Food and Drink

秋葉原つけ麺 油そば 楽

Secret Sauce & Perfect Noodles—This Akihabara Spot Takes Abura Soba to the Next Level

Abura soba, or “oil noodles,” is a brothless ramen that represents a bold evolution of traditional Japanese noodles. Instead of soup, abura soba uses a savory sauce that coats the noodles and toppings. Diners mix everything together before eating, creating a flavorful and customizable experience. At “Akihabara Tsukemen Aburasoba Gaku,” the owner believes that “good oil brings out the best…

みそ汁カフェ味苑

More Than Just Miso Soup—This Tokyo Cafe Reimagines a Japanese Staple

Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning made from fermented soybeans and rice, with over 1,000 years of history. It’s a staple in Japanese cuisine—found in miso soup, stews, hot pots, and grilled dishes—and deeply rooted in Japanese food culture. If you’re looking to see, taste, and truly experience Japan’s miso culture, “Miso Soup Cafe Ajien” is the place to go….

東京油組総本店

Tokyo’s Best Abura Soba? This Shibuya Favorite Uses a Secret Sauce and Historic Noodles

Abura soba is a type of ramen served without soup. Unlike typical ramen, it features a rich, flavorful sauce that coats the noodles, allowing you to savor the true taste of the noodles themselves. Among the many shops offering abura soba, “Tokyo Aburagumi Souhonten” stands out as one of the top chains, with locations all across Japan—and even overseas. It’s…

玉丁本店 八重洲店

Rich Miso, Big Flavor—Taste Nagoya’s Comfort Food at This Tokyo Station Spot

Miso—a traditional Japanese seasoning made by fermenting soybeans with rice, barley, or salt—is a staple in Japanese cuisine. From miso soup to hot pots and simmered dishes, it’s an essential element of everyday meals. Different regions of Japan have their own miso traditions. In Aichi Prefecture, a major soybean-producing region, aka miso (red miso) has been a local favorite for…

たまごKitchen原宿オム

This Harajuku Spot Serves Omurice Like You’ve Never Seen Before

Omurice—fried rice wrapped in a fluffy omelet and often finished with ketchup—takes its name from “omelette” + “rice.” It’s one of the signature dishes in Japan’s Western-influenced yōshoku (Western-style) cuisine. Since its creation in the early 1900s, omurice has continued to evolve, and today you’ll find countless varieties served across Japan. If you want to taste everything from the classic…

黒船亭

Tokyo Comfort Food at Its Best: Classic Omurice at Kurofunetei in Ueno

Western cuisine was introduced to Japan in the mid-19th century and gradually adapted to suit local tastes, giving rise to yōshoku—a uniquely Japanese genre of Western-inspired dishes. Among these, omurice, a comforting blend of omelet and ketchup-flavored rice, remains one of the most beloved staples. At “Yoshoku Kurofunetei,” a long-established restaurant in Ueno, Tokyo, you can enjoy a classic omurice…

グリル満点星 丸ビル店

Craving Omurice? This Tokyo Station Spot Serves It the Old-Fashioned Way

Omurice (omelet rice) is a quintessential example of yōshoku, Western-inspired cuisine that originated and evolved in Japan. There are two main types of omurice: one where ketchup-flavored chicken rice is wrapped in a thin omelet, and another where creamy, soft-scrambled eggs are spooned over the rice. One of the first restaurants to adopt the latter style is the iconic yoshoku…

Tokyo’s Best Seafood? These 5 Tsukiji Market Restaurants Are Worth the Hype

For food lovers visiting Tokyo, Tsukiji is a must-visit destination. Once Japan’s largest fish market that attracted foodies from around the globe, Tsukiji Market still retains much of its vibrant energy today. Even after the wholesale market operations were moved to Toyosu, Tsukiji’s outer market continues to thrive, lined with sushi shops, seafood restaurants, and street food stalls where visitors…

Tokyo Wagashi Cafe Where You Can Enjoy Traditional Japanese Sweets Year-Round

Wagashi, traditional Japanese sweets, embody the country’s singular aesthetic sensibilities. Their forms and colors express seasonal scenery and even poetic sentiment, displaying a delicate artistry akin to fine crafts. At the heart of wagashi lies a deep appreciation for nature, the seasons, and the spirit of hospitality—core elements of Japanese culture. Wagashi are more than just confections; they are symbols…

Best Matcha Dessert Experience in Ginza? Kyoto’s 100-Year Tea Brand Has the Answer

Since its founding in 1854 as a tea wholesaler in Uji, Kyoto—Japan’s famed tea-producing region—”Nakamura Tokichi Honten” has steadfastly nurtured the nation’s tea culture for over a century. Today, you can experience the spirit and flavor of this long-established tea house in Ginza, Tokyo, at the “Nakamura Tokichi Ginza Store” (hereafter referred to as “Nakamura Tokichi Ginza”). The ingredients used…

Must-Try Shaved Ice in Tokyo: Bursting with Japanese Summer Fruit

At Tokyo Solamachi, the shopping complex at the base of Tokyo Skytree, you can enjoy a special fruit-filled summer experience. One must-visit destination is “Horiuchi Fruit Farm TOKYO Solamachi” (referred to hereafter as “Horiuchi Fruit Farm”), a cafe operated directly by the fruit-specialist farm of the same name. During the summer, the Tokyo Solamachi branch offers seasonally-exclusive kakigōri (shaved ice)…

Gluten-Free Matcha Sweets Made with Organic Ingredients—Straight from Omotesando

Just a short walk from the bustle of Omotesando in Tokyo lies Urasando Garden, a quiet little complex housed in a beautifully renovated traditional Japanese home. Tucked away in one corner is “Riz Labo Kitchen Urasando Garden” (hereafter referred to as “Riz Labo Kitchen”), a cafe specializing in gluten-free sweets. The stars of the menu are pancakes and crepes made…

Ginza’s Must-Try Fruit Parfaits Are Made with Premium Fruit Shipped Straight from the Farm

Yamagata Prefecture is famous for cherries, Okayama Prefecture for peaches, and Hokkaidō Prefecture for melons—Japan is dotted with regions known for their signature fruits. Among them, Wakayama Prefecture stands out as a major fruit-producing region, thanks to its rich natural environment and mild climate. “Kannonyama Fruit Parlour Ginza,” with locations in Wakayama and Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district, is a popular…