Funviralpark MeIf you’ve been to Japan, there’s a good chance you’ve been, are considering going, or are planning to go since Japan reopened its borders to tourism in October. It will be expensive. Last week we had a small window to see, eat and drink everything Tokyo had to offer. Here are the best things I ate in 3 short days.
boiled offal
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Kitsuneya Tsukiji Outer Market
950 yen
The first breakfast is at Kitsuneya in the Tsukiji Outer Market, and it starts with steamy horumon stewed rice. A handful of beef offal is deep-fried and simmered in Haccho miso that has been bubbling for 70 years. You can tell this mother pot has produced some of the most satisfying meals in town. The slightly sweet and savory offal meat is softer than expected, and the venison is modest. Finely chopped green onions are added to the moderately sour and rich stew to balance the rice bowl. By the time we finish, the line will wrap around us and go down the block.go as soon as possible—Definitely worth the wait. —Thomas Obungen
Monday to Saturday 6:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 4-9-12 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku
Soba dinner course
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Itasoba Kaoriya Ebisu
2,650 yen
After walking about 20,000 steps on day one, a four-course tempura soba dinner at this neighborhood restaurant is the perfect (and only) chance to rest your feet. The meal begins with seasonal appetizers such as seared bonito, sake lees cream cheese with nuts, and silken dashimaki omelet. Then comes the hearty chicken sukiyaki, debunking my notion that all sukiyaki should be beef, and finally comes a tray of incredibly crisp tempura and cold soba. Our appetites were set to order multiple servings when we arrived, but due to the upcoming agenda of seeing the Christmas lights at Ebisu Garden Place and eating ice cream for dessert One tray is enough to charge the battery for -to
4-3-10 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
shaved ice
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Komiya Peace Kichijoji
1,200 yen – 1,600 yen
For me, every visit to Japan includes a pilgrimage to at least one shaved ice shop. Kooriya Peace has been on my list for years. I can say that I finally made it. This shaved ice shop, which stands quietly in a building lined with restaurants on the other side of Kichijoji Station, became famous in the second episode of “Amato Kantaro”. Piles of snow carved from crystal-clear blocks of ice form the base for layers of fruit, fresh syrup, and additional toppings. We order the Christmas Tree Special, a matcha play with red beans, oranges and cheese. Seasonal persimmons and persimmon shaved ice. Each one is its own masterpiece. A spoonful of whisper-thin ice served with fruit compote and espuma foam and we happily sink into our chairs. This cafe alone is worth a visit to this trendy foodie known for its frugality and other hidden gems. -to
1-9-9 Kichijoji Minamicho, Musashino City Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
SEE ALSO: Best Shave Ice on Oahu
Assortment of 3 kinds of sea urchin sushi
Photo: Maria Burke
Tsukiji Market Unitra Nakadori
5,900 yen
Our hearty sidewalk breakfast of hormone stew leaves me craving something fresh and salty. increase. I feel like a kid in a candy store. We settled on tasting 3 types of sea urchin nigiri sushi from the menu, such as a giant chirashi rice bowl and vertical tasting. Most of the 10 seats at the small counter are occupied by customers like me, which makes me wonder if it’s a little authentic, but it’s exciting to see sea urchins from all over Hokkaido lined up. My nigiri set includes 1 type of bafun sea urchin (short and stocky sea urchin) and 2 types of purple sea urchin (painful). Sea urchins are absolutely divine. Pick leaf by leaf and compare the difference in the sweetness and saltiness of the liver before devouring each one. Rounding out the set, the chutoro and salmon roe nigiri serve as perfect chasers. —Maria Burke
4-10-5, Chuo-ku, Tsukiji Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Morning menu + side set
Photo: Maria Burke
Asakusa miso soup
1,010 yen
I’m going to Kappabashi early today, so I need fuel. Misoju is located on a corner lot about 3 minutes from Sensoji Temple. There are only a few seats on the ground floor, but he has more tables upstairs as you walk up the steep stairs. The place is packed with a mixed crowd of visitors and locals ready for a bowl of steaming soup to fight the cold. ), half a boiled egg, and tea. You can add a side set for an additional 350 yen. A side set of sweet potato, green onion, and wakame seaweed miso soup, plum shiso and brown rice rice balls, teriyaki chicken, soy pickled radish, and tofu. A rich soup that makes you close your eyes and eat it. The rice balls are moist and delicious. A small piece of homemade tofu is sprinkled with salt and melts in your mouth. The crunchy texture of the radish wakes you up, but it’s only for a moment. —MB
1-7-5 Asakusa, Taito-ku 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
SEE ALSO: Find Modern, Luxurious Sushi at Kapahulu’s New Omakase by Aoun
Japanese version
Photo: Thomas Obungen
Iyoshi Cola Shibuya
550 yen
When HONOLULU Magzaine photographer Aaron Yoshino suggested I check out a craft cola location in Shibuya, my reaction was “Say less.” I love Coke, and so does Thomas, so when I’m in Shibuya, I look for Iyoshi Cola. The sidewalk storefront is very pretty, with shelves of air fresheners in glass bottles. The counter features a futuristic cola syrup vending machine that pumps the magic mixture into a plastic bag before the super carbonated soda water is added. There are only two types of cola on the menu, plus special flavors of milk and hot versions. We recommend The Japan Edition, which uses ingredients from all over Japan, such as yuzu and kuromoji (spicy herbs). Finish with crushed Japanese pepper and a thin lemon wheel. The taste is incredible! Bright citrus notes meld with pops of vanilla, earthy sarsaparilla and pepper. A sweet and effervescent tincture gives us super powers. I know Tokyo is big, but I’m coming back to Coke. —MB
5-29-12 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku Open daily from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
