro うぎとろ Taito-ku, Kaminarimon 2-2-4 台東区雷門2-2-4 phone 03-3842-1066 11:00 – 21:00, no holidays http://www.mugitoro.co.jp (Japanese) Mugitoro is next to the Komagatado temple. The entrance to the 6-story modern building has red paper umbrellas and benches. As there is usually a line to get in, this is a welcome site. Mugitoro’s signature dish is rice cooked…
B Kyu Gourmet – Cheap Eats in Tokyo B級グルメ
Here are some of my favorite restaurants that won’t break the bank. This article first appeared in Metropolis on November 5, 2009. http://metropolis.co.jp/dining/local-flavors/the-b-list/ The most sought-after tables in recession-hit Tokyo can be found at so-called B-kyu gurume restaurants. These eateries typically specialize in a single cuisine—soba or tonkatsu, for example—served in simple settings without the lacquerware…
Izumiya for Sembei in Asakusa
Izumiya 和泉屋 Taito-ku, Asakusa 1-1-4 Tel. 03-3841-5501 10:30 – 19:30 (closed Thursdays) http://www.asakusa.gr.jp/nakama/izumiya/ (Japanese) This quaint sembei shop presents the rice crackers in glass jars with tin lids. A wide variety of flavors include both sweet and savory like shiso, zarame (rock sugar), and a very spicy dried red pepper covered ookara. The very delicate…
Food Sake Tokyo 