The Food Pursuit
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After learning that Asakusa’s Sanja Matsuri is cancelled this year as a result of Tohoku’s earthquake and tsunami, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. It normally takes place during the third weekend of May and crowds flock to the temples for a good time. Not this year. And while I respect one’s decision to Jishuku, or voluntary (and ironically involuntary) self-restraint, and admire their sense of community and respect nationwide, I hope this won’t be taken into extreme. Too much Jishuku can be unhealthy for the mind or well-being. We balance diets, why not everything else? I believe at times like this, it’s more important than ever to push forward and dig for a lighted path. So when the Sanja Matsuri was cancelled, meaning all the goodies will not be where I usually find them, I dug for my own.
Isomaru Suisan is what you get when seafood meets izakaya. For all you Guu fanatics back in Canada, this one might make you drool so grab that bib. Those who don’t do well with seafood, this might make you puke so grab a trash can and a bib too. Isomaru Suisan is my first seafood izakaya experience. As another disclosure, my meal was paid for entirely by my host of the night. Having said that, I was told by the locals that the food and alcohol at this restaurant are inexpensive compared to others. I haven’t the slightest clue what anything I ate will cost you, but I’ll tell you my thoughts on the food, atmosphere, and experiences unique to the restaurant.
Truth be told, this is the first time I ate sushi in Japan since I arrived over a month ago. Itamae Sushi in Roppongi, which apparently opened this past February 16, caught my attention with its presentable, grand entrance, food wax displays, and by having a store name written in English. Roppongi is a popular area for foreigners so they seem to know how to cater to the crowd. This location is opened 24 hours, which always deserves a mention because you never know when you need a quick sushi fix, right?
There’s a perfectly good reason this restaurant is called Hokkaido Ramen. Quite simply, Hokkaido’s largest city Sapporo is known for its miso ramen. Actually, each region in Japan seems to have its own specialty. A bowl of Sapporo ramen is normally topped with corn, pork, and of course the most distinguishing ingredient, butter. Passing by Hokkaido Ramen in Shinjuku, I decided to try out the restaurant.
Located in the popular Shinjuku district, Shinokubo houses a large Korean community in Tokyo. As with other Koreatowns in the world, you can expect to find a number of restaurants, grocery stores, and products from Korea. Say you’ve landed in Tokyo but a part of you wants to feel some Korean vibe. No problem. This post will introduce what you can expect to see at Shinokubo’s Koreatown in Tokyo, including a restaurant visit.
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