Not far from Tokyo Station is one of my go-to yakitori shops. Isehiro has been grilling chicken skewers for over one hundred years (est. 1921). The tsukune chicken balls, my favorite in the city, have a meaty texture. Isehiro calls these dango on their menu. When I worked at Takashimaya depachika down the street I…
Tag: food
Gotta Get – Taberu Rayu 食べるラー油
When shopping for food products in Tokyo I find there are some items you just gotta get. Either because they are so delicious or as they are a trendy item. Taberu rayu is in the second category. Popular for about two years now it is still a hot item on the market and can be…
Kakigori Shaved Ice 氷
The heat and humidity of Tokyo summers can be overbearing. What better way to cool down than with kakigori (shaved ice sweets). As a child visiting my family in Japan in the summer that is one of my fondest memories. Kakigori topped with sweetened condensed milk (ask for miruku) and garnished with some sweet azuki…
Japanese Knives 101
Japanese Knives 和包丁 Wabouchou There is no better place to invest in a knife than Japan. Although they are not inexpensive, if cared for properly, Japanese knives will last a lifetime. A good knife shop will also carry Western-style knives made in Japan that are sharpened on both sides. Traditional Japanese knives are sharpened only…
Setouchi Shunsaikan Antenna Shop
Setouchi Shunsaikan せとうち旬彩館 Minato-ku, Shinbashi 2-19-10 港区新橋2-19-10 Tel. 03-3574-7792 10:00 – 20:00, no holidays http://www.setouchi-shunsaikan.com/ (Japanese) This shop is a collaboration of both Ehime and Kagawa prefectures in the rich Setouchi inland sea on the island of Shikoku. Naturally this shop has a wide variety of seafood. Ehime is also famous for its production of…
Murakara Machikara Antenna Shop in Yurakucho
While antenna shops typically represent a prefecture, this shop carries a mishmash of items from all over Japan. The shop is not that organized, so you have to know what you are looking for. There are several antenna shops in the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan, like Hokkaido, Akita, and many more, so definitely worth spending some…
Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza – Antenna Shop
Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza 北海道どさんこプラザ Chiyoda-ku, Yurakucho 2-10-1, Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan 千代田区有楽町２−１０−１東京交通会館 Tel. 03-5224-3800 10:00 – 19:00, no holidays http://www.dosanko-plaza.jp/ (Japanese) The large northern island of Hokkaido is famous for many agricultural products including kombu, potatoes, dairy products and its rich seafood including salmon and crab. Potatoes are represented here with croquettes, dairy with soft cream…
Kagoshima Yurakukan Antenna Shop in Yurakucho
Japan is a small country, about the size of California, yet each prefecture and region has its own local food and the Japanese treasure these regional products. There is no better expression of the diverse terroir of Japan than its local commodities. Kombu harvested from the rich mineral waters of Hokkaido. The southern prefecture of…
Osechi Ryori – Japanese New Year’s Day Cuisine おせち料理
Homemade osechi ryori I made this osechi ryori set the first year I was married for my Japanese husband’s family. It took about a week in total (not all day but using parts of each day) of menu planning, shopping, and assembling each dish. Only the kamaboko and black beans were purchased. Top left box: datémaki…
Foodie’s Guide to Tokyo Part 1/2
This article which first appeared in Metropolis magazine highlights do not miss spots in Tokyo for foodies. http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/674/localflavors.asp (text follows) We are spoiled rotten here in Tokyo. The food-savvy consumers of Japan have raised the bar for the dining culture to a level found in only a few cities throughout the world. Here are my…
Gotta Get Food Shopping Tips in Japan
Shopping for food in Japan can be intimidating as there is often little to no English on the packaging. Here are a few tips for some of my favorite food products and how to use them in your kitchen. This article originally appeared in Metropolis magazine: http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/574/localflavors.asp (text below) Exploring a new food culture can…
Harvest Festival
Autumn is an amazing time to harvest vegetables and seafood in Japan. This article that first appeared in Metropolis magazine highlights the best of fall. http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/555/localflavors.asp (text follows) Having grown up in Minnesota, I will always associate autumn with a crunch underfoot while walking through fallen leaves on a crisp day. In Tokyo, I have…
Soy Right – Tofu Basics
An article from Metropolis magazine about the different types of soy products and my favorite soy shop in Tsukiji Market and a restaurant in Ginza: http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/550/localflavors.asp (text follows) Low in calories, rich in protein, minerals and vitamins—sure, tofu’s good for you. But, you may ask, how good can it taste? Tofu has gotten a bad…
Sushi Etiquette (2 of 2)
Metropolis magazine did a great job of laying out the basic categories of sushi. Click on the link below. http://metropolis.co.jp/dining/local-flavors/sushi-etiquette/2/ Sushi etiquette part 1 of 2
Sushi Etiquette (1 of 2)
Some basic sushi etiquette tips from my article in Metropolis magazine. http://metropolis.co.jp/dining/local-flavors/sushi-etiquette/ (text follows) If you are worried about the cost of your meal, ask when making reservations what the average price is for an omakase (tasting) course. If you arrive without reservations, it’s best to ask before you sit down. An obvious but oft-broken rule—especially when sitting…
Yuzu Kosho Kit Kats
You saw it here first. Is this an unusual combination or what? Yuzu kosho is one of my favorite Japanese condiments. It is a salty paste made from green or red chili peppers, although most often seen in the green form. Grilled yakitori (chicken skewers) can be spiced up with a bit of it, or…
Food Sake Tokyo 