Tuyen's Blog

Posts for Tag: Japan

Izakaya #1 in Kyoto


We were lucky to have friends in Kyoto to take us around. Our first meal in Kyoto was at a small family run izakaya. This place fit my exact image of a true izakaya - small, intimate, amazing food/drink. Some highlights were large sea snail and probably the best piece of roasted chicken I've ever had. Our friend remarked that it was "ji tori" or craft chicken. Think craft beer versus regular big brand beer. Out of this world!

Off to Kyoto!

We took the bullet train to Kyoto. Went to a bento emporium in Tokyo Station called Ekibenya Matsuri. Had probably 50 different types to choose from. They even had one with a pull tab that heats up your food!

Department Store Eating

Our last meals in Tokyo were at the shopping malls. First I went to a 3rd wave coffee shop called "Be A Good Neighbor" which was in the Tokyo Skytree mall. Quite good and on par with shops like Blue Bottle.


We then hit the food court and had awesome udon. You get a base bowl of noodles and broth which you then can load up with toppings. This particular bowl had a tempura soft boiled egg and chicken karaage on the side. Our other bowl came with an onion and little shrimp tempura basket.


For dinner we had hand made soba at one of the finer malls in Ginza. Was quite a contrast to tenzaru soba in the US. The icing on the cake was a pot of soba water which you poured into your dipping sauce after you're done eating and drink like a savory tea.

Sensō-ji in Asakusa

Went to see the big red lantern at the Kaminarimon leading to the Sensō-ji. Of course it was packed and high noon so the heat level was off the charts. Luckily we had shaved ice to cool us off. Last shot is of the Tokyo Skytree in the distance. We ended up there afterwards.

Ghibli Museum and Izakaya

We stopped by the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka outside of Tokyo. It's an awesome spot for fans of their movies. Unfortunately no photos allowed inside. In their cafe they even have their own beer!

Afterwards we hit an izakaya in Tokyo. Very big city feel to it so not an intimate place (it was huge with tons of corridors and private rooms) but still authentic. Lots of salary men and office ladies drinking, eating and smoking.