Category: Japanese Food

Posted in Family, Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Tokyo, Travel

Trip to Taiwan (Day 1)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I am so stress out in the office and I can use some get a way.


My trip to Taiwan starts tomorrow; however, since we need to check in at the airport early, we decide to stay at the airport hotel, the Park Royal Hotel.


Usually, we don’t have much time to explore Haneda Airport, but after I checked in, I went out.

I didn’t know there is a bridge, Nihonbashi that we can actually walk on.


Shopping and restaurants area is nicely decorated as Little Edo (Tokyo).


I had salad and gratin for dinner @ Bon Gout, Haneda Airport International Terminal.

This restaurant is delicious and reasonable.


I’m full and shops are already closed.

It’s time to go to sleep.

I cannot wait to reach Taiwan🎶

Posted in Feelings, Food, Japanese Food, Place, Tokyo

Foodie Report

Posted on by sonokotchi

Today, I had Kakiage Morisoba (mixed tenpura with cold soba) for brunch @ Sarashina Horii Sohonke, Azabu Juban.


This soba shop is always busy and with no exception, we waited for our table.

If you like soba, this restaurant is highly recommended.

It’s worth waiting!


I went to Wet Aging Beef Korean Barbecue, Nikugen @ Roppongi for dinner tonight.


American beef is aged to enhance its flavour and tenderness.

It’s different from Japanese wagyu beef; I looked at it as a skill.

Beef could be cheap but manage to enhance it by maturing it.

If you are so used to Japanese wagyu, you might not like it, but please consider this is a different beef!

Another uniqueness of this restaurant is recommending to grill beef for one minute by using an one minute hourglass.

But to be honest with you, some meat require more than one minute to cook.

We need to pay attention. hahaha

Posted in Feelings, Flower, Food, Japanese Food, Tokyo

Spring has come!

Posted on by sonokotchi

It is a nice night to walk, just right in 20C.

Sakuras are fully bloomed; everywhere is nice in pink.

Walked down to Azabu Juban and had Kyoto Style Okonomiyaki at Yocchan.


Master Chef is mother of two business partners (sons).

I forgot to ask how their okonomiyaki (Japanese style pancakes) are in Kyoto Style.

Yes, this restaurant use Kyoto leeks – I love it!

Sauce looks so thick, but has less taste.

Pancake is thin…? How…?

I learned this week that we can enjoy the same dish in many different ways by region: Kyoto Style Tempura, Kyoto Style Okonomiyaki.

Interesting…

Posted in Cooking, Feelings, Japanese Food

Buta Shabu (Pork Claypot)

Posted on by sonokotchi

It’s still nice to eat Nabe (pot dish); therefore, I cooked a pot dish, Buta Shabu (Pork Claypot).

Swing a slice of pork in hot soup to cook (not to over cook) and eat with two different sauce: sesame dressing with Chinese chili oil, and ponzu (citrus soy sauce), daikon (white radish) and bannou negi (chive).

Last I had a small potion of udon (rice noodle).


It’s not a reward day or cheating day. 

But how can I refuse this…?

Posted in Experience, Feelings, Flower, Food, Friends, Japanese Food, Place, River, Travel

Short Trip to Osaka and Kyoto (Day 2)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had a very interesting day.

We took a Trokko (mountain train) to enjoy Saga • Arashiyama Mountain View.





After this train ride, we will be on that boat to enjoy river cruise.


Next, Hozugawa Kudari (Hozu River Cruise).

A boat will cruise through a rocky and rapid stream.




We waved at Torokko (mountain train) – we were on that train earlier… and…


Normal JR Line, Sanin Line from a boat.


This 1 hour 45 mins journey is so scenic.



Most of trees are Sakura trees in this photo and there are many Sakura trees at river bank.

Wheather Agency already announced Kyoto is Sakura season; however, the recent sudden temperature drop delayed Sakura blooming greatly.

I could viewed Few Sakuras in Kyoto.

I thought we planned to visit Kyoto at the perfect timing, unfortunately, I missed it by a week.


At the end of the river cruise journey, we reached to another famous sightseeing spot, Togetsukyo (Togetsu Bridge).


We enjoyed Kyoto Lunch, Yudofu (Boiled Tofu) there.


After lunch, we returned to city by a train, Randen (Ranzan Line).

Now I’m on the way back to Tokyo by Shinkansen (Bullet Train).


I have visited Kyoto few times, but this is my first time to ride on Torokko, Hozugawa Kudari and Randen. 

I tried many different rides in a day and visited a new area of Kyoto; this trip became so memorable for me.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Japan Technology, Japanese Food, Place, Shopping, Shrine and Temple, Tokyo, Travel

Short to Trip to Osaka and Kyoto

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friends bought a JR Pass to get unlimited access to JR train.

It is advisable to get this pass if you plan to visit many places in Japan.


We planed to visit Osaka and Kyoto this weekend!


It’s sweet to have a Coffee break on bullet train.


First, we visited Osaka.

We went to Dotonbori, Osaka for lunch.


We can find many casual dining places in Dotonbori.

We decided to dine at Genkizushi, Dotonbori, Osaka because varieties of food are served: sushi, soba/udon, tempura,  obento (set menu), etc.


I had a steak and steak only. hahaha


After lunch, we shopped at Shinsaibashi shopping arcade.

It’s fun to hop in and hop out shops.

I bought two pairs of eyeglasses which cut 38% of blue light for heavy user of PC and mobile and 60% suitable for night, especially, before bed time.

I’m trying 60% now and my eyes are not hurt. 

I recommend to buy J!NS SCREEN.

It’s functional and reasonable, JPY 3,000 each.


I saw few Pablo cheese cake shop and at this restaurant, line was short!

We decided to get one for dessert after dinner.


We took a Shinkansen to reach Kyoto (15 mins).

We went to dinner after checked in at hotel.

Kyoto Style Tempra Yasaka Endo.


Let’s get ready!


Kyoto Style means using unique ingredients and cotton seed oil, instead of sesame oil in Tokyo.


After dinner, walked in Gion area and visited Yasaka Shrine.


I love visiting Osaka and Kyoto.

I would love to come back again!

It’s just unfortunate that Sakura is yet to bloom.

Soon Kyoto would be beautiful decorated by Sakura.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Food, Place, Tokyo

Momotaro Sushi

Posted on by sonokotchi

We went to the same sushi restaurant, Momotaro Sushi tonight.

This sushi restaurant hasn’t change, still maintain its freshness and high quality.

I shouldn’t take rice, but I don’t care.

I want to make my friends happy by taking them to their favorite restaurant.

They look happy when they eat sushi.

Staffs know us because we are every night!

We’ll be back next Friday!

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food, Surprise, Tokyo

Omotenashi (Japanese Hospitality)

Posted on by sonokotchi

I had dinner with my old friends from Malaysia.

We enjoyed Robata Yaki (grilled) in Shinjuku.


We haven’t met for years so we laughed throughout dinner, sharing good memories.

We were asked for last order; we said we are fine.

Then light went out.

I thought there is a problem with the light, worried.

Then a lady who has been serving our table neared to us with a welcoming plate.

It’s simple, but touching.

This is my first time posting a photo that I didn’t take.

We were all feeling overwhelmed.

I didn’t want to spoil the moment so I asked my friend to share a photo with me.

 

All of us are overwhelmed by this.

I am so proud to show my friends Japanese warm hospitality: OMOTENASHI.

The chemistry was right: good friends, good food and good moment.

It is a wonderful night.

Posted in Feelings, Food, Friends, Japanese Culture, Japanese Food

Surprise Gift: Yoku Moku

Posted on by sonokotchi

My friend gave me a gift.
Yoku Moku is a famous Japanese confectionery maker and their confectioneries are delicious!

This is a special gift edition and these are in specially designed box – so sweet.

In Japan, we call 14 March, White Day.

Japanese commercial sector is so clever. 

Japanese chocolate manufacturers set the trend and culture for girls to send a chocolate to express her feeling on 14 February.

To boost purchasing power in Japan, Japanese retailers created White Day (14 March) for boys to return an appreciation for chocolate.

These gift packages are now consumed by young ladies to reward themselves.

Perhaps, this is why we can still find cute packaged products.