Tag: Japanese Cuisine

When in Tokyo: Tsujihan Zeitaku Don @ Nihonbashi, Chuo City – Mountainous Kaisendon Worth the Two Hour Queue?

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Leave it to social media to unearth another “hidden gem”. Once Tokyo’s best-kept secret, Tsujihan Zeitaku Don‘s fame has exploded online, thanks to the proliferation of its one and only dish – kaisendon piled high with chopped tuna and shellfish, and topped with overflowing ikura and uni that would make a seafood lover weep. 

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While Tsujijhan is one of the numerous food chains to dot Tokyo’s foodie map, its Nihonbashi branch is the most famous and visited among locals and tourists. Queues are known to run around the block, with average wait times spanning over two hours. 

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When in Tokyo: Ginza Wakamatsu @ Ginza Core Building, Ginza – Birthplace of Anmitsu Located Next to Prada

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Fancy eating a piece of Japan’s history? Ginza Wakamatsu is a traditional dessert shop whose history spans over 100 years. Tucked away in an unassuming corner of Ginza Core Building, right next to the Prada store, this storied place was the very one to introduce anmitsu. 

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A classic dessert comprising agar gelatin, sweet bean paste, and black sugar syrup, anmitsu used to be exclusively available at Ginza Wakamatsu, which first created it in 1930, about four decades after it opened. 

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When in Tokyo: 7-Eleven vs Lawsons vs Family Mart – Which Conbini Fried Chicken is the Best?

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It’s no secret that Japanese convenience stores – or conbinis as they’re known locally, are on another level. The sheer variety of to-go food and goods makes our convenience stores back home look poorly stocked. 

At the center of this so-called institution is conbini chicken, a deep-fried, breaded chicken cutlet sold at many a counter. It is so legendarily delicious that some even claim you haven’t experienced Japanese cuisine at its peak if you’ve not sunk your teeth into one of these sinful cutlets. 

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This begs the question: with as many as three major conbini chains in any Japanese city, whose fried chicken is the best? Needless to say, I set out to undertake this mission against my better judgment, and to my stomach’s great delight. 

(Also partially inspired by this tweet.)

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When in Tokyo: Everything I Ate at Tsukiji Outer Market, Former Site of the World’s Greatest Fish Market

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While its wholesale compound has long relocated to Toyosu, Tsukiji Outer Market continues to be *the* bustling destination for foodies far and wide. After all, what could be better than hopping from stall to stall, sampling fresh seafood and other delicious street food? 

Best of all, most eateries and stalls are open by 8am. With most food spots in Tokyo only opening their doors around 10am, Tsukiji is an excellent spot for breakfast, especially if you’re staying in the Ginza or Taito areas. Here’s everything I ate there! 

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Nobu Singapore @ Four Seasons Hotel, Orchard – World-Famous Japanese-Peruvian Restaurant

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Nobu, known worldwide for its Japanese dishes with Peruvian influences, opened at the Four Seasons Hotel in Singapore to much fanfare last year.

Helmed by head chef Nobu Matsuhisa, whose personal and professional journey can be considered a success story in and of itself, this swanky restaurant has built an impressive clientele of celebrity guests in metropolitan cities around the globe.  

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With a Signature Bento promotion happening in the month of February, I was curious to experience Nobu and see what the fuss is all about. 

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Shinya Izakaya @ Boat Quay, Raffles Place – Casual Izakaya in Central Singapore (Media)

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Boat Quay has gotten somewhat of a makeover as a foodie destination in recent years, with the addition of a few bars and eateries that helped it shed its reputation as “that place with all the overpriced seafood restaurants”. 

One of these new joints is Shinya Izakaya, a Japanese bar and sister business to Georgetown Tze Char (also located at the far end of Boat Quay) and Nonbei Izakaya. 

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