The lunch set at Ginza Vomero is a selection of pastas and pizzas, appetizer plate, and coffee. A great value at ¥1430 ($10.50). Vomero is located behind the Kabukiza theater. It is between Tsukiji and the main Ginza shopping street. Vomero is a popular restaurant so avoid the main noon dining time. Several vegetarian options….
Okonomiyaki and Monjayaki
Okonomiyaki is the savory pancake that Osaka is famous for. The Tokyo version is called monjayaki and it’s the style I prefer. Not as much flour in the batter so parts of it are crispier. Konaya is a chain of restaurants where most diners do an all-you-can-eat plan. On weekends 1880 for 90 minutes ($14)….
Taiwan Dumplings in Kichijōji
Taiwanese food is trendy in Japan. In Kichijōji is an addictive roasted dumpling filled with beef and pepper (I think it was beef) at Roryu Koshi Mochi. The meat is highly seasoned with spices and pepper. The leeks are sweet and I think the dough was a little sweet. The dumplings are cooked like Indian…
Marunouchi Tsutaya Share Lounge
There is a new two-story Tsutaya bookstore just in front of Tokyo Station at the Marunouchi Building. On the fourth floor is a Starbucks inside the bookstore. On the third floor is a Share Lounge which has a buffet of snacks, breads, yogurt, juices, and beverages. There is also beer, wine, and canned cocktails. When…
Ercole Moretti
There are some tableware that I come across at restaurants that are so beautiful that it’s fun to add them to my home collection. I first came across Ercole Moretti while dining at Tsuru to Kame restaurant. However the restaurant was unable to tell me the name of who made the colorful glassware. They did…
Cold Sesame Ramen at Nihonbashi Sapporoya
The creamy sesame cold ramen at Nihonbashi Sapporoya. Close to Tokyo Station. So good I even order it in winter. 🥰🤣 Details from my book, Food Saké Tokyo.
Sushiro Conveyor-belt Sushi
Sushiro is our local kaitenzushi, conveyor belt sushi shop. It’s a fun sushi meal that starts at about $1 per plate (often with two sushi). The color of the plate determines the price. At the end of the meal staff will count up how many plates are on the table. Sushi is also fun as…
Shinbashi Oniyanma Udon
Bowl of cold handmade udon noodles topped with tempura of chicken and chikuwa grilled fish cake at Shinbashi Oniyanma. Oniyanma is from Shikoku known for udon noodles. We’re lucky to have this in Tokyo. This casual tachigui stand-and-eat shop is near Shinbashi station. There is a vending machine in front of the shop. This is…
Okutama Tamagoyaki Omelet
Ranway near Okutama station in Western Tokyo serves dashimaki tamago made with so much dashi that the savory omelet is juicy. The menu is simple. Select from three types of eggs. We did ukokkei (Gallus gallus) red junglefowl chicken eggs (1,700 yen) and the white eggs (1,300 yen). The ukokkei set lunch comes with a…
Odamusubi Breakfast in Shinjuku Station
新宿駅のおにぎりモーニング。 Onigiri breakfast at Shinjuku station. Odamusubi is part of Odakyu department store. Diners have a selection of onigiri filled with tart umeboshi, pickled takana greens, spicy mentaiko cod roe, and more. The breakfast is rounded out with three small dishes and miso soup. I love that some of the onigiri is made with rice…
Handmade Soba at Akatsukian
Soba is handmade daily at Akatsukian noodle shop in Ginza Mitsukoshi. A Tokyo travel tip is to check out the restaurants in department stores. These are typically located on the top floors of the department store. Akatsukian is a famous soba shop in Hakone, an onsen hot springs resort town south of Tokyo. Akatsukian has…
Nihonbashi Takashimaya Katsukichi Fried Oysters
My favorite fried oysters, kaki furai, in Tokyo is at Katsukichi. Katsukichi puts a few oysters in each fried oyster (at least two, maybe three or even four). A bit unwieldy at first, as I am used to eating much smaller ones, but it’s so delicious. I also love Katsukichi because diners can select white…
Kokubunji Tonki Tonkatsu
Tonki is a famous tonkatsu shop in Meguro, which dates back to 1961. It has a sister shop in Kokubunji, on the Chūō line, about 20 minutes west of Shinjuku. There was a line in front of the shop when we arrived, but not nearly as long as the lines I have experienced at the…
Shibuya Woodbury Coffee
Avocado toast at Woodbury Coffee located between Shibuya and Ebisu stations. Excellent espresso. Diners choose between a light or dark roast. Busy produce shop nearby. Branches in Daikanyama, Yoga, Gakugei Daigaku, and Ogikubo. My friend tells me the salads are delicious. Grateful to my friends for putting this on my radar. They love it so…
Avocado Udon at a Produce Shop
The avocado 🥑 udon 🍜 at Higashi-Ginza Daitsune. Daitsune is a produce shop, so expectations are high for good quality vegetables at this noodle shop on a quiet back street in Higashi-Ginza. Popular with local office workers it can get busy. There is a table out in front of the shop (or there was when…
Park Hyatt Tokyo Valentine’s Day Chocolates
These chocolates are from chef Julien Pertinet of the Park Hyatt Tokyo. Valentine chocolates this year comes in three unique flavors that will be fun to pair with wine (or even saké). The chocolates are available through March 14th, White Day, at the hotel’s Pastry Boutique. 1. wine and figs with cheese and vanilla 2….
TKG Raw Egg 🥚 Over Rice
Raw eggs over a bowl of rice is a popular breakfast in Japan. TKG (tamago kake gohan) is the nickname for raw egg over rice. At Ginza Matsuya there was a pop-up of gourmet eggs for TKG. Japan Tamago Kake Gohan Lab has a selection with tasting notes for each egg. Six eggs for 900…
Number Sugar Caramels
If you love caramels be sure to visit numbersugar_official. Fun flavors like raspberry, brown sugar, and rum raisin. There are a few branches in Tokyo. The Marunouchi branch has limited edition flavors of matcha, kokuto black sugar, and miso. https://numbersugar.jp
Yari ika spear squid 🦑
Sashimi at #IzakayaSakamoto, our home. This is yari ika, spear squid, that is in season in February. As sashimi the squid has a silky texture. The legs are scrubbed to remove the suction cups and then blanched in hot water. The contrast of the sashimi and boiled squid is a great way to enjoy yaki…
Onsen Spas, Books, and Chilling Out
Some weekends we spend half a day chilling out at onsen hot springs. It’s relaxing to soak in the warm waters, especially rotenburo outdoor hot springs with the cold breeze in the air. There are several types of hot springs to try. Ryusenji no Yu is a chain of hot springs centers. It’s like a…
Tsukiji Gyūdon at Kitsuneya
Kitsuneya at #Tsukiji Market is famous for offal (horumon in Japanese). The sliver of a shop also has a delicious #gyūdon, #beef #donburi #rice bowl. Napa cabbage #tsukemono pickles rounds out the meal. The leaves are squeezed into a tight bundle. Sprinkle with shichimi seven spice. Peel away the cabbage in layers. Kitsuneya is super…
Kaneko Hannosuke Tempura Donburi
Kaneko Hannosuke tempura donburi. Anago, shrimp, and vegetables. Only 1,500 yen ($11.50). Branches throughout Tokyo. An umami rich sweet soy sauce covers the tempura. Hannosuke is also famous for an egg 🥚 tempura with a soft yolk. https://kaneko-hannosuke.com
Rooftop Dining
A fun food tip in Tokyo are the rooftop picnic areas on department stores. It’s a great spot to enjoy a casual meal. This is Nihonbashi Takashimaya. The basement depachika food halls are filled with many options for lunch. Coloful #bento boxes, onigiri rice balls, sandwiches, salads, sushi, and much more. The rooftop picnic areas…
Colorful Rose Bakery Salads
Many of my clients say they crave vegetables. I get it. Many meals in Tokyo are simple and without a colorful variety of vegetables, especially salads. Ramen, tonkatsu, tempura, and yakitori. Eating meals like this I too crave vegetables – and that’s when I beeline it to Rose Bakery. Many of my clients say they…
Matsumoto Onsen Hotel Onyado Nono
When looking for hotels in Japan I seek out properties with onsen, ideally rotenburo which are outdoor onsen. I love the feel of the cold air while soaking in the hot springs and even better if I can see the stars at night. Onyado Nono is a chain in the Dormy Inn group. Dormy Inn…
Ginza Onigiri
One of my favorite #onigiri shops in Tokyo is Jyukkoku in the #depachika of #Ginza #Matsuya department store. There are always tempting fillings including cheese (trust me), grilled salmon, umami-rich mentaiko spicy pollack roe, and so much more. The vegetarian options are also great. Ginger, kombu kelp, and today’s spicy fermented chili paste and spicy…
Tokyo Station Aroma Kissaten
Aroma is a kissaten in the underground Yaechika mall at Tokyo Station. It is on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station. Yae short for Yaesu and chika for basement. Aroma’s morning set is a bargain 600 yen ($4.50). Coffee, boiled egg, thick cut toast, butter, jam, and azuki sweet red bean paste. The siphon coffee…
Saito’s Coffee Kissaten
Saito’s Coffee has been in business since 1948 (Showa 23). On a quiet back street between Kanda Station and Mitsukoshi department store. Before work the kissaten coffee shop was quiet. Most of the customers walked in for a cup of hand drip coffee for a bargain 250 yen ($1.90). To sit down inside away from…
Setsubun and Sushi Rolls
Today, February 3rd, is Setsubun in Japan. We start the day throwing dried soybeans saying out with the devil, in with good fortune. For dinner we made ehōmaki sushi rolls. The supermarkets are selling ehōmaki – lots of them. We enjoy making rolls at home. Once you practice a few times it becomes second nature….
Nabe Hot Pots
In the cold of winter donabe hot pots keep us warm and nourished. The nabe pot collection includes a variety of designs for sukiyaki, oden fish cakes, yūdōfu tōfu, tagine-style, okayu rice porridge, and earthenware pots in a variety of sizes including for one person. The colorful fish cake oden nabe is made with fishcakes…
Tsukiji Karaage Fried Chicken
Karaagé, Japanese fried chicken, is irresistible – especially here at Tsukiji Toritoh. Toritoh is a chicken-specialty shop that opened in 1907. The retail shop at Tsukiji is always busy, I assume with yakitori chefs. There are two restaurants. The main restaurant, around the corner for the retail shop, is usually packed, but it was a…
Tsukiji Toritoh Chicken Specialty Shop
Toritoh is a chicken-specialty shop at Tsukiji Market. There is a retail shop and two restaurants in the market. This steamed chicken over rice takes me back to Singapore. The menu includes chicken ramen, and karaagé fried chicken. Toritoh has a branch in the newer Uogashi Yokochō building on the third floor shokudō cafeteria space….
Tsubakiya Kissaten Breakfast
Lovely morning set at Roppongi Tsubakiya kissaten. Salad, ham, egg salad, toast, butter and jam, and coffee for 1,250 JPY (about $10 – and no tipping in Japan!). Diners have the option to toast the shokupan and also to select the house siphon coffee or today the special selection Tenkuu Columbia. The coffee is poured…
The Origins of Katsu Curry
Katsu curry, tonkatsu pork cutlet with curry rice, originated at Grill Swiss in Ginza. Lunch starts with a small salad and an asari clam and bacon soup. The dark brown curry is made with minced pork and beef is rich with spices and is topped with tonkatsu (1,540 JPY or about $12). On this day…
Salmon and Ikura Rice at Tsukiji
Delicious start to the day at Tsukiji Tadokoro Shokuhin, a fish roe specialty shop. The eat-in counter has rice and pasta dishes with ikura (salmon roe), tarako and mentaiko (both from pollack roe). There is also onigiri or omusubi rice balls stuffed with roe for take-away. This is rice sauteed in butter and soy sauce…
Yakiniku Like Barbecue
Yakiniku Like’s tagline is Tasty! Quick! Value! It is a chain of yakiniku barbecue with branches throughout Tokyo. Many of the seats are set up for solo diners, each with their own individual barbecues. The set menu includes meat, rice, soup, and kimchi. On the table are five different sauces, grated garlic, and a fun…
Matsumoto Mingei Hotel Kagetsu
Matsumoto has a rich history of mingei, traditional Japanese crafts. The Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu celebrates the mingei philosophy. The hotel opened in Meiji 20 (130 years ago). The older part of the hotel has rooms with some Matsumoto folk craft furniture. This part of Nagano is known for its hot springs waters and the hotel has…
Le Pain Quotidien Roppongi
When I lived in Brussels my local bakery was Le Pain Quotidien. I loved sitting at the wooden communal table sharing jars of jam and nutella with the other diners. The ham and Gruyere cheese omelette with a side salad and bread is a nice start to the day. The bakery has three jams and…
Japanese Pancakes
A popular trend are Japanese pancakes made with whipped egg whites. Fluffy and light. The crème brûlée pancakes included a bitter caramel sauce and was not too sweet. The marshmallow pancakes with ice cream and bananas was too sweet. There was a bacon, egg, and cheese pancake that looks amazing but sadly was sold out…
Kaitenzushi Haneda Ichiba at Tokyo Station
Haneda Ichiba is a kaitenzushi conveyor belt sushi inside of Tokyo Station. The company sends seafood directly from the fisherman to their restaurants. Fresh seafood at a better price as the product does not go through Toyosu Market. It’s a fun shop. Perfect on this day as I was with my kid. https://hanedaichiba.com
Fried Chicken in Matsumoto
Fried chicken at Shizuka near Matsumoto Castle. Sanzokuyaki 山賊焼 fried chicken is a local specialty in Matsumoto, Nagano. I love fried chicken and this one was crispy and juicy. Shizuka is an izakaya traditional Japanese pub. In the evening nihonshu flows and there is a long list of saké-friendly small bites like basashi horse sashimi,…
Matsumoto Kissa Senzu Wagashi
Kissa Senzu serves modern and traditional wagashi sweets inside of the historic Kaiundo confectionary shop, opened in 1884 in Matsumoto. Monaka, a crispy wafer is served with a flight of three types of red beans (smooth, chunky, and whole). A fun way to compare the textures. Dorayaki of two small pancakes stuffed with sweet anko…
Metoba Soba in Matsumoto
Metoba is a soba shop on the Metoba river that flows through Matsumoto in Nagano. Nagano is famous for its harvest of buckwheat grains for soba. I asked if there were any local dishes we could try and was recommended the soba pancake called soba usuyaki (literally thin and grilled). A bit thinner than Western-style…
Tachikawa Rainbow Spice Curry
Rainbow Spice, just one minute from Tachikawa station’s South exit, is sliver of a shop. Seven counter seats overlooking an itsy-bitsy kitchen. Rainbow Spice makes the curries from scratch and doesn’t use flour but yogurt as a thickener. This lunch was a double curry of a pork vindaloo, tart from wine vinegar with tender meat,…
Matsumoto cohiludo Oyaki
We are visiting Matsumoto in Nagano for winter holidays. One of our first stops was at the charming cohiludo café. It is on the main street leading to Matsumoto Castle from the station. Oyaki are stuffed dumplings, a local dish from Nagano prefecture. My favorite is the Nozawana, a mustard green leaf – also a…
Osechi Ryōri New Year’s Cuisine
Osechi ryōri is the traditional New Year’s Cuisine that is rich in symbolism. Over the years I have slimmed down what I prepare to only my favorites and then enjoy these dishes over the first few days of the new year. Here are some of the auspicious dishes: kuri kinton sweet potatoes and chestnuts –…
The Tavern at Andaz Tokyo
Lovely lunch at The Tavern – Grill and Lounge in the Tokyo Andaz hotel in Toranomon. On the 52nd floor and with high ceilings there are some dramatic views of the city overlooking the Imperial Palace and towards Tokyo Sky Tree. The salad Nicoise includes seared tuna, quail eggs, and caviar is a lovely starter….
Nihonbashi Yukari Shōkadō Bentō
The shōkadō bentō at Nihonbashi Yukari is a luxurious lunch. In the evenings the Iron Chef @kimiononaga serves a multi-course kaiseki menu of seasonal dishes. The lunch starts with a savory custard which is chilled in the summer and hot in winter. The bentō box has four sections: a collection of small bites – like…
Tsukiji Turret Coffee
My favorite coffee in Tokyo is Turret Coffee near Tsukiji Market. The seasonal latte at the moment is a Christmas inspired Buche de Noel with berries and a hint of rum. If you go be sure to check out the turret parked inside. It’s the vehicle used at the market for deliveries. Turret Coffee Chūō-ku,…
Food Sake Tokyo 