Japan Food Trip #1

I finally have time to compile this list of good restaurants I went to during my trip to Japan in late October. What I have here is only good food, and while they may not be the best (since I don't know everything and there must be better stuff around), I would say that they are places worth visiting. This time I will just keep it short and quick, and include links and information for your easy reference. Enjoy!

1st November - Tokyo Korakuen 東京 後楽園
 尾道ラーメン麺一筋東口店
 東京都千代田区三崎町２丁目１−１６[ Google Map ] [ Official Site ]

It is not a high-class ramen shop, but it still has a name of its own. The noodle is definitely good, and the dumplings are nice too. For those who love spicy stuff should try their famous red ramen. It is going to burn your tongue, perfect for cold winter time.

2nd November - Tokyo Omotesando 東京表参道
とんかつ まい泉
東京渋谷区神宮前４丁目−８−５[ Google Map ] [ Official Site ]

Probably one of the best deep-fried pork cutlet shops in Japan. They have all kinds of pork for you to choose, from the typical but most delicious deep-fried pork set to rice with pork cutlet and egg on top, to pork cutlet sandwiches. The cutlet is crispy on the outside but not oily at all. With refillable rice and salad, you can be sure that you won't be able to move after the meal. A must-try for everyone, because once you try, you won't like other pork cutlets anymore.

牛タン
道玄坂センタービル Basement

I don't know the exact name for this, but this chain restaurant is specialized in beef tongue food. Their beef tongue has two sizes, thick and thin, and be sure to try the thick one. It is not expensive, but very tasty. If you need a quick but high-quality lunch, this can be your choice.

4th November - Tokyo Tsukiji
大和壽司 [ Google Map ]

There are many sushi shops in the Tsukiji Market, and everything inside is fresh and delicious. You may choose those with insanely long queues, but I think any one can do. This shop is popular but not always blocked by a huge crowd outside, and the shop is split into two rooms. Be sure to get uni (sea urchin) sushi and toro (tuna) sushi. No fishy taste but only sweet and slightly salty taste of the ocean. You won't regret it.

4th November - Tokyo Shinjuku
和幸 (新宿ミロード店)
東京都新宿区西新宿1-1-3小田急新宿ミロード8F [ Google Map ] [ Official Site ]

This chain restaurant is not extremely prestigious, and compared to Mai Sen, this is only 75/100 at most. However, the pork cutlet is still quite well done and the new pork cutlet from large black pigs is soft and very delicious. There are many branches and the one we went to is at the top floor of a department store, which is quite big and comfortable.

7th November - Tokyo Shinjuku
博多天神 (歌舞伎町一番街通り店)
新宿区歌舞伎町1-23-12 [ Google Map ]

There are many good ramen shops in Japan, and which one is good depends on your own taste. This one is famous because of their nearly white soup, which is prepared continuously for more than 40 hours. They said they never turned off the soup boiler and so you can be sure all the essence and taste are well kept in the soup. You can refill your bowl with their noodles for free if you want more, making this place the best value ramen shop in the center of Tokyo.

7th November - Tokyo Ikebukuro
麺創房無敵家
東京都豊島区南池袋1-17-1崎本ビル1F [ Google Map ] [ Official Site ]

Yes, it sounds like many ramen shops are already very good in Japan, but after trying this one, you will know what is the best. This place is considered as one of the rare 9-star holder in the country (10 is the full score), and their noodle, I must say, is exceptional. You can smell the egg flavour from the noodle of the person next to you, isn't that a bit crazy? Yes, it is. A must-go place for anyone who loves ramen, and no worry, there is always a queue outside their shops, so just line up and enjoy it.

7th November - Tokyo Shibuya
鳥良 手羽先唐揚専門店
東京都渋谷区道玄坂2-29-8道玄坂センタービル6F [ Google Map ] [ Official Site ]

One of the famous places in Japan which specializes in chicken wings. This is not just typical chicken wings like you can eat from your own kitchen, but BBQ skewer type. I tried and I must say I never had such good wings before. They have more than just wings, like what I showed here in the photos (yeah, we ate a lot!!!) From left to right: 1) starter, which is assorted mushroom slices; 2) dark sugar apple vinegar drink; 3) smooth tofu: extremely delicious tofu that you cannot taste the tofu but soy beans! That means it is so raw and so natural, and smooth like silk!); 4) chicken wings, the key of the whole meal; 5) chicken cartilage skewers; 6) chicken ramen; 7) chicken kidney skewers (not sliced up but whole ones); 8) chicken rice bowl with egg. Reservation is preferred or else you will need to wait for at least 2 hours for dinner.

8th November - Tokyo Shinjuku
MUJI Cafe [ Google Map ] [ Official Site ]

We tried this cafe on the last day of our trip, and they have the most declious light meals I have ever had. This MUJI place is decorated in their own style, no doubt, and all the food advocates a healthy and light lifestyle. What we had includes red rice with Japanese curry, assorted food lunch set and one caramel cappuccino. If you had too much calory in your trip, try this place to balace off your diet a little bit. If you want to bring some of their food home, no problem, just visit their shop above the cafe, and you will see all the food and drinks packaged nicely in minimistic design. Then you can replicate the food yourself and enjoy the same taste at your own place.

That's all for now. Stay tuned for the next blog on desserts and cakes!