Where to get this: <\/strong><\/span>
\nGindaco<\/strong> – over 300 stores all over Japan and in major cities such as Shinjuku, Shibuya and Akihabara
\nTakoazabu Omotesando<\/strong> – 3-40-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
\nKougaryu Shinsaibashi<\/strong> – 2 Chome-18-4 Nishishinsaibashi Chuo-ku, Osaka<\/p><\/blockquote>\nRamen<\/h2>\n
Obviously, you cannot not try the legit ramen when in Japan. No need for introduction on this one, and as for where to get your best fix, ramen shops are all over. Those offering the most authentic ones are hidden and can be found in the side corners of the streets and are usually greeted with long lines outside. There are fast food ramen shops too with vending machines outside wherein you’ll choose your order and get a ticket to show to the server inside the restaurant. <\/em><\/p>\n
Tip:<\/strong> Slurp all you want because, in Japan, they consider that as a compliment that you find their food delicious (or should we say, oishi?)!<\/em><\/p>\n
Also read: 10 Awesomely Strange Ramen Bowls Around the World<\/p>\n
Ramen Setagaya, Haneda | Photo from @therantingpanda<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Ichiran | Photo from @ramenclubnyc<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Ramen Yashichi | Photo by @zenisfood<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nIchiran<\/strong> – (long lines, with privacy booths for you to truly enjoy authentic ramen experience) Shibuya, Harajuku, Roppongi
\nSetagaya – <\/b>(made from fish and meat stock) 2-1-2 Nozawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo and Haneda Airport
\nRamen Yashichi<\/strong> \u2013 3-4-8, Toyosaki, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
\nMenya Jouroku – <\/strong>Nanbasennichimae Chuo-ku Osaka Osaka (Near Namba Station)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nSushi, Sashimi, Maki<\/h2>\n
Sushi is fermented fish or seafood served with rice, Sashimi is simply just the uncooked fish and Maki is uncooked fish served with rice and other ingredients such as cucumber, mangoes, avocado, all rolled into a nori wrapper.<\/em><\/p>\n
Sukiyabashi Jiro | Photo from @quintessentiallyapac<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Sushiso Masa | Photo by @sbendymartin<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nSukiyabashi Jiro<\/strong> – (3-star Michelin restaurant that is considered to be the best place in the world to get sushi) 4-2-15 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo
\nTsukiji Fish Market Sushi Shops<\/strong> – 5 Chome-2-1, Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo
\nSushiso Masa<\/strong> – Seven Nishiazabu B1, Nishi Azabu 4-1-15 Minato-ku<\/p><\/blockquote>\nJapanese Curry<\/h2>\n
Japanese curry has that distinct taste and is different from your typical Filipino and Indian curry. Sometimes it’s served with rice, bread and even noodles.<\/em><\/p>\n
Photo from CoCo Ichibanya<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Oretachi No Curry Ya | Photo by @momoeateateat<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nCoco Ichibanya<\/strong> – (yes, it’s a well-known curry shop in Japan) 3 Chome-8-5, Nishihara, Shibuya, Tokyo
\nOretachi No Curry Ya<\/strong> – 14-13 Namba Sennichimae, Kawanichi Dai3 Bldg. 1F, Osaka<\/p><\/blockquote>\nTonkatsu<\/h2>\n
Pork cutlets dipped in flour and egg batter, coated with bread crumbs and often served with rice and cabbage, Tonkatsu is no stranger to all of us. If you’ve been to Yabu here in Manila, then you’ll have a better idea on what an authentic tonkatsu experience is like.<\/em><\/p>\n
Photo from @katsukura_kyoto<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Maisen | Photo by @maxiemunches<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this: <\/strong><\/span>
\nKatsukura<\/strong> – 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
\nButagumi<\/strong> – 2-24-9 Nishiazabu, Minato, Tokyo
\nMaisen<\/strong> – 4-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Omote-sando exit)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nTempura<\/h2>\n
What pops into our minds is usually Ebi Tempura (shrimp tempura), but actually we also have several options that are fried to a crisp such as other seafood like squid, kani, and even mixed vegetables! It’s normally eaten with rice, served with dipping sauce and a side of ginger.<\/em><\/p>\n
Miyakawa | Photo by @patneid<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Tenmatsu | Photo by @tagawa.c_synapse<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nTenmatsu<\/strong> – 1-8-2 Muromachi, Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
\nMiyakawa<\/strong> – Palace Aoyama, 1F 6-1-6, Minami-aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo<\/p><\/blockquote>\nSukiyaki<\/h2>\n
Served ala hot pot style, Sukiyaki is made up of glass noodles, meat and vegetables thrown inside an iron pot, cooked with soy sauce, sugar sauce and topped off with a raw egg. It has that sweet distinct taste once you slurp on the soup, which makes it one of the comfort food dishes in Japan.<\/em><\/p>\n
Asakusa Imahan | Photo by @chan_chuu_saori_k<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Ishibashi | Photo by @dina_ap<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this: <\/strong><\/span>
\nIshibashi<\/strong> – (one of the oldest sukiyaki restaurants in the world) 3-6-8 Sotokanda, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
\nSakuranabe Nakae Kanemura<\/strong> – (Watch out for the perfomances of Asakusa’s beautiful geishas!) 4-17-7 Senzoku, Taito Ward, Tokyo
\nAsakusa Imahan – <\/strong>3-1-12 Nishiasakusa Taito Tokyo<\/p><\/blockquote>\nMatcha<\/h2>\n
Matcha is a big hit here in Japan and there are several shops that serve various matcha treats from your typical cup of tea, to soft-served ice cream, chocolates and even parfait! If you’re a big fan of matcha, then you should most definitely take this opportunity to try as much as match products as you can! Tip:<\/strong> Royce chocolate is half the price in Japan and FYI, their Matcha Nama Chocolate is the bomb!<\/em><\/p>\n
Cha no Idekaya | Photo by @chee.eats<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Saryo Tsujiri | Photo by @andrewwong116<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nNakamura Tokichi Honten<\/strong> – (They have matcha soba, matcha tea and other matcha sweets!) Ichiban-10 Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
\nCha no Idekaya<\/strong> – (for soft-served matcha ice cream) Odakyu Ace South Bldg, 1-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
\nSaryo Tsujiri<\/strong> – (for matcha parfait) 10F, Daimaru Tokyo, 1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo<\/p><\/blockquote>\nYakitori<\/h2>\n
It’s skewered meat or vegetables, brushed with sauce and grilled to perfection. It’s perfect to eat along with an ice-cold beer or Japanese sake!<\/em><\/p>\n
Hajimeya | Photo from @foodiestory<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Tayutayu | Photo by @juanevaristo_<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nToritama –<\/b> 6-22-19 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo
\nOmoide Yokocho<\/strong> \u2013 (Piss Alley) Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
\nHajimeya<\/strong> \u2013 Kawano Bldg 1F, 1-26-7, Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
\nTayutayu Nambasennichimaeten<\/strong> – 2-6-10 Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka<\/p><\/blockquote>\nUnagi<\/h2>\n
Unagi-no-Kabayaki or eel in English, is typically dipped in sweet soy sauce and then broiled over charcoal.<\/em><\/p>\n
Kawaei | Photo by @satoshi_345<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Obana | Photo by @25jai<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nObana<\/strong> – 5-33-1 Minami-Senju, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo
\nMyojinshita Kandagawa<\/strong> – (Make reservations before coming in here) 2-5-11 Sotokanda, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
\nKawaei<\/strong> – (Try the unagi omelette) 1-19-16 Akabane, Kita Ward, Tokyo<\/p><\/blockquote>\nOnigiri<\/h2>\n
This triangular rice balls is made up of lightly salted rice, with other ingredients like salmon, tuna and egg, then wrapped in nori. It can be found almost anywhere, even in convenience stores, and they’re very cheap!<\/em><\/p>\n
Onigiri Yadoroku | Photo by @couple_cups<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Photo from @tokyocalendar<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this: <\/strong><\/span>
\nConvenience stores<\/strong> – Family Mart, Lawson, Sunkus, 7-Eleven
\nOmusubi Gonbei<\/strong> – 1 Chome-1-76, Akabana, Kita, Tokyo
\nOnigiri Yadoroku<\/strong> – 3-9-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo-to 111-0032<\/p><\/blockquote>\nGyoza<\/h2>\n
Pan-fried or steamed, juicy dumplings filled with ground pork, cabbage, chives and garlic, and dipped in soy sauce when eaten. It’s the Japanese counterpart of a Chinese dimsum.<\/em><\/p>\n
Photo by @kaorixx3<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Photo by @jasmin1409<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nHarajuku Gyozaro<\/strong> – 6-2-4 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
\nKailaku<\/strong> – (For huge gyozas) 1-27-2, Toshima, Tokyo<\/p><\/blockquote>\nOkonomiyaki<\/h2>\n
It’s a pan-fried, savory pancake filled with cabbage, seafood or meat and other ingredients; it’s actually similar to takoyaki.<\/em><\/p>\n
Sometaro | Photo by @asamiiiii128<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Mizuno | Photo by @huakthatsmyname<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nMizuno <\/strong>– 1 Chome-4-15 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka
\nOkonomiyaki Sometaro – <\/strong>111-0035 Tokyo, Tait\u014d, West Asakusa 2-chome 2\u22122
\nZen<\/strong> – (for Monjayaki aka Hiroshima style) – 160-0022 T\u014dky\u014d-to, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku, 5 Chome-10<\/p><\/blockquote>\nNingyo-Yaki \/ Taiyaki<\/h2>\n
Ningyo-Yaki or Taiyaki is a waffle-like pastry filled with what is usually red bean paste or sometimes chocolate and even cream cheese. It comes in different shapes and sizes and is best eaten fresh after cooking.<\/em><\/p>\n
Photo by @tokyotaiyaki<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Ningo-yaki | Photo by @lyric_tokyo_bijinkai<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Where to get this:<\/strong><\/span>
\nGanso Kimuraya Ningyoyakihonpo<\/strong> – (oldest Ningyo-Yaki store in Asakusa) 2-3-1 Asakusa Taito, Tokyo
\nNaniwaya Souhoten<\/strong> – (They have a cafe inside) 1-8-14 Azabujuban, Minato-ku, Tokyo<\/p><\/blockquote>\n