Category Archives: 50 Days in Japan

[TOKYO] Tsukiji Restaurant GEN-CHAN: raw fish, shrimp and egg

Tsukiji Restaurant  GEN-CHAN - Akihabara Akibaichi UDX

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

Tempura Tsunahachi - Shinjuku - Takashimaya

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

Shitamachi Tanabata Matsuri (2013) - summer street festival 8

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.

[TOKYO] Kawagoe – A day trip back to the Edo Period

collage Kawagoe Day Trip - Tobu Koedo Bus Loop
Dear Food Diary:
Kawagoe is only about 30 minutes away from central Tokyo. The train ride and loop bus, seemed like a time machine that took us back to the Edo Period.

A quaint little old town filled with shrines. Where old architecture charmed us tile by tile. And old time shop keepers sold traditional sweets from their childhood. Unique snacks, souvenirs and even somewhere to make a kimono. Stalkerboy and I had a fun filled day outside the city.

[TOKYO] Kitchen Tachikichi: Aged Japanese Beef, Anchovy Fries & The Best Pork Fat I’ve Had In My Life

kitchen tachikichi

Dear Food Diary:
StalkerBoy’s coworker stumbled upon Kitchen Tachikichi by accident right before I came to Tokyo. Since then, they’ve become “regulars” in a short period of time. Raving about the juicy aged Japanese beef and the best pork fat. While taunting me with mouthwatering photos via Facetime.

We made plans to go the minute I landed. On our date night at Roppongi Hills, I finally had a bite…and…ohhh! The boys were right, that pork fat was the best I’ve had in my life.

…and I still dream about their anchovy fries…