A return to Tokyo always means maximising the number of authentic Japanese meals I can squeeze in within that certain number of days I am there. And it always seems insufficient to include all my must-haves. I conclude that Japan is one of those countries where you must make multiple trips to different prefectures from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa, the southern most island to truly see the diversity in landscape, cuisine, custom and language.
On this particular trip, it is the simple food that makes me almost feel like a local there. Daily fares such as soba, curry rice, yakitori and shaved ice { kakigori ) that brings much nostalgia. Don’t worry about searching the fancy restaurants or fusion versions…. just go for the typical Japanese everyday comfort food…. Standing among time-lacking train commuters in a noodle bar, or choosing one of the many buttons on the vending machine to purchase your rice bowl ticket or wandering around the underground maze beneath every major train station…it is really hard to make a choice, or the right choice that can give the maximum satisfaction. Every window display seems to be the No. 1 choice!
Tokyo is an amazing city which is still very affordable considering you don’t have to dish out extra dollars for genuine Japanese food. And most outlets offer free water, free tea, free wet towel, free condiments and garnish. And I particularly like it that everyone returns the tray to the respective counters to always keep the table clean and ready for the next customer and speed up the dining process.
Another trip is on the way to mark the relocation of the famous Tsukiji fish market to its new premise in Tokyo Bay. The best sashimi in the world is waiting !
HappyChirashi 