Category Archives: Tokyo
[TOKYO] Day 28: Curry House CoCo & Ginnoan Black Taiyaki
Dear Food Diary:
After a few week in Tokyo, I’m still constantly surprised by all the simple and inexpensive pleasures. Case in point, Coco Curry – shops all over Tokyo, sorta like a “fast food” chain, but what they serve is anything but fast food to me. The quality far exceeds any katsu curry I’ve had in NY.
And let’s not forget the cute fish shaped taiyaki which translates to baked sea bream. A sweet treat anytime of the day.
Cheap & good eats make me so shiawasena (happy).
[TOKYO] Asakusa: temple, ramen, snacks and souvenirs
Dear Food Diary:
Asakusa is one of the “must” for anyone visiting Tokyo. With tons of shops, side streets and alleys. The Kuminarimon temple gate, Nakamise traditional shopping street, Gojunoto five story pagoda and anything from sweets to savory. Plus, souvenirs for everyone on your list.
The first time I visited (5 years ago) was a complete visual overload and blur. This time around, I brought StalkerBoy (the pixelated version in the photo is the only one he allows to show) and as people visited us, like any good host, I went along. After a few visits, I compiled some of my favorites, from ramen to snacks.
[TOKYO] Mitama Matsuri: 30,000 lanterns and food stalls
Dear Food Diary:
For 4 nights each year, Tokyoites are mesmerized by 30,ooo lanterns lighting up the Yasukuni Shrine for Mitama Matsuri.
The obon festival actually honors the dead, but with the mix of traditional dances, lights and food stalls, it was one of the liveliest nights I’ve had in Tokyo.
[TOKYO] Tsujida in Awajicho: Best miso ramen
Dear Food Diary:
Ramen shops in Tokyo are like Starbucks in NYC, you will easily find one within a block or two.
With different varieties and each shop with their unique/secret “broth” vs “noodle” + topping concoctions, it’s hard to really choose one over another. But from the miso ramen we’ve tasted thus far, Tsujida in Awajicho cooks up one of Tokyo’s best miso ramen, at least in my book.
[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.