Category Archives: Japanese

{  Rokurinsha  }

Rokurinsha
Rokurinsha
Rokurinsha

As we were heading to Tokyo Skytree, I did a little research and decided to try this tsukemen place on the 6 floor of Soramachi. The store is originally from Osaki and it’s very highly rated so we visited their new soramachi location. As we got to the 6th floor, there was already a long line but it didn’t take very long to get seated.

Tsukemen is similar to Ramen except that the noodles come separated from the soup and you dip the noodles in as you eat them. The tsukemen at Rokurinsha is a combination pork + fish broth soup and the noodles are on the thicker side. You can choose between hot or cold noodles but they recommend going with the cold noodles since it’s firmer. We tried the Ajitama tsukemen for 950yen. Check it out if you’re into pork + fish broth soup and will be posting on Tokyo Skytree shortly! (Now posted here)

Address // 6F Soramachi, 1-1-2, Oshiage, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-5809-7368
Website // http://www.rokurinsha.com

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{  AEN  }

AEN Jiyugaoka
AEN Jiyugaoka
AEN Jiyugaoka

Found a nice Japanese restrauant in the midst of Jiyugaoka which is typically known for having more cafes and cute shops. We went here for lunch and it was a great experience: good food + attentive service. I had the wappa, which is a traditional Japanese dish cooked in special round containers made of thin wooden sheets. It comes with a salad, main dish, drink, and dessert for 1780yen. The other lunches were either 1600yen~1800yen and we thought it was a pretty good deal for the amount and quality of the food. If you are craving Japanese food in this hip town of Jiyugaoka, check out AEN :)

Address // 2-8-20, Jiyugaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-5731-8251
Website // http://www.mosdining.co.jp/aen/jiyugaoka.php

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{  Tenguyaki in Takaosan  }

Tenguyaki in Takaosan
Tenguyaki in Takaosan
Tenguyaki in Takaosan

Did you know that there’s a 3-star michelin rated Mountain in Tokyo? It’s called Mount Takao (Takaosan) and it’s hard to believe that such a beautiful mountain is just an hour or two away by public transportation from central Tokyo. It’s a nice getaway from the busy city life and the best part is they have many trails to choose from so all different age groups and levels (from beginner through advanced) hikers can enjoy this mt. Even the ‘Inariyama trail,’ which is supposed to be the most strenuous, is hiked by everyone from elementary school kids on field trips to grandmas & grandpas, so it’s a great way to get some exercise surrounded by nature without going on an all-day hike. If you are not that into hiking but still want to go to Takaosan, you can still take the tram and reach the observatory for a nice scenic view! On a clear day, you can see Mt. Fuji from the top and it’s a great way to experience nature in the massive metropolis of Tokyo.

I love hiking — I’ve climbed Mt. Fuji and Half Dome in Yosemite, but Takaosan is one of my favorite hikes in Tokyo. Just a tip, I would try avoid climbing Takaosan during major holidays like Golden week as it gets really packed and difficult to navigate. Also, bring a large ziploc bag/trash bag with you as you will have to take your trash home with you. For advanced hikers, you can continue from the top of Takaosan to the Mt. Jimba Trail to extend your hike.

Anyhow, at the top of the tram station is where you can find the delicious treat pictured above called “Tengu Yaki” for 130yen. ‘Tengu’ means a long‐nosed goblin and that’s what the shape is based off of. It has a sweetened black soybean paste inside the crispy waffle and it’s tasty. Surprisingly not too sweet and it’s a perfect snack to pick up on the way. Go on this hike with your family and friends on a nice weekend :)

Takaozan’s English website:
http://www.takaotozan.co.jp/takaotozan_eng1/index2.htm

Address // 2205, Takaomachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 042-665-1808
Website // n/a

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{  Kakiyasu  }

Kakiyasu
Kakiyasu
Kakiyasu

Sukiyaki is a type of Japanese cuisine in which thinly sliced beef and vegetables are mixed and cooked slowly in a shallow iron pot. The meat and veggies are then dipped in to a small bowl of raw egg for the traditional Sukiyaki flavor and texture. Kakiyasu in Ginza serves a perfected authentic and delicious sukiyaki. Ladies dressed in kimonos give you such a proper and Japanese experience from beginning to end. I definitely recommend coming here if you want to try something traditional and delicious.

We couldn’t resist the sukiyaki lunch set that included a dessert for 2100yen. There was another sukiyaki lunch set for 1500yen but apparently the quality of meat they serve in the 2100yen course is higher + it comes with dessert so we decided to splurge a little. It almost felt like it wasn’t going to be enough meat when the plate first arrived, but it was the right amount overall with all the veggies hidden under the meat + the all you can eat rice. Highly recommend it. The sorbet dessert also provided the perfect balance to clean our palettes after the strong flavors of the sukiyaki.

Address // 7F, 7-9-15, Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-3289-3771
Website // www.kakiyasuhonten.co.jp

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{  Yakumo Mushipan  }

Yakumo Mushipan
Yakumo Mushipan
Yakumo Mushipan

I never thought steamed bread could be so delicious until I tried Yakumo Mushipan. They specialize in steamed bread and doughnuts and have an adorable storefront. I never thought of having steamed bread as a treat, but they were so tasty looking that even though we bought these “to go”, we ended up eating them at the store. There’s only 4 seats inside and a table outside, but if you eat there they give you free hoji-cha to go with your snack – which makes it worth eating it there because they warm your steam bread before you eat it too! If you get a chance to check this place out, be sure to stop by the beautiful Komazawa Park nearby and have a picnic there too :)

Maccha-an doughnut (grean tea with red bean) – 210yen
Caramel maple doughnut – 240yen
Kinpira mushipan (chopped burdock root and carrots) – 180yen
Pizza mushipan – 180yen

Address // 3-6-22, Yakumo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-6676-2778
Website // http://yakumo-mushipan.info

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