TO-EAT in TOKYO

How many of you can say you love Japanese food loud and proud?
*raises hand*

Whether it’s the sashimi, down to the miso soup, or even noodles like udon, soba, and ramen, Japanese food is absolutely deliciously delicious. I could say that even whilst in Malaysia, my home country. What more in the country where Japanese food originates?

Nothing is simply average here, everything is GOOD or better than GOOD. You know what, it’s crazy GOOD. Since I stayed in Japan for about 10 days, here’s what I ate thus far. Brace your taste buds.

ASAKUSA

Let’s get started with Asakusa since I stayed here for half of my trip (5 days).

ICHIRAN RAMEN

Address: 〒111-0032 Tokyo, Taitō, Asakusa, 1 Chome−1−16
Hours: 10am- 11pm
Tel: +81 3-6674-8847

My second time having Ichiran Ramen, first time was at Hong Kong.
Still my favourite ramen, it tastes as good otherwise better.

We queued for almost an hour in cold at the Shinjuku outlet.

But this outlet had almost no queue at all. The Asakusa branch has one the most seats available within the Tokyo area, for it is a 2-in-1 type of store; the classic ICHIRAN + ICHIRAN Yatai. Besides the usual Ichiran counter seats, they also offer Yatai style (traditional portable shop style with more spacious sit together table & stools).

It’s only a minute walk from Asakusa Station, hence it became a must-go almost every day before we return to our stay at Asakusa.

Recommended dish:
The one & only thing in the menu – The classic tonkatsu ramen with red spicy sauce.
The broth is thick & flavorful, the noodles texture is hard enough for my likings.

However, all these can be personalized to your likings.
Would you like soft noodles & clearer soup based? No problem.

It’s the best ramen I had, enough said.

UNATOTO

Address: 1-5-2 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 11am – 10pm
Tel: +81 3-3842-6969

SY was craving for Unagi bento, and we walked pass this tiny traditional shop (2 minutes’ walk from the Asakusa station) & got attracted by its’ Unagi bento’s poster. Hence, we decided to give it a try.

We walked in to eel’s being cook on grill, and the fragrance of the marinated eel.

Unatoto is a Tokyo’s chain restaurant, with the motto of “Reasonable price, Fast, Good”They sell unagi at a much affordable price, as low as 500yen. Living up to their motto.

Here you enjoy legit good unagi rice with a budget price.

Recommended dish:
– UNADON DOUBLE/Double eel bowl (1000 yen)
It was recommended for first timers, and it was apparently their most popular dish.

Thumbs up to the generous servings of flavorsome unagi on rice.

YONEKYUUHONTEN (米久本店)

It’s located right outside the Asakusa Wired Hotel that we’ve stayed for 4 nights. We spotted the queue on the first two days, and decided to give it a try. According to our hotel staff, this is one of the best Sukiyaki in Tokyo and that we should try it at least once.

Address: Asakusa Taito Tokyo (3mins walk from Asakusa Station)
Hours: 12:00pm – 9:00pm (last order 8:00pm) Closed on Wednesdays
Tel: 03-3841-641

We were welcomed with a hit on the drum.It’s an ancient restaurant (more than 100 years old) with traditional tatami style seats.
Also hit with a full on Nolstagic ambiance.

They use high quality ingredients, but with a reasonable price.

Recommended dish:
Gyunabe – insanely marbled beef, tofu, shirataki, spring onions and shungiku.

You will be given the ingredients, and you got to do it yourself.

I have never been a fan of gyunabe but this is exceptionally good, even better when dipped into raw eggs. It was tender and literally MELTS my mouth, leaving a mouthful of flavor that’s so delicate, yet smooth. It’s orgasmic.

OMOTESANDO & HARAJUKU

We did not stay in this area, but we spent a lot of time here to shop.
As mentioned previously, this is our favourite spot during our entire trip.

One of the reasons for that is because there was so much good food here!

LUKE LOBSTER’S OMOTESANDO

Address: 6-7-1 Jingumaee, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (10 – 15 min walk from Harajuku station, Omotesando exit)
Hours: 11:00am – 8:00pm daily
Tel: +81 03 5778 3747

This place is more like a pop-up store than a restaurant.
There are no proper seats, but there are boxes for you to sit around.

SY (who has been to Japan a few times) and he has been raving about how good Luke’s Lobster was. My friends who tried it spoke to me saying: “If you think Burger & Lobster was good, this is insanely good.”

Indeed. Nothing fancy but a juicy sweet lobster in warm toasted bun.

We queued for 30 minutes to get our food.
But in Japan, remember you gotta queue for anything that’s good.

No worries, as they are extremely efficient, the line moves pretty fast.

Recommended dish:
– Lobster roll (US)
The Lobster Rolls are available in regular (¥1,058) and US sizes (¥1,706).

It’s a better idea to order the US-sized one. Mind you, I am not a big eater, yet I managed to finish the WHOLE THING (US-sized) and even craving for more.

This good 4 ounces of fresh, sweet, chunky lobster with my favourite buttered toasted bun feels so UNREAL. Definitely the best lobster roll I’ve ever had, and I’m not even exaggerating. Next time I’ll take 10 of it I guess. Haha.

To be honest, I was absolutely blown away.
It was so good I didn’t mind the queue at all.

PIERRE HERME

Address: 1-2F La Porte Aoyama, 5-51-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
(Omotesando Station (Ginza, Chiyoda, Hanzomon lines), B2 exit)
Hours: 10am-8pm daily

“I want to bring you to something good.”
Then, he brought me to this beautiful dessert/pastry shop.

“I like the macaroons here more than Laduree.” He said.

This dessert place is originated from Paris. Pierre Herme is one of the world’s most famous pastry chefs, and his beautiful and mouth-watering concepts and designs coined him the term “the Picasso of pastry”. He has brought this deliciousness out of Paris to places such as Tokyo, Korea, and the United States.

We were welcomed with a mouth-watering array of macaroons & cakes.
We sat at the row of bar stools looking down onto Aoyama-dori.

Enjoyed our desserts & tea with music.

Recommended order:
– Signature macaroons – pistachio

GYOZA-RO

I used to dislike kimchi, but once I tried the one in Seoul; I am now a kimchi fan.
Same goes to gyoza. I had never liked gyoza until I tasted the ones in Tokyo.

After the sneaker con at Omotesando, I had a sudden crave for gyoza again.

Did some googling and found this Gyoza place that everyone raved on how they served the best Gyoza ever.

Address: 6-2-4 Jingumae, Shibuya 150-0001, Tokyo Prefecture
Hours: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Tel: +81 3-3406-4743

Again, there was a long queue when we got there.

Recommended dish:
The only thing on the menu – GYOZA (290 yen/plate)

You can get it steam or fried. SY initially insisted to order only one plate  – 6x gyoza. But we ended up finishing 18x gyoza, that pretty much explained how we felt about the food.

Until today, I can vividly remember how good it really was.
The skin was so thin (& crispy), and meat so juicy, God I could eat more.

CREPESCrepes, crepes, CREPES. When you hear this word, you think of sweet savory goodness. I don’t usually have much of a sweet tooth but we decided to hunt out Harajuku’s famous crepes.

All the crepes and the stores are so kawaii!

There are three main stores. Angel’s Heart, Marion Crepes, and Santa Monica Crepes. Angel’s Heart and Marion Crepes are located side by side. Do not confuse Santa Monica Crepes to be American despite its name, it’s crepes are as Japanese as it can get.

You can’t go wrong with any of these three crepe shops.

I just randomly chose a crepe store and was amazed by how good it is. As said, I’m not that big into sweet things but I’d treat myself sometimes. Too much of it give me a bloated feeling in the middle, but I surprisingly finished it.

SAKAN SHU 珈琲茶館集

Address: 1-13-11 Jingumae | Onishi Bldg, B1F, Shibuya 150-0001, Tokyo Prefecture
Tel: +81 3-3423-9841

A traditional café where SY and I randomly came across when we were hunting for a coffee shop to have a cup of coffee and rest our feet. They’ve been serving coffee since 1953. We would like to believe that they must be doing something right since they’ve been around for so long.

When you walk in, its retro ambiance is the first thing you’d notice.
It’s beautifully decorated, and has designated smoking spots.

We got a helpful and friendly waiter to tend us.
A very nice place to chill indeed.

Recommended order:
– Signature single origins coffee
prepped thorugh the siphon process right in front of you.

“A gas burner is ignited under a double-bulb glass contraption, and coffee grinds are frenetically stirred as your brew boils to perfection.”

TSURUKAME RO 鶴亀樓

Address: 4-27-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku Tokyo
Hours: Mon – Fri 12pm – 4pm, 5.30pm – 11pm; Sat, Sun & holidays 12pm – 11pm

SY said this place was recommended by his friend, stating it was famous for their Mt.Fuji Chicken Katsu.

It is down the side street of the Harajuku area.

Recommended Order:

– Mount Fuji Chicken Cutlet with Curry RiceThis is not your ordinary Japanese Curry that’s usually a little more watery. This is thick and every bite is packed with flavour. This is an ultimate comfort dish that tastes a lot like home-made curry. Definitely one of our most satisfying meals in Tokyo.

– Gyoza
This gyoza is not the best but better than most of the one I had in Malaysia. Certainly not better than Gyoza Ro!

SHINJUKU

AFURI RAMEN

Address: 1-1-5 Nishishinjuku | B2F Lumine Shinjuku, Shinjuku 160-0023, Tokyo Prefecture (at B1 of the Lumine mall)
Tel: +81 3-5990-5182
Hours: 10.30am – 10pm

Karen suggested this place because I liked “Yuzu”.
Yes, you’re right. This place is known for its citrusy yuzu ramen which adds a slight tangy spring to your taste buds.

“here’s a refreshing take on ramen! Afuri’s specialty is yuzu shio ramen (980 yen), a ramen made with a yuzu citrus spiked clear broth called “chintan” and labeled simply as “chicken broth” on the menu”

Recommended order:
Yuzu Ramen (Shio or Shoyu)

Every bowl comes with a half-seasoned egg, a slice of grilled pork, bamboo shoots and seaweed. It’s more refreshing, and literally add the blossoming in your mouth, compared to the normal ramen. I would say it is not bad at all & definitely worth the try (especially to yuzu fans).

KAWAGUCHIKO LAKE & MT. FUJI

CHEESE CAKE GARDEN

Address: Yamanashi Prefecture Minamitsuru-gun Fuji kawaguchiko cho Asakawa 1173-1
Tel: 0555-72-3654

Our stop after the breathtaking Mount Fuji view.

Cheese Cake Garden is on a little corner lot and man do they have the widest array of cheese cake selections to choose from! From single slices to whole cakes, simple designs to beautiful textures, my eyes were doing more feasting than my stomach for sure haha. There were also ice cream and biscuits too.

They specialized in multi-layered Japanese-style ‘rare’ cheesecakes and the more fluffy ‘souffle’ style cheesecakes.

Recommended order:
Their most popular cheese cake: (what is it called? Can’t find it on google)
Each cake comes with a free cup of coffee. So that was a plus.

TSUKIJI

Finally, Tsukiji!
No, we weren’t there for the renowned Tuna Auction, but to savor the best sashimi!

You don’t get to sleep if you’re planning to go for the Tuna Auction because you will need to be there by 3AM. But grabbing fresh sashimi breakfast cannot get any better, hence we purposely arranged a night to stay at Tsukiji just for this. Read on.

SUSHI DAIWA

Address: Inside the Tsukiji Market
Bldg 6, Tsukiji 5-2-1, Chuo-ku; +81-3-3547-6807
Hours: 5.30am – 1pm

 

Why SUSHI DAIWA and not the legendary sushi DAI?

• The queue was shorter, and friends who dined at both places said the quality was pretty much the same.
  (The only thing is sushi Dai chef prepared the sushi in a more detailed way)
• Locals queue at Sushi Daiwa, and not Sushi Dai.
• The chef in Sushi Daiwa was cute & friendly, haha.

Sushi Dai.

Sushi Dai-wa, spot my man queuing up there.

How we got to eat our sushi at 5.45am?

We stayed in Tsukiji the night before because there was no train operating before 5AM, and a taxi was simply too expensive. We woke up at 3.30am, walked a 30-minute distance, and started to queue at 4.30am.

Trust me, if you started queuing at 4.45am, or thought of queuing up only when the shop opens at 5.30am, you’d probably need to wait for at least 3 hours to be sat because the seats are extremely limited.

This is when we about to leave the place after our meal.

Recommended order:
The omakase set at 4000 yen!

We woke up at 3.30AM, queued 90mins in 12°C weather, ALL THAT for this legendary omakase sushi set.
Was it worth it? Hell yes, it’s LIFE CHANGING, enough said.

The tuna & ottoro were my faves.
Okay, I liked the ika, and uni a lot too!

(note: the colors of these sushi might not justify as the place are really too small for proper photo.)

It’s so fresh, I felt as though it was alive and swimming in my mouth.
It tasted like the ocean, I am not even kidding.

These sushi is simply orgasmic, it was pleasure to our taste buds.
I am still drooling over those till this day. Sashimi will never taste the same anymore.

TORITAKI BINCHOU MARU 鳥焼備長丸

Address: 7 Chome-10-10 Tsukiji, Chūō, Tokyo, Japan
Phone: +81 3-3543-1133

Yakitori is a must, and we happened to experience the best Yakitori at this small family operated restaurant next to our hotel.

Freshly grilled Yakitori with dripping juices, and special made sauces.
Can you imagine it? Yakitori at its finest.

Recommended order:
We tried almost everything on the menu because the restaurant was operated by a Japanese couple who couldn’t speak English, and menu was in Japanese too. So we blindly picked.

We’re amazed by the first few sets of skewers, all carefully grilled to perfection.
We ended up ordering more, and more. Till the shop closed.

This was a pleasant surprise.

SHIBUYA

STANDING SUSHI BAR

Address: 25-6 Udagawacho, Shibuya 150-0042, Tokyo Prefecture

You gotta experience this savory cheap and delicious sushi, STANDING. You can expect a normal sushi meal within a 1000-yen budget. In comparison to sushi elsewhere, the sushi here was way cheaper, but it didn’t compensate on its quality at all.

Man, eating fresh sushi and drinking beer STANDING like you’re in a club is really an exceptional experience you wouldn’t want to miss.

ROPPONGI HILLS

SHAKE SHACK

Address: Roppongi Hills North Tower 1F, 6-2-31 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: 11am-11pm (last orders 10pm) daily

It was my first shake shack experience after hearing so much about it.

Shake Shack originates from America where it is loved by a wide range of people as a community gathering where people gather together for burgers, hot dogs, fries, beers, wines and so on. One thing’s for sure, the portions here are big. Which is pretty surprising that considering Japanese portions are usually small, the burgers here are pretty big.

Recommended order:
– Shroom Burger – Topped with a deep-fried breaded portobello mushroom stuffed with cheese.
– Cheesy Fries

Here’s a video to recap the the food we ate in Tokyo, enjoy! ❤

CONCLUSIONS:

The food experience here was half the fun during my travel here.

I got to try many new things and experienced the Japanese food culture first-hand, whilst enjoying the sights and views that Tokyo had to offer! I hope you enjoyed my journey in Tokyo as I did.

All photos and videos are taken using the Olympus OMD EM1MK2. #OLYMPUSMY || #MyCameraBTS –

Cheers! ❤