Umami bites

Located in Tokyo’s vibrant Shibuya district, Yakiniku ZENIBA (hereafter referred to as ZENIBA) distinguishes itself as a culinary landmark, celebrated for its exceptional A5-ranked Japanese wagyū beef. Featuring lightly seared, nearly rare sirloin, sea urchin, and salmon roe, the restaurant’s signature dish, the Namaiki Don, has taken social media by storm with its visual allure. The namaiki in the name…

Restaurant operating with a partially revised menu. At Shibuya PARCO, located in the Udagawa-chō area of Shibuya in Tokyo, a wide variety of dining options are available, appealing to all kinds of culinary interests. Situated on the underground level of the shopping complex, Vegan Izakaya Masaka (hereafter referred to as “Masaka”) specializes in vegan cuisine. And no, we’re not just…

Tenkichiya Shinjuku (referred to as “Tenkichiya” below) is a specialty tempura rice bowl restaurant that draws large crowds daily with its signature dish, the “Ten KICHI bowl.” One of the reasons why the Ten KICHI bowl continues to captivate so many people is its outstanding visual impact. “天吉丼,” Ten KICHI bowl 1,650 JPY (tax included) Tenkichiya’s loaded tempura rice bowl…

Just across the Shibuya Scramble Crossing from Shibuya Station lies “Shibuya Nishimura Fruits Parlor Dougenzaka-ten” (hereafter referred to as Nishimura Fruits Parlor). Since opening in 1936, it has been a beloved fixture in the Shibuya community. Fruit parfaits loaded with seasonal fruits At Nishimura Fruits Parlor, their guiding principle is “serving the best fruit at its peak season.” In practice,…

※Restaurant renamed to “Wagyu Hitsumabushi Rokujutei” and operating with a partially revised menu (as of October 2024) Highly acclaimed wagyū is a premium type of Japanese beef that’s a culinary sensation not only in its homeland but also around the world. Fortunately, there’s a welcoming spot in Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya district where you can indulge in this gourmet delight. Quadruple…

Shinjuku is one of Japan’s landmark downtown city areas. Starting with Kabukichō, the area is home to a number of restaurants, amusement centers, and commercial facilities. Bustling with people day and night, Shinjuku has earned a “city that never sleeps” moniker. In this vibrant locale, a curry specialty store has been a long-standing favorite, growing along with the community: Mon…

The MENSHO Group, which operates multiple ramen restaurants in Tokyo, has also expanded its presence to the United States with two locations, and the name “MENSHO” has come be known internationally. One of the restaurants within the MENSHO Group is MENSHO San Francisco, which is located on the 7th floor of the commercial complex Shinjuku MYLORD. Among the restaurant’s signature…

In 2020, a restaurant named “Gourmet Curry Bon Goût NEWoMan Shinjuku store” (hereinafter referred to as “Bon Goût”) opened inside the NEWoMan Shinjuku shopping complex, directly connected to Shinjuku Station. The shop’s curry dishes, created by a chef with 40 years of experience in Western cuisine, have garnered attention on social media and turned the restaurant into a popular spot…

Commonly known as Japanese rice balls in English, onigiri are a cherished food item in Japan that spans generations. Amid a recent surge in specialized onigiri shops, Umami bites writer Bensky, a long-time resident of Japan who appreciates Japanese rice, was drawn to Togoshi-ya Shibuya in the Dōgenzaka neighborhood of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward. Officially named “Togoshi-ya, the place for onigiri…

In Japan, egg sandwiches are quite popular. Many egg sandwiches in Japan can be a bit more elaborate than you might be used to in your home country, often using half-boiled eggs, thick rolled eggs, or specialty eggs chosen from a specific region. So for many visitors from overseas, the variety of egg sandwiches found in Japan can be very…

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…