Monthly Archives: August 2013
[TOKYO] SUSHI SHO: Tokyo’s best sushi experience by chef who dissed the Michelin man
Dear Food Diary:
While making my list of Tokyo eats, I stumbled upon a “guide” from travel.cnn, where Shinji Nohara (local food gps) mentions Sushi Sho with the quote: “This place kicked out the Michelin researchers. The master told me they were rude and didn’t know how to appreciate sushi.” Intriguing…
Upon further web search, ChubbyHubby (just a coincidence on the Chubby part) declares Keiji Nakazawa as “The best sushi chef in the world.” In his detailed post, he clarifies that the chef didn’t kick anyone out per se, but simply pointed out the inspector’s lack of sushi knowledge. Ouch!
By dissing the Michelin man, Sushi Sho isn’t on the guide, but who cares! This was the best sushi experience I’ve had yet.
[TOKYO] Ghibli Museum: Totoro Animation Fantasy Land
Dear Food Diary:
I fell in love with My Neighbor Totoro the first time I saw it back in the 90’s. It’s charm and cuteness overload have captured the hearts of millions, specially those in Asia.
I’m watching it as I’m typing right now, they have dubbed versions, but the original in Japanese is definitely the way to go.
With just one film, it has grown into a merchandising machine over the past 20+ years. Here in Japan, you can literally find Totoro everything, from chopsticks to bibs. Naturally Ghibli Museum, Mitaka aka Totoro “land” was on my must list for this trip.
About an 1.5 hr away from Akihabara Station, it took 2 trains, a bus and some confusion along the way. Thankfully, the locals wer there to help. From the moment I entered, it was like getting lost in a story book. An animated fantasy of Tororo land…
[TOKYO] Tsukiji Restaurant GEN-CHAN: raw fish, shrimp and egg
Dear Food Diary:
I’ve been here for almost 3 weeks and visited AkibaIchi UDX a handful of times. Every time I walk by Tsukiji Restaurant Gen-Chan, it always seems to be crowded. The vibe is super friendly and so are the prices.
The huge posters of awesome raw fish, shrimp and eggs bowls outside are as alluring as the teenage boy band posters I had on my bedroom wall. (NKOTB if you need to know)
As the name suggests, the ingredients here are fresh from the Tsukiji Fish Market.
[TOKYO] Tempura Tsunahachi: ohhh uni tempura
Dear Food Diary:
After my last so so tempura meal, I was in search of something better, but at reasonable prices. Tempura Tsunahachi had quality tempura and a special uni one at really affordable prices. No wonder they have stores all over Tokyo and Japan.
Founded in 1923, they’ve been serving tempura with fresh ingredients, good sesame oil and traditional skills. This is a great option for tempura lovers like myself, who don’t want to spend a fortune.
[TOKYO] Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri – Summer Street Festival
Dear Food Diary:
Tokyoians (is that’s how you called people who live in Tokyo?) celebrate summer like New Yorkers. There always seems to be a different way to celebrate the season. By missing all the fun summer events in the Big Apple, it’s been very exciting checking out the ones here.
Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri is an annual summer street festival where local businesses put out stalls under colorful streamers and decorations. We walked around in the heat, having food on sticks while enjoying the sights and sounds.