Although its name may evoke a simple coffee spot, Cafe Legato in Shibuya’s Dogenzaka area is a restaurant specializing in casual Italian cuisine. “渡り蟹のトマトクリームソース,” Crab with Tomato Cream Sauce 1,870 JPY (tax included) From its perch on the 15th floor, Cafe Legato offers panoramic views of Shibuya, and even a glimpse of Mount Fuji on clear winter days. The restaurant…
AFURI is a ramen restaurant that’s not only available in Japan but also expanded overseas. The restaurant is highly regarded abroad, with many international customers lining up at its doors. Among those many AFURI restaurants, there is one, AFURI kara kurenai, which opened in 2019 in the Shinjuku Subnade underground shopping mall in Shinjuku. It specializes in spicy ramen. The…
There are a few dishes that may be considered the norm in Japan but seen as a bit unusual from people in other countries. One of those is the fruit sandwich. To many Japanese people, the fruit sandwich may seem like a treat born overseas, but it appears to often be more commonly found in Japan. We had Steven, a…
Katsu is a delicious and popular Japanese dish that is enjoyed by both locals and foreigners alike. It’s also one of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods. What is katsu? Katsu カツ consists of a deep-fried and breaded cutlet of meat. Meats such as pork, chicken, or beef are used but pork is by far the most common type of katsu…
When traveling abroad, breakfast can often be a meal compromised by the rush to complete a packed itinerary. It’s often well worth it, however, to take some time out of your schedule to enjoy breakfast like a local, and try meals that aren’t always available throughout the rest of the day. If you’re visiting Japan, the country has a very…
There’s something uniquely captivating about a culture’s approach to social dining and drinking. In Japan, nowhere is this more apparent than at an 居酒屋 izakaya, the nation’s version of a casual gastropub. With its wide variety of food and drink offerings, the izakaya embodies the Japanese ethos of camaraderie and relaxation after a day’s work. Understanding izakaya dining culture can…
Any foodie’s itinerary for a trip to Japan will rightfully include classics like sushi, sashimi, and ramen, but one would be remiss to not explore the delectable offerings of 洋食 yōshoku dishes. The term “yoshoku” literally means “Western food” in Japanese, and refers to a category of Japanese cuisine that is influenced by Western-cooking and recipes. Yoshoku dishes are usually…
Rice balls, known as おにぎり onigiri in Japanese, are maybe one of the most versatile and popular ready-to-go snacks in Japan. Wrapped in savory のり nori seaweed, onigiri pack a variety of different tasty ingredients as filling, so there’s bound to be a favorite type for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a snack to eat on the go, take with…
和牛 Wagyū is rich and tender high-quality beef emblematic of Japanese beef cattle breeds. It has become beloved globally by meat lovers and is often regarded with the status of the very top cut of beef in the world. While it’s quite popular in many different countries, there’s nothing like trying the real deal and otherwise unavailable brands in Japan….
Diving into the seemingly ordinary aspects of a culture often unveils extraordinary insights. This is especially true when it comes to exploring Japanese dining culture, where one encounters the concept of 定食 teishoku, the traditional set meal. Teishoku is emblematic of the Japanese eating experience. By understanding its structure and components, we gain an authentic glimpse into the concepts of…
In Japan, the act of gift-giving holds a significant place in social and cultural customs. お土産 omiyage, referring to souvenirs or gifts, often take the form of distinctive snacks. These snacks are not just tasteful delights but also embodiments of regional uniqueness, aesthetic allure, and profound cultural symbolism. As such, for tourists visiting Japan, these snacks serve as ideal gifts,…
Have you ever embarked on a culinary adventure that completely changed your perception of a certain food? Welcome to Japan, where the humble freshwater eel, or unagi, promises to deliver just that – a gastronomic experience that leaves you craving for more. Unagi (written in Japanese as 鰻 or うなぎ and sometimes ウナギ) holds a celebrated spot in the world…
When it comes to Japanese cuisine, dishes like sushi and ramen tend to steal the limelight. However, Japan’s food scene is teeming with more subtle treasures that encapsulate the country’s unique flavors and culinary ethos. Two such gems are soba (written either as 蕎麦 or そば) and udon (usually written as うどん but also as 饂飩). Diving into their world…
No matter how adventurous your appetite may be to try out new gourmet cuisine when traveling abroad, there eventually comes a time when you find yourself craving some comfort food. For many people, that comfort comes from the familiar crunch and flavor of fried food. If you find yourself needing to scratch that itch in Japan, the country’s world of…
When traveling to Japan, many international visitors choose Tokyo as their base. As such, understanding how to navigate from the airports to the central hotel areas in Tokyo is crucial. Considering the various transportation options available, this article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best method based on your needs. Access from Haneda Airport Haneda…