Category: Japan

Categories
#foodie Japan sweet treats

Mister Donut

I really love Mister Donut. I went last week to try out the donuts, and realized that the sweetness was rather mild in comparison to American donuts. Most people would probably find that unappealing, but I was elated to discover this. The donuts are lighter, fluffier; the sweetness is small yet satisfying.

Last week, I got a flier/promotional paper announcing Mister Donut’s “New Chocolate Fair”; apparently, this week, from today (April 16) until April 20, the four new chocolate donuts are specially priced at 100 yen each (normally, they sell for 136 yen each). How could I not pass up such a deal?

The four types of donuts are as follows: Regular Chocolate, Double Chocolate, Golden Chocolate, and Coconut. Today, I decided to go with Double Chocolate and Golden Chocolate. I tried the Golden first–I felt like I fell in love immediately. I’m actually not sure what’s sprinkled on the donut (maybe I don’t know the English word for it), but whatever it is, it makes this donut very unique and delicious. Mmm!

The double chocolate was decent; standard chocolate, although not as sweet as American donuts (don’t you love the constant comparisons?). I would have tried all four donuts in one sitting, but I didn’t want to look like a pig (I think ordering two donuts at once already makes me look like a pig in Japan).

Categories
#foodie Japan Japanese culture sweet treats

Japanese pastries.

On Saturday, I discovered the delicious smells and tastes of Japanese bakeries all over again. I had forgotten how convenient bakeries usually are in Japan; you walk in, take a tong and a plate, walk around and grab whichever baked goods you want with the tongs. No need to tell someone behind the counter what you want; just grab the pastries and pay up at the register.

Since I discovered this, I went a little overboard this morning with my treats. I actually had the “Mega Muffin” at McDonald’s beforehand, but I still craved something sweet. So I decided to stop by Bakery Crown on the way back to the apartment–went inside, found these treats, and bought them.

Turns out, four baked goods was probably way too much for my half-full stomach. The twist donut was so tasty; the chocolate croissant and the strawberry pastry were also very delectable. The remaining roll was actually filled with spinach, which I didn’t know when I bought it. It was still good as a “meal” roll; however, by the time I got to the fourth roll, I was feeling way too full. I probably should have just bought two, or even just one bread. Sigh…as the saying goes, “People eat with their eyes”; I felt overwhelmed with seeing all the available treats that I couldn’t narrow down my choices enough.

Categories
#foodie Japan

Okonomiyaki, Osaka-style.

Okonomiyaki; not sure if this was any different than any other kind of okonomiyaki found in Tokyo, but the restaurant was apparently specialized in Osaka-style cuisine.

I love the mix of sauces on top; I guess this could have been eaten by several people, but I ate it by myself since I was out alone.

I need to learn how to make this; people translate “Okonomiyaki” as “Japanese style pizza”, which sounds really odd. I guess there’s no real transliteration for the word–it just translates into “As you like it grilled,” which sounds even more odd. I guess just calling it “Japanese style pizza” helps Westerners understand the concept more.

Categories
#foodie Japan restaurant

Okinawan Food


After spending the whole day out with my friend Mayumi , I realized that I really need to get out of Tokyo and explore more of Japan. I want to go to all the other “major” areas of Japan–Hokkaido, Osaka, Kyuushuu, Okinawa–and also to the more rural areas as well. I just need to explore more of the country; after all, there’s more to Japan than Tokyo, just like there’s more to the US than NYC, DC, SF, LA, etc.

I was perusing through Granduo today at the Tachikawa station; felt bored and restless, so I walked around the mall a bit and listened to some music. I went upstairs to the food places and found this little gem called Ichariba, which serves Okinawan food. I had never tried Okinawan food before, so I decided to venture in.

The menu had a lot of healthy items, including some items to preserve youth. I went for the Maguro rice bowl (raw tuna slices with rice), since the picture looked appealing. That choice was a good one for me; I needed something light and healthy to fill me up for the day, and this was it.

I’m not quite sure what the green or white stuff was, but nonetheless it still tasted delicious. Eating this dish made me really want to go to Okinawa soon!

Categories
#foodie fast food Japan Japanese food

Sasebo Burger

This is a Sasebo burger–apparently the first “Japanese hamburger” originating from Sasebo located in Nagasaki. My friend Mayumi told me about the burger, and said that we should go eat it since she was going to be in Tokyo for the day.

I didn’t really know much about the burger, what made it special–but biting into it, I realized it was indeed unique. There’s egg included, and the burger is made fresh–this isn’t a fast food burger. We ate it at Zat’s Burger Cafe in Nakano; apparently Sasebo Burger is also available in Tachikawa at a small burger stand by the south entrance of the station.

The burger looks a little thick from the picture, but I felt it was a good enough portion for me. The restaurant was fun, relaxing–couches to sit on upstairs, just like a “regular” cafe. I wish I had known about this burger earlier on! I probably would eat it more if it weren’t for the abundance of burgers in the US already. Granted, I can’t get a Sasebo Burger in the US, but still, the idea of eating a lot of burgers in Japan makes me feel awkward.