Since early times, dashi broth has been an essential part of Japanese cuisine. In 2022, a dashi specialty shop opened in New York City, and now the ingredient continues to attract attention from around the world. In order to better understand the allure of dashi, the Umami bites editorial team visited the restaurant “Okaka Shinjuku” located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. At…
Japanese ramen can be categorized into various types based on factors such as the flavor and characteristics of the soup, the region where it’s commonly eaten, and more. One of these many ramen types is known as tanrei-kei ramen. Tanrei-kei ramen is characterized by a refreshing aftertaste and a clear, transparent broth. A particularly notable representative of the tanrei-kei style…
Lumine EST Shinjuku, a shopping mall directly connected to Shinjuku Station, houses numerous dining establishments. Among them, “Ochobohan” is one that stands out with its abundant selection of sweets with a focus on matcha! Signature dishes at Ochobohan are all about matcha Matcha used at Ochobohan is sourced from “Fujii Chaen,” a tea plantation in the renowned matcha-producing region of…
Japan’s wagyū (beef sourced from specific Japanese cattle breeds), now globally renowned, comes in various brands, each offering distinct flavors and aromas. Among them, one highly recommended brand is “Kagoshima Kuroushi” from Kagoshima Prefecture. This brand has achieved the title of Japan’s best in competitions where wagyu from all across the country is evaluated. Its meat quality, texture, and the…
In Japan, casual dining establishments with the purpose of enjoying food while drinking are known as izakaya. When it comes to classic dishes enjoyed at izakaya, yakitori, grilled chicken skewers, take the spotlight. For overseas visitors who want to get a full-on Japanese izakaya experience, one restaurant we would like to recommend is “Ueno Torifuku (referred to hereafter as “Torifuku”).”…
Restaurant renamed to Sushi and Robata Sushiyama Shinjuku. Hokkaido is considered one of Japan’s major treasure troves of food. It offers a bounty of delicious meats, vegetables, and fish. Located in Shinjuku, “Sushi and Robata Sushiyama Shinjuku” (hereinafter referred to as “Sushiyama”) is a restaurant that primarily uses those delicious ingredients from Hokkaido. The restaurant’s theme is what they call…
Renowned worldwide, wagyū (beef from Japanese cattle breeds) is highly esteemed for its quality. In Japan, every five years, there is a wagyu competition known as the “Wagyu Olympics.” In it, the highest award was recently given to “Kagoshima Kuroushi.” One place you can savor this award-winning type of wagyu is at the restaurant chain “Beef Professional,” which has multiple…
When it comes to fish cuisine representative of Japan, for many people overseas, sashimi would have to come to mind. Located in Nishi-Shinjuku, “Imagawa Shokudō Nishi-Shinjuku” (hereinafter referred to as “Imagawa Shokudo”) offers not only sashimi but also an array of seafood dishes prepared through methods such as searing and frying. Imagawa Shokudo’s “Sesame & mackerel Donburi” is a dish…
In Shinjuku, Tokyo, there’s a restaurant that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world upon entering. That restaurant’s name is “Nanairo Temariuta Shinjuku” (referred to hereafter as “Nanairo Temariuta”). Once you ride the elevator up to the 5th floor of the building, the first thing you’ll notice in in the restaurant are massive spheres. Nanairo Temariuta’s interior…
“Rokurinsha” is a well-known name among ramen enthusiasts in Japan. With five locations in Tokyo, the popular restaurant often has customers lining up out the door. Such popularity can be attributed to its rich broths made from ingredients like pork and chicken bones. “特製つけめん,” Special Dip noodles 1,150 JPY (tax included) Rokurinsha’s richly flavored broth captivates the crowd The Ueno…
In Japan, Kyoto is often strongly considered to be the home of matcha. However, if you’re thinking “you can’t get your hands on authentic matcha unless you visit Kyoto,” you would be quite mistaken! “Hibiya Hayashiyashinbē” (hereafter referred to as “Hayashiyashinbe”), is a place in Tokyo where you can savor genuine matcha. Drink in authentic matcha at Hayashiyashinbe The perception…
Many foreign tourists visiting Japan often come just to sample Japanese cuisine, especially sushi. “Kizuna Sushi,” a restaurant where you can enjoy all-you-can-eat sushi, is perfect for those looking to explore unique and unusual sushi toppings not commonly found abroad. All-you-can-eat tuna, sea urchin, and other premium sushi! At Kizuna Sushi, which has branches in Tokyo’s Akihabara and Shinjuku, you…
Hambāgu, or hamburger steaks, are incredibly popular in Japan. These succulent hamburger patties have undergone a somewhat unique evolution of their own in Japan, making them stand out compared to their overseas counterparts. “Steak and Japanese beef Matsuya Seinikuten” (hereunder referred to as “Matsuya Seinikuten”) is a hamburger steak restaurant that offers the perfect place to enjoy the distinctive Japanese…
Located inside the JR Ueno Station ticket gate, “T’s TANTAN ecute Ueno” (hereinafter referred to as “T’s TANTAN”) is a restaurant that offers vegan-friendly ramen. At T’s TANTAN, the signature dish is the “Golden Sesame Tantan” noodles. Tantan is a Japanese dish resembling ramen that is inspired by the Sichuanese dish Dandan noodles. “T’sセット（金胡麻たんたん麺、全部野菜の焼き餃子１２個）,” T’s Set Golden Sesame Tantan +…
In Japan, you’ll find numerous specialty stores dedicated to omusubi, traditional rice balls. These specialty rice ball shops take great care in cooking the rice and selecting high-quality ingredients. The end results could even be considered luxurious treats. At the rice ball specialty shop called “Omusubi gottsu tabenahare Oshokujidokoro” (referred to hereafter as “Omusubi Gottsu Tabenahare”) in the Nakameguro area…