About food in Japan

New shopping spot in Shinjuku NewoMan

Here we introduce a new shopping spot in Shinjuku, NewoMan by LUMINE.

The shopping complex opened late March 2016 just above JR Shinjuku station(south side).

The building includes also a large bus terminal and Tokyo tourist information center in addition to the shopping floors.

How to access to the bus terminal, please check ULR below.

https://www.highwaybus.com/html/gp/foreign/en/access/

 

Well as for food related information, especially the collection of food boutique INSIDE JR Shinjuku station is wonderful.

From JR train platforms, please follow the sign of "New South Exit" or "NEWoMan", remain inside the ticket gate(Eki-Naka area).

In the commercial area, from bakerly, onigiri(rice ball), fried food to both Japanese and Western sweets are available with excellent choices.

 

Our recommendations as they are rarely found in other locations are ...

Wa’s sandwich  - providing volumy sanwiches with some Japanese flavor and ingredients

https://www.newoman.jp/shop/shop_details.php?id=86

 

Sushi-ya no Hanare - food courner by a sushi restaurant offering, for example, onigiri(rice ball) with uni (sea urchin) and rarely-found original recipe rice products.

 

Liquor Select 360 degree - even though the area is very small, the selection variation is vast.

The beer and sake collection covers across Japan.

It will be good to choose one as your night cap before going back to your accommodation.

 

 

 

M.LE BIHAN - French style bakerly

If you miss European(more exactly French) style breads, while traveling in Japan.

For more information about the French bakerly, Japanese site  http://www.lebihan.jp/

The excellent quality of breads will satisfy you. Some Japanese original kind of bread is also available as below photo.

 

More and more food boutiques are available, so take enough time to explorer light meal and/or sweets!

Again, don't forget that they are INSIDE station ticket gate (Eki-Naka).

 

NeWoMan shopping complex floor plan is here.

 

Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場), Osaka

Today's our recommendation for food lovers is from Osaka.

Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場) is a local food market in Osaka city center. The nearest station for the spot is "Nipponbashi"  on subway lines, which is just one stop from Namba. If you do not mind taking a 10-minute walk or you prefer to take an option to save money for a subway ticket, the market is accessible even by walk from Namba, one of the major central area in Osaka.

From Nipponbashi subway station, take Exit No.10, the market street is less than a minute walk from the station.

Even though you are not so hungry, just go through the narrow local street, looking at what are sold there. You will find so many many stuff, mainly local food including fresh seafood, along both sides of the street. Small retail stores stand in a row.

 

 

At a look, that's a typical local shopping arcade in Japan.What is different for Kuromon Ichiba from other local markets is.... for last several years, the market becomes quite popular among Chinese speaking tourists. Then unlike other local shopping arcades in Japan, many local retailers place products appealing to the non-Japanese customers not only to local ones. That is the reason why, in Spring, we can find a box of luxury strawberry, including ones in white in front of a super market!! They are usually placed on shelf at the end of row, because such  luxury products are not what many customers are looking for.

 

Also you will find signs and information in English not only in Chinese and Japanese at many shops. The market has more welcoming atmosphere for international tourists and it is easy to go around and to enjoy some food with lower language barrier.

 

Sometimes tasting is offered.

 

Fugu, pufferfish is one of specialties in Osaka.

Fresh and boiled fugu are also provided.

 

 

Another point to mention is that the market offers eat-in space in the middle of the shopping street. The space is designed for international tourists who wish to enjoy take-away food from shops in Kuromon Ichiba. It's free to use and provides also restroom and vending machines and even wifi service as well as tables and chairs. Although some local restaurants are also available in the market, this will be a good option for those who visit the market out of lunch/dinner time and who would like to try variety of local food at reasonable cost.

 

I also got my lunch! at quite reasonable price.

 

 

 

Name of spot: Kuromon Ichiba (黒門市場)

Address: 2-4-1 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-city

Official website in English: http://www.kuromon.com/en.php

Tripadvisor link: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g298566-d1896861-Reviews-Kuromon_Ichiba-Osaka_Osaka_Prefecture_Kinki.html

 

Cute bear doughnut from Hokkaido available at Tokyo station

No word maybe necessary to tell how it’s cute apart from an image like this.

The cute cake is called “Shiretoko Doughnut” made by Shiretoko Factory.

The company is based on Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido (中標津、北海道) where it is known for dairy products from the vast land. But this Shiretoko Doughnut is available at 2 stores in Tokyo!! They are within JR stations Ueno and Tokyo. Don’t miss to get a piece while transferring at either station or when you visit some places around the stations.

Shiretoko Doughnut is of course made from milk and other ingredients from the origin, Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido. No doubt for the taste and quality. We also would like to remind you that it is baked but “no fried.” So it must be less oily and healthier than ordinary deep fried doughnut.

 

Just one thing we mind and concern is that we have to take the cute bear finally!! Oh.

 

Several flavor choices are available as your taste,

chocolate chips, caramel, coffee etc.

 

It can be purchased by a piece. Although the shelf life is not so long to bring them back to your country unfortunately, let’s enjoy cute Shiretoko doughnut while staying in Tokyo.

 

 

 

Official facebook page Shiretoko Factory: https://www.facebook.com/siretocofactory

2 units in Tokyo

* In JR Tokyo Station

Location: Keiyo Street inside of ticket gate at JR Tokyo station

*In JR Ueno station

Location: ecute 3rd floor inside of ticket gate at JR Ueno station

 

 

 

Café with panda items in Ueno(上野)

Some of you may visit Ueno Park in Japan. In the large Ueno Park, some major tourist attractions, such as Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science and Ueno Zoological Garden, are located.

 

Ueno Park will be a good spot to spend a half day by visiting one or two museums you are interested in. You will also be able to enjoy the nature showing different scenes by season, while moving around museums etc in the park.

Current season, on the beginning of December, we can find yellow leafs everywhere in the park.

 

 

 

 

Well, today we will introduce two recommendable cafes in Ueno around the train station.

 

Café name: Ueno Green Salon

The café is situated just at the entrance of Ueno Park near National Museum of Western Art. The casual canteen like café offers some cute “PANDA menu”, celebrating the most popular animal in Ueno Zoo in the park.

 

 

 

I wish I could try this “Panda Curry”

but my stomach did not allow that.

 

Alternative recommendation, café latte,

if you are not enough hungry to try the cute main dishes

like curry, Omuretsu(omelet & rice).

 

 

It has a plenty of,100, seats and it will be easier to find a table out of peak time, lunch time during weekend. It also has some tables on outside terrace which will be a nice option when the weather is in good condition.

 

 

Address: 7-47 Ueno Park, Taito-ku Tokyo

 

 

 

Café name: Nomono Ueno　（のもの）

Nomono café is a part of Nomono shop in the building of JR Ueno train station. It is outside the gate near Central Exit and is accessible without a train ticket.

From outside you can find the grocery store. The café is behind the shop.

 

“Nomono”(のもの) is a food store operated by JR East railway company, offering local specialties and seasonal products in East Japan area.

 

As long as you order one drink or food at the café counter, you can also take food products available from Nomono grocery shop, from sweets, snack etc.

At the small café, lunch set, small salty plates and Japanese sake are provided. Some menu are changed by month and products from different prefectures are introduced.

It will be a good place to try some Japanese local food and sake or to take a short break before or after taking a train from the station.

 What I selected for today is…. A piece of Panda  hand-made rice cracker from Nomono shop and “Azuki” beans tea served by a pot.

 

If you arrive there on evening, sake tasting set (Kikizake set 利き酒セット) will be interesting. It costs Yen 500 for 3 different kinds of alcohol.

 

Address: Grand Concourse JR Ueno station Central Exit, 7-1-1 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

 

 

If you look for something associated with Panda, you will find more souvenir products or food at other stores or cafe. Like this!

 

 

Tranquil tea break spot in Asakusa(浅草)

Asakusa is quite popular tourist spot in Tokyo, as many of you know probably, and it is always filled with tourists inlcuding those come from out of Japan.

Here we introduce two newer nice spots there.

The first one is the top floor of "Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center" .  

The information center, opened two years ago, is situated just in front of Kaminarimon gate over a crossing, very heart of Asakusa.

On the ground floor, information service is provided as same with other tourist information centers around the world. On the 2nd floor, it has some PC with internet for self-searching and also some seating space where we can enjoy the view of the crossing in front of Kaminarimon gate, the icon of Asakusa.

You will miss a lot unfortunately if you leave from the center by just visiting the lower two floors.

 

Don't forget to climing up to the top !! So you can find very nice view from there.

 

 

Like this, if the weather is fine.

 

Overlooking the Nakamise street

from another side.

 

On the top floor of Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, a small cafe is available, so you can enjoy the scenic view of Asakusa town as long as you want and the floor opens for public, until 8p.m.

Well, for those who enjoyed the town view from the 8th floor enough, we will introduce you a nice Japanese tea salon near Kaminarimon gate.

It is accommodated in Matsuya department store in Asakusa. The department store is between Sumida river and Kaminarimon gate and is adjacent to Asakusa station on Tobu line. It will be easy to be found it.

The tea salon called "Toraya"(虎屋) is on the ground floor, in the middle of sweets boutique area. Toraya has been mentioned a few times on our past blog posts.

For example, as below.

Japanese tea salon - Toraya Akasaka flagship store(虎屋赤坂本店), Tokyo

Toraya Cafe, Roppongi (トラヤカフェ, 六本木)

 

Toraya is one of the most appreciated Japanese traditional sweets makers in Japan.

 

Here in Asakusa too, we can enjoy the traditional sweets.

It must be a good escape spot in the heart of busy Asakusa.

 

 

Served in self-service style with a paper cup and a tea bag.

Yokan (sweet beans cake) is served by cutting into small pieces.

 

Take a short break with traditional sweets on a cute cushion

 

Cafe name: Toraya, Matsuya Asakusa (虎屋　松屋　浅草)

Address: 1-4-1 Hanakawado, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Matsuya Asakusa official homepage: http://www.matsuya.com/foreigner/en/m_asakusa/

 

Why not try gourmet burgers in Tokyo? - Brozers', Ningyocho (人形町)

Obviously "hamburger" is speciality of U.S.A. Many people have it when they travel in the states. How about in Japan? We surely recommend, if you have a chance, that you try a "gourmet burger" in Tokyo. 

For this several years, new hamburger shops have caught Japanese locals' attention, as they provide the highest standard of burgers. As you know, hamburger consists of many different ingredients such as bus (bread), minched beef, special sauce, cheese and filing food other than beef pate. We believe that the process to make a good burger requires knowledge, experiences and skills to find high quality ingredients, to consider the best combination of all of them, and to cook original sauce instead of tomato ketchap etc with a lot of work.

Now you could imagine why tasty gourmet burgers exist in Tokyo. Some Japanese chef with patience have sought for how to cook the best burgers and "gourmet burgers" are the result of that.

Brozers’,  we feature on today's post is one of the restaurants which attract locals by their burger menu in Ningyocho (人形町). It is not rare that we find a long queue in front of the burger restaurant.

As its brocher explains, something like what we told is there...

Brozers' burger is created by integration of "American freedom and optimism" plus "Japanese craftmanship and inquiring mind."

The restaurant makes its full and best effort to select the best ingredient and conditions for the most delicious burger. The chef found the best way to fold pieces of lettuce, for example. 

 

 

Surely you must be curiouse what kind of burgers are provided.

Now let's see...

 

Brozers' speciality, LOT burger

including bacon, cheese, pinapple and either of 4 kinds of sauce as guet's choice

The original recipi comes from Australia, where the chef had trained, and is tuned in the restaurant's original style.

 

The restaurant also offers plenty of choices and combinations;

cheese, avocado, egg, bacon, chilibeans, pineapple for filling,

tar tat, teriyaki, hot chili for sauce

chicken for alternative pate, etc.

So anyone can find the most favourite burger for each of them.

"avocado cheese" burger

        Their burgers are enough big to satisfy anyone's appetite.

For Japanese ladies, it might be too big?

No no, the taste makes you finish the plate

 

By the way, you might recognize the spelling of the restaurant's name, Brozers'. It sounds like typo error of "brother". As per the brocher again, the owner purposely changed the spelling from "brother" to "brozer." He express his passion to make his effort through to the last moment by the letter "Z" , which is the last one in arphabetical order. 

 

Best effort to the end...then it can't be ordinary one

 

 

 

Brozers' also offers "take-away" service at the stand near the main restaurant. 

Ningyocho is a cosy old town where you can find small boutiques selling Japanese traditional products. It will be good to have lunch at Brozers' before or after strolling in Ningyocho town, not far from Nihombashi, central district of Tokyo.

Restaurant name: Brozers'

Address: 2-28-5 Nihombashi Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Official site: http://brozers.co.jp

 

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Kamiyacho Open Terrace by Komyoji Temple(光明寺) Tokyo

The months of May and June are good time to enjoy outside terrace in Tokyo, when the weather is fine. Today's recommendable spot is a bit unique open air terrace where you can enjoy food & drink you bring.

Kamiyacho Open Terrace is 30 seconds walk from subway Kamiyacho (神谷町) station on Hibiya-line in central business district of Tokyo. It is actually a part of a temple, Komyoji (光明寺), building. 

The temple's master (surely open-minded) started sharing the terrace space with public in 2005, aiming at making it as a public space like a park and at inviting people living and working in the area freely to the temple. The temple offers the terrace space in front of the main hall with several tables and chairs and it welcomes you bringing your lunch pack, working with a note PC or reading a book.  As long as you do not mind viewing the temple's cemetery below your eyes, feel the silence and breeze going through greenery scene. Sometimes during weekdays, a monk serves tea and sweets to visitors. He is also happy to answer to vistors' question when his time is allowed.

 

The temple's main hall is also on a side of the terrace.

Don't forget to pray and to say hello & thank to the buddha

 

Kamiyacho is about 15 minutes walk to Tokyo Tower

From the temple terrace the upper part of the tower is visble. 

 

 

Several tables and chairs are set to enjoy the space. 

Business lunch hour 12:00 - 13:00,

these chairs and tables might be filled by local business people enjoying their lunch.

 

 

If you would like to get local style lunch on the way to Kamiyacho Open Terrace by Komyoji Temple, we recommend you drop by "Yatai Deli" (屋台Deli, "food stall" Deli). The take-away lunch box seller is located on the underground floor (B1) of Toranomon MT40 building, directly connected to Exit 3, Kamiyacho subway station. Varieties of Japanese style box meal are placed on small stalls and all are covered by clear plastic top with a price tag. Lunch boxes are sold at reasonable price starting from Yen390 and none exceeds Yen 1000. (as long as we know...) So even for non-Japanese speaker, it will be easy and comfortable to try and to choose one for you. 

 

Don't worry even if Japanese lunch box is not your feeling. Two convenience stores are available at the crossing corners of Kamiyacho subway station. 

And wherever you get food, your cooperation is much appreciated to bring back waste and not to leave it in the temple. 

Komyoji Temple provides information about Kamiyacho Open Terrace in English. For more and the latest infromation, please visit its official blog.

Komyoji Temple  Kamiyacho Open Terrace

Official site: http://www.komyo.net/kot/english/

View 神谷町光明寺 in a larger map

 

Map for Yatai Deli at Toranomon 40MT building

View Larger Map

 

Alternative spot in similar location:  Belgian bakery cafe - Le Pain Quotidien

 http://aboutfoodinjapan.weblogs.jp/blog/2011/06/belgian-bakery-cafe-le-pain-quotidien.html

My top 3 recommendation from FOODEX JAPAN 2012

This week FOODEX JAPAN, one of the biggest food and beverage trade shows in Japan, was taken place at Makuhari Messe. There we found and tasted many food and beverage products come from across Japan. Some are new ideas and others are traditional ones. Here we selected three products that we can recommend the most among many we found there.

 

Haccho Miso Curry (八丁味噌カレー) from Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture

The curry sauce is produced by a small "Ryori-Ryokan" (料理旅館, Japanese traditional inn featuring its local cuisine especially). Normally Ryokans do not serve curry-rice to guests, as it is rather daily home-cooking food. The product actually originated from meal provided on the ryokan's staff during their break time. The unique point is that the curry sauce is made with the city's local product Haccho Miso paste. The miso adds sweet flavour into the spicy hot curry and it makes the sauce tender and leaves distant Japanese taste.  Needless to say, it is the most popular souvenir gift at the accommodation. 

 

 

Satsuma Sparkling Yuzudon (薩摩スパークリング　ゆずどん) from Kagoshima, Kyushu region

It is sparkling wine made by mixing Kyushu region's distilled sake, shochu, and fresh natural Yuzu citrus. Even before taking the wine into the mouth, fine scent of Yuzu from the glass must strike your mind. We have many flavoured sparkling wine around the world but it is rare to find such real fresh, non-artificial, and strong (but never be too much) citrus fruit flavour. 

 

 

Apple jelly from Aomori

The last one has not been in the market yet. We tasted its sample product at the trade show. The jelly contains a lot of grated apple pulp. It is simple as product maybe but the pure and rich taste of apple is impressive. Hope it will be in the market soon. 

Sorry, we will disclose the name and image of the product when it is officially available.

 

These food and drink are availale at limited places within their origin regions and major department stores sometimes, apart from online shops.

Don't miss a chance to get them if you visit their regions

FOODEX JAPAN 2012 (6th to 9th March) official site: http://www3.jma.or.jp

*The trade show is exclusive for professionals related food and beverage production and distributions.

Vegetable plant in SUBWAY sandwich restaurant

You may be able to find SUBWAY sandwich restaurant in your country too.

But, does the restaurant have a "vegetable plant" on site? 

 

Yes 

 

SUBWAY sandwich restaurant in Marunouchi Building Tokyo does grow green leaf vegetable in a plant located on the center of the firtst food chain restaurant. Tables and chairs are placed around the glass-wall plant case. The harvested leaf of lettuce is, of course like at normal SUBWAY unit, served there for your sandwich.

Like this

 

Enjoy your sandwich with very very fresh vegetable, while making sure where it is from on your own eyes

  

Marunouchi is a business district in very central Tokyo. The area is facing to JR Tokyo station, one of the largest terminal of Tokyo as well as holds headquater offices of major national banks and government ministries. It is also a place whose land price is one of the heighest in Japan.

So how much the value of lettuce leaf harvested in Marunouchi???  It must be more tasty if you eat it, while thinking of that

 

 

Restaurant name: SUBWAY Marunouchi Yasai Lobo

Address: B1 floor Marunouchi Building, 2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 

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Hidden luxury oasis in Roppongi - The Ritz-Carlton Cafe & Deli

Anyone believes that it is very expensive to have even a cup of coffee at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. The cafe would break such preconceptions.

The Ritz-Carlton Cafe & Deli is accommodated in luxury shopping complex "Tokyo Midtown" in central Roppongi. Of course it is a part of the sophisticated upscale hotel. While most of the hotel's facilities are on the 45th or upper floors of the building, Cafe & Deli is situated on the ground (1st) floor. It is easily accessible from exterior of the building or other parts of Tokyo Midtown. No psychological barrier can be felt to visit one of the most luxury accommodation in Tokyo, as long as you are appropriately dressing for it.

The price of coffee is nothing change from ones at Starbucks and other coffee shops. For its lunch set, the price starts from Yen 1000 for sandwich and coffee. Considering the quality and service level provided there, as you can imagine, it is really value for money choice.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy a graceful moment with high quality light meal or sweets at the Ritz-Carlton but only with small amount of investment!

Some food and drinks are also available for take-away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cafe name: The Ritz-Carlton Cafe & Deli

Addess: Tokyo Midtown 9-7-1, Akasaka, Tokyo

Website: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Tokyo/Dining/Cafe_Deli/Default.htm