Many of us have fond memories of munching on a warm an pan for a quick breakfast or after-school snack. But did you know that this bite-sized comfort food was supposedly born in the heart of Ginza, Tokyo?
Ginza Kimuraya is a heritage bakery of almost two centuries, having opened its doors in 1869. Situated on the same road as the iconic Seiko House Ginza Clock Tower, it is widely regarded as the oldest and first Western-style bakery in Japan.
The beauty of the seasons is in their ephemeral nature, which makes experiencing them before they are swept away by the winds of change even more precious. The same can be said of the dishes inspired and crafted from each season’s ingredients.
COLK is an intimate Japanese-French restaurant that strives for culinary creativity using the best and freshest ingredients from Ibaraki.
Its menu changes three times a year, in line with the four seasons, and whenever the restaurant can acquire exceptionally good-quality components that warrant a special change.
Image Source: COLK
I stumbled upon 9th Keisuke on my first night in Ginza, when an extended shopping trip at the Uniqlo Flagship Store led me in search of food places that were open past 9pm, when most other joints would have closed shop. Little did I know that this was actually the ninth branch of Chef Keisuke Takeda, the founder of the ubiquitous Keisuke Ramen chain in Singapore.
Tucked away at the back of Ginza Six and close to Higashi-Ginza Station, 9th Keisuke is in the company of numerous other ramen chains, such as the hugely popular Kyushu Jangara Ramen. In fact, the street has come to be known as the ramen street of Ginza.
If you’re not up for braving the crazy long queue time at 9th Keisuke’s prolific neighbours, especially after traversing shop after shop in Tokyo’s ritziest district, this is a pretty decent spot to satiate ramen cravings. True to the Keisuke Ramen chain, 9th Keisuke has its own specialty and it is duck ramen.
Wonton mee is one of those ubiquitous noodle dishes that you can’t really go wrong with, especially if you’re craving something decadent and filling, with just enough meat to top up a bowl of lardy, al dente noodles.
Wen Kang Ji is known for that, just with a touch more decadence as you can see from the XXL Wonton Mee that put it on Singapore’s foodie map. Hot on the success of its original branch at Golden Mile Food Center, a second one has opened up shop on Joo Chiat Road, in the same coffee shop as Da Dong Prawn Noodles.
The old adage, the early bird catches the worm, could not be more true at Da Dong Prawn Noodles, known for its umami prawn noodles that consistently sell out way before its 2pm closing time.
Tucked away in a sleepy corner of Joo Chiat Road, Da Dong Prawn Noodles is a heritage hawker stall that is currently run by second-generation owner Watson Lim, who took over the business from his father in 2018. The stall has been running strong since 1966, when it first opened.
Takashimaya is already home to a multitude of cafes and coffee joints for shoppers to rest their feet. So, what’s one more, right? TAG Espresso is a home-ground coffee brand that recently branched out into the cafe scene, with its newest outpost situated near the lift lobby at Tower B.
I love me a good gyoza, whether as a hearty dinner dish or a sinful snack to pair with beer. There are few experiences as comforting as biting into a thin gyoza skin and sinking your teeth into greasy minced meat that is bursting with flavour.
I stumbled upon Gyoza Hohei while searching for a late dinner near my hotel in Ginza. Turns out, this unassuming establishment is actually the sister location to the legendary Kyoto-based eatery of the same name!
Chue On It 