08 November 2016

Japan Day 7: Greeting From Okinawa

Previously:
Japan Day 6: Pierre Herme And Bake Cheese Tart, Shinjuku



Hello Okinawa!!  We will spend the next three days in island, the southernmost prefecture of Japan.  Nearly 3 hours flight from Tokyo, which is actually much closer flying from Taipei.  This island is well known with its tropical climate, broad beaches as well as its World War II sites.  The capital city, Naha is located in the biggest island called Okinawa.  Things to visit around here are Peace Memorial Museum, American Village and Churaumi Aquarium, home to whale sharks and manta rays. 

The town is connected with convenient monorail





Tempura soba

Tempura don



We stayed at Mercure Hotel, Naha.  They have a great location, just a stone away from monorail station (Tsubogawa stop) and just a few stops away from city center.  The hotel is very quite, clean and friendly service. 





Shisa is a traditional symbol of Ryukyuan (the local people of Okinawa), resembling a cross between a lion and a dog.  Often comes in pairs, this shisa is placed on the rooftops or the gates of local houses, believed to protect from some evils.  For the cuisine, purple yam, bitter melon and taco rice are a must try while you were here.   

This souvenir shop is selling everything made from purple yam, from the most famous purple yam pies to take home to ice creams and cakes













Happy 2nd birthday my boy

3-3-19 Tsubogawa - Naha
900 0025  OKINAWA - JAPAN
Tel:  (+81)98/8557111


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:


31 October 2016

Japan Day 6: Pierre Herme And Bake Cheese Tart, Shinjuku

Previously:
Japan Day 5: Monjayaki At Tsukishima, Tsukiji Fish Market And Kabuki-za







Underneath Takashimaya Shopping Centre is a food heaven especially for a sweet-tooth person like me.  A few shops sell nice-looking and mouth-watering cakes.  There is also a branded shop, Pierre Herme here joining one of them.  After take home some best cakes according to me, we headed home.  At Shinjuku station, just before we about to get in.  We saw this long queue of cheese tart shop.  Back then 2 years ago, we had never heard about BAKE cheese tart shop.  (Now, is like branches everywhere including Bangkok).  Of course, I need to try this regardless.  OMG !!! It was the best of the best cheese tart I've ever eaten in my entire life for sure.  The base was still crunchy, despite the soft and creamy cheese filling.  The filling was incredibly yummy,  sweet yet moderately salty as well, just what I like.  What a cheat day today with all this sweets. 





BAKE cheese tart from Hokkaido


Vanilla tart - Pierre Herme


Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan:
Japan Day 8: Greeting From Okinawa

10 October 2016

Japan Day 5: Monjayaki At Tsukishima, Tsukiji Fish Market, And Kabuki-za

Previously:
Japan Day 4: Kappabashi Street And Asakusa




Monjayaki is a savoury pancake that more popular in Kanto region.  It is pretty similar to okonomiyaki but uses different liquid ingredients.  Additional dashi or water is added to monjayaki batter mixture, making it runnier than okonomiyaki.  In this Tsukishima district, especially along the Nishinaka-dori, is a famous long street selling those monjayaki and okonomiyaki.  We honestly didn't know which restaurant should we heading to.  But for save, we chose the one with English menu.  Although it is a little bit more pricey than the others but it was convenient for us with zero Japanese language.  However, not only foreigners in this restaurant, majority are locals dining here.  So, it must be good.


Seafood monjayaki 1,100¥


First they pan fried the seafood and vegetables then made a hole in the center and poured the wet ingredients there.  Finally topped with dried seaweed and mayonnaise.  Yumm....




Okono with yaki soba 900¥
We definitely made the right decision.  The service was brilliant, they helped us 2 innocent people with cooking process while giving us some space too to try our own.  The food was also great and delicious.  Price wise, it wasn't that expensive as we thought though.  Happy meal happy tummy...


Today, we are supposedly wanting to see the inside of Tsukiji Fish Market as previously we missed that (we only had a sushi meal at the famous Sushi Dai then headed straight home as an extreme sleepiness struck).  However, after a laid back morning and too much time-spending at the monjayaki restaurant, once we arrived at the market, shhh..., we only can hear the sound of the wind blows the air.  No human, no fish and everything were cleared up already.  Basically, we were too late.  It was 11 am in the morning.  Without regret, we walked around the outer site of Tsukiji market, where they are selling fresh seafood products in retail price.  We had one of the biggest and freshest oyster ever from this market, but it also comes with the price of 300¥ each.  One mouthful definitely can't fit this whole oyster.






Huge and fresh oyster 300¥ each


Not so far from there, was this Kabuki theater.  We didn't get to see their show but just browsing at the market which is located on the ground floor.  Then keep walking back to Ginza, wandering around at the giant billboard city and then finished our day with a nice meal at Parco shopping centre, Ikebukuro, near our hotel.

Kabuki-za


Ginza




Tonkatsu in this restaurant is absolutely fabulously delicious.  Crumb on the outside were crispy, not so oily and the meat inside were tender and soft.  It comes with miso soup, Japanese steamed rice (I looove Japanese rice), fresh cabbage and condiments.  For rice and cabbage is unlimited refill as long as you can finish them.  It was totally a great meal.



Set meal - 1,420¥


Then we finished our meal with some dessert from OMS Dessert Pancake still at Parco Shopping Centre.  Their Japanese style pancake is slightly different, fluffy and very soft, is more like a sponge cake for me but yummier and they topped with runny whipped cream and toppings.



 
Tonkatsu Wako
Level 8, Parco Shopping Centre
1-28-2 Minamiikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo Prefecture
Opening hour: 11am - 11pm

Stay tuned for the next blog still in Japan: