HARAJUKU
Takeshita Street (Part I)
Some kimchi stew with beef. Let me just say that it was... AMAZING. Salivating now even though I just ate not long ago. Everyone who is going to Japan HAVE TO try it at least once. Their price is really cheap as compared to other food and honestly, I loved Yoshinoya's food the most while I was there (yes, it even beats Sashimi and ramen in my opinion).
*Japan Tip: For stores with lower-pricing food like Yoshinoya, they tend to be in bar style and people (normally alone or in twos) would eat and go really quick.
Pretty sure those who have been in that area or saw youtube videos of Japan would know all about Marion Crepes and Angels Heart. Both crepe stores located just opposite each other with a wide selection of fruits, flavours and sauces. We ordered a Banana Chocolate from Angels Hearts and Strawberry Marshmallow (if I'm not wrong) from Marion Crepes.
People say its the most awesome crepes ever.... I think NOT. Honestly, I am NOT a fan of whipped cream and both crepes and just filled with tons of it. Only that Angels Hearts have less whipped cream so you'll be able to taste the awesome banana chocolate sooner, I would say it's a better choice. I was really excited when I saw it but really disappointed after I tasted both.
Here's a tip to people out there, do NOT buy the one with whipped cream on the description. It's rather bland and let's just face it, whipped cream is really unhealthy. Unless you're a fan of it then I have nothing to say...
*Japan Tip: Japanese people do not like to walk around streets while snacking at the same time so you got to have your food by the side of the stall and leave only after you are done.
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SHIBUYA
Finally came the vending machine ramen shop. Hahahah, not just ramen, there are gyoza, curry stores using the same machines for you to order your food. The waiter had to help us and thank god my sister knows Japanese which made our trip much easier!
I hate to be a spoiler once again but... I found the ramen pretty average. Not just me, but my mom felt the same way too. The difference is that the noodles are much thinner and smoother than Singapore's but the soup was too thick. Weird me just prefer Ajisen's ramen and Ippudo's gyoza. But it was an interesting soup base that is different and at least we tried ;)
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ASAKUSA
Here comes my fav from young: Cha Soba! Honestly I felt there wasn't much difference in the sauce/soup you dip the noodles in but the noodles were much smoother and tastier than the Singapore ones. I loved it!
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UENO
Ameyoko Shopping Street
In Japan, you just have have have to give this a try (or more)!
Surprisingly we didn't stumble upon much Takoyaki stores during our visit but we managed to have it! Everything about it is so different: the size, taste and texture. It has a really soft core that the ball collapses the moment I took a bite.
More goodness in a ball that is larger than the ones sold in Singapore, I guess I'll never have the same impression of Takoyaki for the rest of my life! It was the best shit everrrrr!
Surprisingly we didn't stumble upon much Takoyaki stores during our visit but we managed to have it! Everything about it is so different: the size, taste and texture. It has a really soft core that the ball collapses the moment I took a bite.
More goodness in a ball that is larger than the ones sold in Singapore, I guess I'll never have the same impression of Takoyaki for the rest of my life! It was the best shit everrrrr!
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AKIHABARA
Only stopped by the Gundam Cafe for a tea break and the menu was pretty interesting with the name of all the drinks and food associated with the names of Gundam characters, mostly from Gundam Wing to Gundam 00 series. The place has the opening and ending songs of the different seasons on replay and totally for otaku fans like my sister who spent a whole deal of time in the retail store.
Some ramen with my mom while we were waiting for my dad and sis to be done with their shopping. Akihabara is definitely no place for the 2 of us so we went for more ramen. We chose a less thick broth this time and it was better but somehow I remember I missed Singapore ramen. Weirdo me whoop whoop.
Well hellooo Japanese curry. It was sissy's meal but I managed to sneak a bite and it is so yummy. I remember I love to have curry udon in Singapore but Japan curry is of course better than the ones they have here in Singapore. Thank god I'm not really a rice person so overall this wasn't so tempting.
And more food while waiting for dad and sissy. Mapo tofu and gyoza for a break. I still do not think their gyoza are anything special and I do prefer the ones in Korea that were magical. Overall it's a so-so for me in Japan.
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SHINAGAWA
It was so funny because we were looking for food somewhere near our hotel and we had no idea that some restaurants only sell a certain kind of food. For us, we stepped into a store that sells only tempura (prawns) and unfortunately, I am allergic to them. The only thing on the menu that was non-tempura was the octopus which was the only thing I had alongside my fav miso soup.
And to top that up with some Asahi beer that made me think of home back then.
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RYOGOKU
Udon that I love love love before we went on to the museum with a warm cup of tea. It was a really yummy and simple breakfast.
*Japan Tip: Do try the green tea when you go from place to place because most of them taste different and fragrant in their own way. For green tea lovers like me, you'll enjoy it. The prices of the pre-packed tea leaves are really pricey though.
Time for some Sumo meal!
It was time for some sumo food after visiting the museum and by the name, I thought it would be a meal full of unhealthy and oily food but that's really not the case! Actually, it was just really similar to Shabu Shabu. Filled with loads of veges and fresh chicken that was so delicious.
If sumo-s really eat those stuff everyday, they probably ate about 10 times the amount I got to get to their size?
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My favourite Unagi that I can proudly say that it is much better than Singapore's. The taste is completely different! Still love the Unagi in Singapore tho!
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ODAIBA
I always had the impression that tomato omelette rice is super good in Japan but it was really NOT the case. The tomato was too overpowering and the rice was so-so. Probably because I ate it in a normal food court?
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Not sure about other families but my family love to have some instant noodles at night for supper when we're overseas lololol. Sometimes not daily of course.
The ones over at Japan are so much more delicious than the ones in Singapore and I think that Singapore ones are already super super delicious. Mostly comes with other ingredients such as beansprouts and tofu with the noodles. Should have brought some more back!
The ones over at Japan are so much more delicious than the ones in Singapore and I think that Singapore ones are already super super delicious. Mostly comes with other ingredients such as beansprouts and tofu with the noodles. Should have brought some more back!
I think I was really fortunate to be able to try different types of food everyday at every single meal. My parents and sis went for the same stuff a few times but I always manage to find something I haven't tried before. Well, except for the YOSHINOYA because its was freakin awesome!
Overall, I have to say that the food really was not up to my expectations at all. Probably the place we tried them out at etc. I have no idea but everything that I thought would be a super duper upgrade from Singapore was not impressive at all. Ramen, Soba, Gyoza and Crepes were the main disappointments and the nice ones were YOSHINOYA's beef, instant noodles and Takoyaki.
Maybe it's because I prefer a more Singaporean taste but all and all, I'm not really a fan of the food I tried during the trip.