If you’re on a budget in Japan 🇯🇵 on holidays check out the Dormy Inn chain. This simple room was less than $100. The basic room is small, but you’re in Tokyo, so most likely are only in the room to sleep and recharge. This Kodenmacho property in Nihonbashi Ningyocho has a hot springs on…
Tag: Tokyo
Tokyo Shortlist
Where to eat in Tokyo? So many amazing meals. Hard to get a bad one. Here are some of my favorites: For Eater: https://www.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-tokyo-japan For Food & Wine: https://www.foodandwine.com/yukari-sakamoto-8603981 For AFAR: https://www.afar.com/authors/yukari-sakamoto My Tokyo Guide for the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/japan/tokyo-local-guide/ For Tokyo Weekender: https://www.tokyoweekender.com/author/yukari-sakamoto/ Kanazawa for Food & Wine: https://www.foodandwine.com/worlds-next-great-food-cities-7484717 Cathay Pacific on Kyoto: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_KR/inspiration/dining/best-restaurants-in-kyoto.html…
Toyosu Market
It was my pleasure to get an interpreting job at Toyosu Market with a journalist writing an article on the world’s biggest seafood market. Although I did tours at Tsukiji Market the new Toyosu Market is off limits to non-trade people. One morning it was amazing to meet Yamazaki san of Yamaharu. A colorful variety…
Toyosu Nakaei Curry
One of the meals I miss from the old Tsukiji Market is Indo Curry Nakaei. Was lucky to do some work at Toyosu Market this week. There is an area with several restaurants, many serving sushi and seafood dishes. I was excited to have the double curry – Indian and beef curry along with a…
Pizzeria il Tamburello
Fabulous truffle and Gorgonzola #pizza at Puzzeria il Tamburello in the Nihonbashi area. Served with toasted hazelnuts, pine nuts, and honey. Three croquettes to start the meal. Aonori, potato, and pasta croquettes. All fabulous. Italian music in the background.☺️ Il Tamburello is celebrating its 14th anniversary! Delighted to finally make it. Popular shop with only…
Wako
Wako is our neighborhood #tonkatsu shop. Lunch for three for only ¥4,000 ($28). Check out the lunch specials on the board. Many at only ¥1,000 ($7). Wako also provides complimentary refills of cabbage, rice, and miso soup. Many tonkatsu shops offer this so don’t be shy. Ask. Just be sure to try and not leave…
Kaneko Hannosuke
Fun lunch with udon and tempura at Kaneko Hannosuke, a popular tempura shop with several branches in Tokyo. My kid picked this lunch spot because he was excited for the condiments on the table: onsen super soft boiled egg wakamé tenkasu tempura bits tororo kombu shaved kelp mountain vegetables gobo burdock root and ginger pickles…
Katsukuchi Tonkatsu
One of my favorite #tonkatsu restaurants in #Tokyo is @katsukichi_official. My first time to visit the #Marunouchi branch in the Shin Marunouchi building on the 5th floor. The Hiyashi Katsu Don is a large bowl of rice topped with a warm fried pork cutlet topped with a slippery grated mountain vegetables, okra, myōga, cucumbers, shiso,…
Haneda Villa Fontaine
At Haneda Airport near Terminal Three is the Villa Fontaine Hotel with an onsen hot springs @izumitenkunoyu. The location is ideal if you have an early flight or a late arrival into Tokyo. The room is basic but I am mostly here for the onsen and for a bed that is near the airport so…
Northeastern University
Northeastern University has a fabulous summer program on the Food of Japan. Professors Susan Ito and Jared Young have put together a syllabus packed with lectures with speakers including my mentor, Elizabeth Andoh. I had the great pleasure of speaking to the students. Ideally we would have done a market tour together, but my tours…
Vegetarian French at est
A delightful vegetarian meal at @esttokyo at the @fsotemachi. The cuisine is mostly made with locally sourced Japanese ingredients. Chef @guillaumebracaval masterfully creates dishes that showcase the seasonal vegetables. Highlights include a corn flan accented with a gazpacho-inspired tomato sauce and sweet corn kernals. Roasted potatoes thinly and accented with black truffles. Tartly pickled zucchini with a sweet…
Yoshinozushi Honten
No When working at Nihonbashi Takashimaya I sometimes would have lunch at Yoshinozushi Honten. The sushiya dates back 140 years. Yoshinozushi is famous for being the restaurant where fatty tuna was first called toro. It is a fifth-generation restaurant. When I was going about 20 years ago there was a young apprentice, Takuya, who was…
Coin Cafe
Chai at the peaceful Coin basement cafe. Excellent selection of breads at Bank bakery that can be brought to the cafe. This is in a quiet part of Nihonbashi Kabutochō near the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Will be a good place to work on a laptop or to do some writing. CoinChūō-ku, Nihonbashi Kabutochō 6-7
Milk Stand
Milk stand inside #Akihabara Station. Dozens of #milk options from producers throughout #Japan. Even flavored milks like coffee, strawberry, and vanilla. Some days my commute into the city goes through this station and it’s a fun ritual to take a break. Feeling the rush of passing commuters and the breeze from trains on the nearby…
Mandegan
Mandegan is cool and casual sake/wine bar in Shibuya. It is by the brilliant Kotaro Hayashi san of the eponymous izakaya Kotaro, which just celebrated its 13th-anniversary. Mandegan opens at 4 p.m. and is a great spot to stop by for a few small bites and glasses of sake or wine. The menu includes some…
Yoku Moku
My go-to omiyage gift for friends is Yoku Moku cigares packed in its signature tin boxes. Starting today through June 14th Yoku Moku has a limited edition matcha cigare with matcha chocolate inside. The sweets are sold in every department store and I believe at both Haneda and Narita airports (last time I checked). The…
New York Grill
The infamous Park Hyatt Tokyo will be closing temporarily starting May 7th, 2024. The hotel will undergo a full refurbishment. The hotel is 30 years old. I went for one last lunch at the timeless New York Grill and Bar. It is one of Tokyo’s top steakhouses. The lunch is a luxurious buffet for appetizers…
Eggg Café
@eggg_kokubunji is famous for fluffy pancakes but we also love the omuraisu. This one with tender beef cheeks and a demi-glace sauce. The knife 🔪 is full so it’s hard to cut into the omelette on top of the ketchup rice. If you’re curious to try the pancakes this is a great spot. The café…
Natsuno
My favorite shop for #chopsticks in #Tokyo. @ginzanatsuno has a colorful selection of chopsticks🥢, chopstick rests, and some tableware in the heart of #Ginza. I have collected several pieces from here over the years and they all brighten up each meal. Ginza NatsunoChūō-ku, Ginza 6-7-4
Kunio
Shio ramen and a tsukemen with a wonton dipping sauce. Plus a side order of chashu gohan, rice topped simply with sliced chashu pork with a splash of a sweet soy sauce. We have tried to dine here but there is always a line. As it’s raining today my brilliant child said, we should go…
Tonki
Tonki tonkatsu pork cutlets. This branch is in Kokubunji which is much easier to get into than the Meguro restaurant. The tonkatsu is very different as it isn’t covered with the shards of panko. My friend cooked at the Meguro restaurant. As I recall the pork was dipped in egg, flour, egg, then a fine…
Wazaya
Wafu pasta, Italian dishes with Japanese ingredients, is always a comforting meal. Here scallops and Japanese mushrooms eringi, kikurage, and shimeji in an uni cream sauce. Here at Pasta Wazaya near Mitaka Station on the JR Chuo line. It is in the area of Inokashira Koen park and the Ghibli Museum. The menu is long….
Ginza Hangetsu
Ginza Hangetsu double curry 🍛 of coffee pork and ginger chicken with turmeric rice. Perfumed with fresh spices. Sliver of a shop on a quiet Ginza backstreet. Friendly staff and an English menu. Excellent value at ¥1,200 ($8). Ginza HangetsuChūō-ku, Ginza 6-4-15
Ehōmaki
Today in Japan is Setsubun, the last day before Risshun, the first day of spring in the old Japanese calendar. While homes first day of spring in the old Japanese calendar. While homes with kids will throw dried soybeans at someone wearing a devil’s mask chanting “out with the demons, in with good fortune”. If…
Akomeya
Akomeya is a fabulous shop to stock up on pantry staples, rice, condiments, and tableware. There are a few branches at Nihonbashi Takashimaya, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. The main shop in Kagurazaka is organized over two floors and includes a restaurant. The beautiful space was designed by architect Kengo Kuma. Bookmark @akomeya_tokyo if you love cooking…
abats Charcuterie
Mind blown by the impressive line up of charcuterie at Kagurazaka abats charcuterie. Worth the journey across town. Pate de Campagne, duck and almond saucisson, truffle liver mousse, and pork rillettes. I will recreate a French bistro at home with Bricolage dinkel bread of spelt, pumpkin and sesame seeds. Bon appetit! abats Shinjuku-ku, Yamabukicho 332 …
Nagasaki Antenna Shop
Antenna shops are stores the features food and crafts representing one of Japan’s 47 prefectures. These are fantastic sources for hyper-local products and some also offer travel information if you’re visiting a prefecture. We love researching local train and bus schedules, museum exhibits, and find out about kyōdo ryōri local dishes. Some of the antenna…
Mitaka Vegan
On a quiet residential street about five minutes from Mitaka Station is Hitokokyū. The vegetarian restaurant has a nutritious set lunch with main dish options like carrot croquette, vegetarian gyōza potstickers, and kurumabu wheat gluten cutlets. Diners pick either genmai brown rice or a kōso genmai, fermented brown rice with azuki beans. The meal is…
Kissa Streamer
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…
Tsuruya Yoshinobu
A truly unique experience is to watch a shokunin artist create a wagashi traditional confectionary right in front of you at Tsuruya Yoshinobu in Nihonbashi. This style of wagashi, called nerikiri, is made with a malleable white bean paste. The master works very quickly in creating these edible works of art. Guests are seated at…
Sembikiya
A local spot and a luxurious treat is the Sembikiya Fruit Parlor in Nihonbashi. On the second floor of the historic shop which dates back to 1834. Sit at the counter to watch as the staff cuts by hand many different types of fruit for parfaits and fruit plates. I visited Sembikiya with @gonellietravel founder…
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…
Zōjirushi Shokudō
Zōjirushi, the company famous for electric rice cookers and many other products, has a restaurant near Tokyo Station in the Kitte building. The concept is smart marketing with Zōjirushi rice cookers in the middle of the restaurant. Zōjirushi sesame grinders and a Zōjirushi insulated cup are on each table. The drink bar includes a variety…
Crazy Pizza
I am so excited to see Crazy Pizza opened in the new T-Market at Toranomon Hills. It was hard to decide and it’s fabulous that the shop will do half and half so the decision making isn’t as stressful as it could be. The crust is thin and light. The seasonal pizza is seri or…
Toyama Tsutaya
Kissaten are retro coffee shops that often serve my favorite breakfasts while I am on the road. Tsutaya in Toyama city opened in 1923. A smooth cup of coffee with toast, omelette, and a salad. Just like I have at home. Perhaps that is why I love these meals. Love the handwritten notes on the…
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…
Tokyo Market Tours
It’s been an exciting year for market tours for Food Sake Tokyo. With the border finally open and inbound tourists at its highest numbers I’ve been very busy. Thank you so very much. I am grateful to my kind and witty clients. I learn so much from them as I share Japanese cuisine and food…
Viola
An exciting newcomer to the Tokyo food scene is Viola, serving traditional Japanese cuisine. The homestyle dishes are served kaiseki style, in courses. Dashi, the basic umami rich stock, is at the core of many of the dishes. The elegant simplicity of the dishes are a testament to the quality of the cooking. It’s no…
La Boucherie
T-Market is a new food hall has opened up in the basement of the Toranomon Hills Station Tower. I went hoping to check out Crazy Pizza but it was closed. I almost cried. But discovered La Boucherie by chef Toru Wachi. Chef Wachi is famous for a French approach to meats. The spaghetti and meatballs…
Kabuki
Kabukiza is the main kabuki theater in the heart of Ginza. Men play both male and female roles. Theater lovers will love the singing, dancing, live music, and staging of kabuki. There is a short break between two shows for guests to take lunch or dinner. Dining in the theater is allowed only during this…
Saké Bar Kinjishi
Tachigui Sakaba Kinjishi is a cool spot near Tokyo Station for nihonshu by the glass and saké-friendly small bites. An excellent selection of saké including @jikon_sake, @matsunotsukasa_official, @izumibashi_official, and @niidahonke. We loved the karaagé, and tempura of simmered daikon and cream cheese (both good), nagaimo potatoes, and tuna sashimi. The saké was poured into glasses…
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…
Kintsugi
One of the coolest things I did this year was take a kintsugi class at Kuge Crafts. Where broken pieces of pottery or lacquerware are put back together with lacquer and then painted with metallic powder. We used gold powder. The Kuges use lacquer from cashew nut trees. The sensei for the class is the…
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…
Washoku
Washoku, traditional Japanese cuisine, was designated by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage ten years ago. To commemorate this there is a fabulous exhibit at the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo in Ueno. The exhibit covers a wide variety of topics including seafood and sea vegetables, produce, regional cuisine, fermented foods, the history…
Food Sake Tokyo 