Category Archives: Japanese

{  Floresta Donuts  }

Floresta ~nature doughnuts~
Floresta ~nature doughnuts~
Floresta ~nature doughnuts~
Floresta ~nature doughnuts~

How adorable are these donuts? They don’t just look good, they are tasty too!

Floresta donuts as a company has a great environmentally friendly philosophy and they are trying to make the most natural and kind donuts for your body. They use safe, organic, local ingredients with no additives/preservatives and they are also careful with how much waste they produce to reduce their negative impact on the environment.

Their donuts are not the typical sweet style like Mr. Donuts. As soon as you try one you will notice it’s more on the health conscious side but they are still yummy and satisfying as a dessert. When I first discovered these donuts, I fell in love with them and wished they had more locations. The fact that they are constantly switching up the flavors every time I visit their shop is fun too. They rotate their daily selections as well as their seasonal donuts and special animal decorated donuts.

体にやさしく、ひとつひとつ丁寧に作られてるおいしいドーナツ、オススメする素敵なドーナツ屋さんです。

Address // 3-15-5, Yoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-6321-5553
Website // http://www.nature-doughnuts.jp/index.htm

Food:
Decor:
Service:
Cost:



{  Yoshizawa  }

Yoshizawa
Yoshizawa
Yoshizawa
Yoshizawa

Ginza Yoshizawa is known for their high quality wagyu-beef. A food journalist recommended this place on TV saying that you won’t find a restaurant that serves this level of high quality meat for this price in Tokyo. Since it looked delicious on tv… we decided to check it out.

We got the limited edition hamburg set that they only serve 10 plates per day (barely got it even though we got there 5min after the restaurant opened) + the Sukiyaki lunch set, both for 1575yen. Each set includes: all you can eat white rice, Japanese pickles, miso soup, a small salad, and fresh fruit (apple). We enjoyed both of our meals and we were quite full. Regardless, If you’re in the Ginza area and want an authentic Japanese-style lunch for this price, this is a solid choice.

Address // 3-9-19, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3542-2981
Website // http://www.ginza-yoshizawa.com

Food:
Decor:
Service:
Cost:



{  Zenkashoin — 然花抄院  }

Zenkashoin 然花抄院
Zenkashoin 然花抄院
Zenkashoin 然花抄院
The above photo source for the sweets: www.zen-kashoin.com

A traditional Japanese sweets shop & tea house from Kyoto, Zenkashoin is located on the 5th floor of Shibuya Hikarie. Since Hikarie is still very much a new mall/building, the stores and shops are pretty crowded but my friend and I got lucky enough to get a seat here for tea time. We ordered the 1150yen tea set that comes with a drink of your choice (coffee, tea, green tea, matcha, etc) and a choice of dessert. The dessert is a small delicate size and it wasn’t too sweet. We liked the matcha castella icecream sandwich more than the matcha circular castella.

If you sit by the window, you will have a nice overview of Shibuya and the rest of the cafe still has a nice zen-like ambiance. They also sell their ceramic plates, tea sets, and more so you could take a look if you’re interested.

Address // 5F, 2-21-1, Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-6434-1517
Website // http://zen-kashoin.com/store/hikarie/

Food:
Decor:
Service:
Cost:



{  Mister Donut – Pon De Ring  }

Mister Donut - Pon De Ring
Mister Donut - Pon De Ring
Mister Donut - Pon De Ring
Mister Donut - Pon De Ring

“Mister Donut” is THE donut chain of Japan and I’m sure many of you have seen it or tried it. I was never a huge fan until my discovery of “Pon de ring”. This donut that has this amazing “mochi mochi” texture, a totally unique donut experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

I’m writing about Mister Donut because it’s a Japanese staple and I’ve been on a “pon de ring” craze lately… It has a unique shape and it comes in many flavors but I always go back to the regular glazed one. It’s 126yen but they were having a donut sale for 100yen when I visited(!) so I ended up going three days in a row. sigh*

As numbered above,
01. Pon de Lion Donut, a 10 year pon de ring anniversary special edition – 189yen
02. Pon de ring Nama, a 10 year anniversary special – 136yen
03. Pon de ring – the regular glazed – 126yen
04. Pon de chocolat – 126yen

They have many more pon de ring flavors and they currently have some cherry blossom specials as well. Give it a try if you’re near a Mister Donut :)

Website // http://www.misterdonut.jp/

Food:
Decor:
Service:
Cost:



{  Taiyo  }

Taiyo
Taiyo
Taiyo

We arrived at 10:55am knowing that this place only has 8 seats at the counter and that there might be a line if you don’t arrive early. When we got there 4 people were in front of us but by the time the restaurant opened at 11am, there were a total of 11 in line. We were so glad we got seated and didn’t have to wait outside in the cold!

This restaurant specializes in tonkatsu (pork cutlet) and is named “Taiyo” (which means “Sun”). It is operated by only 2 people and it’s a very small place located in Musashikoyama. They have a few things on the menu but we came here for their famous Tonkatsu Lunch set which is only 1000yen and includes a fried tonkatsu made fresh to order, cabbage, tonjiru (soup), rice, and some Japanese pickles. It’s truly an unbelievable deal for this quality. After you bite into this soft and juicy tonkatsu you will instantly know why this little shop has a line out the door.

The chef’s meticulous attention to detail and the level of care that he puts into preparing the tonkatsu is both fascinating and amazing. This is a perfect example of one of those rare craftsman who has mastered his art and performs his job so well it is a pleasure to watch and to experience his cuisine. Although you will have to wait about 20 minutes from when you order to when you receive your food, the wait is completely worth it just to watch him work and of course for the end result of his efforts. When you take your first bite of the tonkatsu, you’ll understand.

The service is very attentive and the lunch set made my empty stomach very satisfied. The only downside is, the place is so small that you feel like you can’t talk out loud because it’s really quiet. Regardless, if you want an authentic and delicious tonkatsu, come here.

Address // 3-22-7, Koyama, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3786-1464
Website // http://luckies.fc2-rentalserver.com/taiyo/index.php

Food:
Decor:
Service:
Cost: