Kissa Streamer is on a quiet back street of Nihonbashi. The kissaten coffee shop dates back 50 years. It has been brought back to life by the famous Streamer coffee company. I love the vibe here. The interior is a traditional kissaten. Low-backed wooden chairs, tables closer to the floor, and warm lighting. But the…
Tag: cheap eats
Yakiniku Watami
Yakiniku Watami is a fun restaurant for barbecuing at your table. We went with her all you can eat which was great fun. A long list of meats and some vegetables to grill. A robot comes to your table and diners can bus empty tableware to the robot.🤖 Excellent value starting at ¥4,000 ($27). Lunch…
Mitsuyado Tsukemen
Mitsuyado tsukemen ramen are thick noodles served cold with a warm dipping tonkotsu pork bone, seafood, and vegetable sauce in a separate bowl. The noodles are dipped into the thick sauce. There is a dashi broth in a thermos for thinning out the dipping sauce towards the end of the meal. The noodles are made…
Kanazawa Kissaten
Kissaten are old school coffee shops. The morning service sets are often sandwiches or toast with coffee. I picked it because it was open early in the morning. New Katorea is not far from Ohmicho Market in Kanazawa. The newspaper had news on the local sumo wrestler Enho and local specialties crab and kanburi winter…
Kamakura Pasta
Wafu Italian, Italian cuisine made with Japanese ingredients, is trending in the US and has long been popular in Japan. We often make spaghetti at home using Japanese seafood or vegetables. It’s the perfect fusion cuisine. While we are on the road and eating mostly Japanese food we often will take a break from rice…
Hamanoya Parlour
The tamago sando at kissaten Hamanoya Parlour is a savory warm omelet with a schmear of mayonnaise and karashi mustard on white bread. The fruits sando includes peaches and pineapple with whipped cream, a luxurious start to the day. Tunes hum from a record player near the kitchen is a nod back to the 60s…
Bank Bakery
The Kabutocho area of Nihonbashi, long a quiet part of the city, is now a vibrant and cool spot with coffee shops, cafes, and an amazing bakery called Bank. @bank_bakery_tokyo has a colorful selection of sandwiches, tartines, breads, and some pastries. The pate de campagne sando is a thick slice and includes bacon, pickled red…
Ginza Tonki
Tonki is a local tonkatsu shop in Ginza. I love so much the ambience of the restaurant. It feels like a shop from 50 years ago. Kaki furai, fried oysters, is only from October through March. The small plate of pickles is set on the cup of hot tea. The meal is rounded out with…
Kokubunji Yamagami
My father-in-law called late at night last week excited that he discovered a new tempura restaurant. He wanted to know if I would join him. I ran out the door, even though I had already had dinner. Yamagami san’s eponymous restaurant, @tenpura.yamagami, is a sleek counter. I ordered just a few pieces a la carte…
Tohto Grill
On a quiet back street of Tsukiji Market is Tohto Grill. I first went as a new hire of Uoriki seafood company. We had an early morning visit to Tsukiji to see the auctions: tuna, uni, live seafood, and processed seafood. The only thing we missed was the produce auction. Breakfast was at Tohto Grill,…
Ginza Maru
Ginza Maru is a kappō restaurant that serves lovely grilled fish lunch sets in the heart of Ginza. Kappō is like a kaiseki restaurant but a bit more casual and with a counter where diners can talk to the chef preparing some of the dishes. On this day the options were miso gindara black cod…
Tsukiji Kitsuneya
The niku dōfu beef and tōfu stew with rice and sour tsukémono napa cabbage pickles (0shinko) at Kitsuneya. The shop is famous for its offal stew, which smells like a rich beef stew when one walks by the tiny stall. My favorite is the sukiyaki-like tōfu with meat in a sweet soy sauce broth. The…
Nishihara High Street
Nishihara High Street near Hatagaya Station is filled with so many cool shops. I used to live in this neighborhood 20 years ago. It was not this hip back then. Katane Bakery Cafe. Indulged in a basket of breads, salad, and latte. 1,210 yen (only $8). All of the breads are delicious. Picked up some…
Tsukiji Breakfast
My first meal at Tsukiji Market when I worked for a Japanese seafood company was at Toto Grill @totogurill. The busy shop was filled with fishmongers. It’s very quiet now that the wholesale market has moved to Toyosu. A local spot for breakfast away from the chaotic crowds of Tsukiji. The daily specials are always a…
Gargantua
One of the best bites I have had in a while is this seasonal vegetable tart at the #ImperialHotel bakery #Gargantua. Perfectly sliced squashes in gorgeous circles over an herbaceous base. The ham and cheese bun was also amazing. There is a small eat-in area in the popular bakery. The Imperial Hotel is near Yurakucho…
Ginza Breakfast
The morning set at the old school kissaten Furansuya in Ginza. The egg and toast set is only 750 yen ($5.00) includes coffee, with one free refill! Classic music plays in the background. The waitress wears a black dress with a white apron. I love these coffee shops and morning sets – even better when…
Osaka Kushikatsu
Kushi katsu, or kushi agé, are breaded and deep-fried skewers. Osaka is famous for this casual, crowd-pleasing dish. Kushi means skewer. Katsu refers to cutlets or breaded and deep-fried foods. Agé means fried. The fillings run the range from meat to seafood to vegetables and cheese. Order a variety of skewers and an ice cold…
Kyoto Obanzai
Nomura is a charming obanzai breakfast spot in Kyoto. Diners select six small dishes from a refrigerated display case. The basic set with rice and miso soup is a bargain 850 yen ($5.75). I upgraded and included yuba with a thick sauce over the rice. 🙂 The obanzai side dishes included mackerel, shiraae tofu sauce…
Kyoto Potstickers
Gyōza potstickers in #Kyōto. @sukemasa.takatsuji #gyōza are made with Kyōto ingredients: Yamari #miso, Kujō negi leeks, Fushimi #cabbage, and Kyōto mochi buta #pork. The Japanese-style gyōza are seasoned with #katsuo dashi stock and miso. Who doesn’t love potstickers? The meal comes with rice, miso soup, and #tsukemono pickles. I added a side dish of fuki…
Maitake Tempura Soba
Happened upon a busy soba and udon shop in the basement of the Shinbashi Eki Mae Building #1. The kissaten that I wanted to go to wasn’t open. This shop was busy with salarymen headed to work slurping noodles while standing for breakfast. I ordered a bowl of cold soba buckwheat noodles topped with maitake…
Shinjuku Soba
I was walking in a new part of Shinjuku and happened upon a nice soba restaurant. On the menu was a black soba made from black beans, black rice, black sesame seeds, and buckwheat. It is a seasonal menu item. Tip: always inquire if there is a seasonal soba. Fumotoya is in the basement of…
Beef Tongue Breakfast
Rikyū servers gyūtan, beef tongue, with rice, beef tail soup, and tororo grated mountain potato. Agree the tongue is grilled. #Gyūtan is a specialty of #Tohoku and particularly #Sendai in #Miyagi prefecture. Perfect breakfast at #TokyoStation for a long day of travel and exploring. Rikyū is located in the basement inside Tokyo Station in the…
Toraya Shave Ice
Toraya Japanese confectionary wagashi shop’s rich history can be traced back to the 1600s. While it is a traditional sweets shop I love the modern café serving matcha latté and in summertime kakigōri 氷 shave ice. Here is natsu mikan 夏みかん, a tart and sweet summer citrus and renyū 練乳 sweetened condensed milk. There is…
Tenka
Tenka Zushi is a kaitenzushi, conveyor-belt sushi, chain with a branch near Kichijoji Station. What makes this different from the other big chains is that the sushi is made by hand, not by a sushi robot machine. That means the rice is still warm. My girlfriend has been telling me for years how she loves…
Fukuro Juku
On a quiet street behind Itoya is Fukuro Juku, a sliver of a shop popular for its #kakigori #shavedice. Fukuro Juku also serves tai chazuke, sea bream sashimi in a creamy sesame dressing with rice and an umami rich dashi. The sea bream has a lovely rich texture. Enjoy a few pieces as sashimi with…
Acacia
Shinjuku Acacia is a famous yōshoku restaurant serving Western-style dishes since 1963. Acacia serves classic dishes like omuraisu – omelet over ketchup rice, curry rice, croquettes, and more. The signature dish is rolled cabbage which is delicious and made without milk, yet is creamy. The hayashi rice made with beef and a dark stew was…
Inari Zushi
Inari zushi is sushi made with deep-fried tōfu. Often these are packets that are stuffed with vinegared rice. There is a new style at #Ginza #Matsuya #depachika called at a shop called @tsukijitenko that makes inari zushi from @matsuyama_age. Matsuyama agé is fried tōfu that is dried so it is shelf stable. The fried tōfu…
Hoshino
The udon noodles at Hoshino in Nihonbashi are mocchiri chewy. The Sanuki style of handmade udon noodles is a popular lunch spot. I usually get chilled noodles with a splash of soy sauce or in a chilled dashi broth. The meal is rounded out with vegetable tempura – maitake mushrooms, onions, sweet potato, and Satsuma…
Ueshima
The morning sets at Ueshima Kissaten. The coffee shops are quiet spots to enjoy coffee or get some work done. I love the small fresh salad, thick toast and egg dishes. The Toranomon shop plays jazz in the background. Japanese kissaten coffee shops often have morning sets of coffee and toast and a boiled egg,…
Kugutsusō
Kugutsusō kissaten in Kichijōji is famous for its two year dry-aged coffee beans and spicy curry. The nel drip coffee is smooth. This is the morning set with thick toast, salad, and strawberry jam. I love the interior of the basement coffee shop. It feels like a cave. The wooden menu and salt and pepper…
Ajitaka
The lightest shaved ice 🍧 I have ever had. This one topped with a kabocha squash mousse with a hint of rum. The ice is made with spring water from Shinshū. The cafe is five minutes from Mitaka Station on the Chūō line. It is not far from the #GhibliMuseum. Strawberry and mango kakigōri from…
Kissaten Breakfast
Kissaten morning at Kanda Hobnob. Coffee, cucumber and tomato sando, two eggs and ham for a ridiculous 600 yen ($4.25). Quiet coffee shop on a side street. Hobnob also has a big menu that includes spaghetti, omu raisu (ketchup flavored rice topped with an omelet), and curry rice. It was hard to choose something for…
Harunaya
Just north of Ogikubo Station on Kyōkai Dōri shotengai street is Harunaya wagashi shop. The small shop has a colorful selection of Japanese confectionaries. This time of year the seasonal selection includes 青梅 aoumé, a green apricot shaped mochi filled with shiro an white bean paste and tart green apricot. The other traditional sweet is…
Woodberry Coffee
Woodberry Coffee is an excellent spot for coffee, salads, grilled cheese, and more. Woodbury has a few branches in Tokyo including in Shibuya. The Ogikubo branch is big with seating on three floors, including the rooftop. The Buddha Bowl salad includes quinoa, chickpeas, and a beet hummus. Woodberry Coffee Suginami-ku, Momoi 1-2-2 https://woodberrycoffee.com #foodsaketokyo #foodsakeogikubo…
Pelican Café
Pelican Bakery near Kappabashi is famous for its white bread. Pelican has a café for toast and sandwiches. The ham katsu sando is a thick slice of ham that is breaded and deep-fried. The katsu is covered with a thick sweet sauce. Potato salad and carrot soup to round out the meal. Popular shop, so…
Onigiri
Excellent onigiri shop Konga in the basement of the Akasaka Biz Tower. The cook apprenticed at the famous Otsuka Bongo onigiri 🍙 shop. Free refill of miso soup. 🥰 It is located near Akasaka Station. Follow the signs for Akasaka Biz Tower. Konga has opened a branch at Haneda Airport. I highly recommend this new…
Ikebukuro Tempura
Yamami is a fun tempura restaurant in Ikebukuro in the Sunshine Building. The shop is from Fukuoka so on the table are two classic condiments, mentaiko – spicy pollack roe, and karashi takana – a pickled green. The condiments are all-you-can eat. The tempura is brought to the table after it comes out of the…
Hotaka Kissaten
Hotaka kissaten at Ochanomizu Station opened in 1955. I love the velvet forest green booths and dark wood. The coffee here is very smooth. A simple toast, margarine, and orange marmalade is the morning menu. On a recent rainy morning the shop was quiet. A few solo customers reading a book and newspaper. I got…
Onigiri
The famous onigiri (or omusubi) restaurant Bongo has opened a sister shop in Shinjuku called Manma @onigiri_manma. We loved the onigiri. Mentaiko & cream cheese. Seasoned meat with a soy sauce-cured egg. Grilled salmon & sujiko salmon roe. My favorite was the bacon & cheese. The only side dishes are miso soup and tsukemono pickles….
Cheese Toast
Cheese toast at Dixans Patisserie et Café in Kanda, a short walk from Suidōbashi Station (and the Niwa Hotel). I have many clients staying at the Niwa Hotel. I hear such good things about the property. Great staff, nice rooms, and centrally located. It’s a good value hotel. Rates this week look to be about…
Bricolage Bakery
Avocado 🥑 toast at #Roppongi#Bricolage. My favorite bread in Tokyo is the dinkel (sp?) with grains. There is also a branch in #Shibuya #Tokyu #depachika. If the weather is good the outdoor seating is lovely. With owner and chef Namae Shinobu, one of Japan’s great chefs!
Kissa Royal
The morning set at Kissa Royal, only 650 yen ($4.75), includes coffee, toast, an egg, and a cabbage salad. Kissa is short for kissaten – the old school coffee shops. I love having breakfast at kissaten. Sometimes it is as simple as a piece of toast, boiled egg, and coffee. The shop was quiet. On…
Kyoto Ogawa
The morning toast set at Ogawa kissaten in Kyoto. This branch is located just across the street from Kyoto Station on the north side. @ogawacoffee Shimogyō-ku, Higashi Kōji-chō 902 https://www.oc-ogawa.co.jp/shop/ #foodsakeTokyo #foodsakeKyoto #coffee #kissaten #toast #Kyoto #Kyotomorning #Kyotokissaten #京都グルメ #京都モーニング #トースト #コーヒー #京都駅 #京都駅グルメ #Japan #Japantraveltip
Kyoto Suba Soba
A simple and satisfying bowl of buckwheat noodles at Kyoto Suba Soba. The simple shop only serves hot bowls of soba with a variety of toppings ranging from meat with a soft-boiled egg, steamed mussels with watercress or these enoki mushroom tempura. The bare bones shop is popular. Lots of young Japanese quickly came and…
Chicken Izakaya
Chicken from Miyazaki prefecture is the theme of this casual izakaya chain called Tsukada Nōjō. Each meal starts with fresh vegetables and a miso dipping sauce – free refills of the miso! Woo hoo. Potato salad, charcoal-grilled chicken with a salty yuzu koshō, spring rolls, gyōza pot stickers stuffed into chicken wings, and fried chicken…
Matcha Latte
Thick matcha 🍵 poured over 🥛 milk is intense and delicious. Kikuya Chaho tea shop is a short walk from Kōriyama Station in Fukushima. Matcha latte is a reverse import from overseas. It’s also sold at Tsukiji Market at Matcha Stand Maruni. Kinako roasted soybean flour and kuromitsu black sugar syrup is like a caramel…
Jingoro
Local noodle shop for handmade udon and soba. This hearty serving of thick Musashino style udon and soba is less than $6. Jingoro 甚五郎 Tōkyō-to, Kokubunji-shi, Honchō 3-12-2 http://www.jingo6.com/sp/menu.html
Ginza Tempura
Only $6.75 (¥920) for this vegetable tempura donburi rice bowl at Hageten. The menu includes ramen. Hageten is in the heart of Ginza. Ginza 5-6-7 Some of my clients like the restaurant so much they return during their stay in Tokyo. 🥰
bread, espresso &
bread, espresso & is an excellent bakery with several branches including Omotesando and this café in Shibuya at Miyashita Park on the second floor. Breakfast morning set here includes cheesy toasts, including one with truffles, or this cheese omelet with salad. It was busy on a recent weekday morning open from 8:00 a.m. Popular shop…
Food Sake Tokyo 