Category Archives: Japanese

{  Noumin Cafe — 農民カフェ  }

Noumin Cafe - 農民カフェ
Noumin Cafe - 農民カフェ
Noumin Cafe - 農民カフェ
Noumin Cafe - 農民カフェ

“Noumin Cafe”, which translates to “Farmer’s cafe” in Japanese, opened in a residential area of Gakugeidaigaku earlier this year. They provide simple and organic food made with farm fresh ingredients.

They only have 2 items on their lunch menu but the “Noumin (farmer’s) sozai plate” is awesome. It comes with seasonal fresh ingredients + soup + a drink of your choice for 1200yen. Everything was good and I didn’t even realize the plate didn’t have any meat on it until I went back the second time! I am not vegetarian but I was well satisfied. This is a great place for those who want to experience Japanese farm fresh food with a zen ambiance.

This cafe is also very mommy/baby friendly as the upstairs area was filled with large groups of moms and babies the last time I visited. I really like their homemade herb tea that comes with their lunch sets as well. Gakugeidaigaku might be a fun neighborhood to explore if you haven’t done it yet.

PS: They unfortunately don’t have an English menu but I’ve briefly translated the one above in red :)

Address // 2-21-4, Takaban, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan (map)
Phone Number // 03-5734-1190
Website // http://ameblo.jp/hyakushow/

Food:
Decor:
Service:
Cost:



{  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。

Disclaimer: The Yoga location has closed on 2013/9/23.

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