1008 July 19-Aug 1, 2013 - Metropolis

BITES
THE LATEST DISH ON FOOD & DRINK IN THE BIG CITY Dining Out
tea
If you like a bit of cold matcha but you're ashamed
to buy it in public, then this posh bottled Freshie
offering could be your passport to success. The
matcha powder is kept in a separate, sealed capsule.
When you sidle into an alleyway and twist the cap
clockwise, the green dust will graciously flutter into
the mineral water (with help from a hefty tap). According
to the instructions, you must then shake the
bottle ten times, turn the cap the other way to open,
and open your gullet to a pure taste of Japan. The
strongly perfumed tea comes from Hoshinomura in
Fukuoka, and the water—from Ibukiyama on the border
of Shiga and Gifu prefectures—is clear enough to
make a merry match with the matcha. ¥500, available
at Kabukiza Ginza and other fancy venues.
www.freshie.jp/
puffy
IFor those undecided about whether to plump for
a pastry or a drink, Fujiya Sweets has released
a holy combo of the two to give you double the
sugar rush. The drinkable cream puff looks like your
average pastry from the outside. But tap into it with
a straw and slurp up a drinkable jelly as if you were
some Nevada oil rig. Then simply eat the casing to dispose
of the evidence. Available flavors are coffee jelly
with milk custard or milk jelly in custard if caffeine
ain’t your scene. ¥250, at Fujiya stores across Japan.
www.fujiya.peko.co.jp
COURTESY OF FUJIYA
kosher
Religious Jews around the world may now drink
kosher nihonshu, courtesy of Iwate Prefecture’s
Kuji Brewery. Proud owners of the first license
of its kind in Japan, they offer a range of rice wine and
plum wine certified 100 percent kosher by Rabbi Binyomin
Y. Edery of Chabad Tokyo Japan. Kuji Brewery
was founded in 1912 and is the home of Japan’s oldest
sake vending machine—a wooden contraption that
once sold free-running wine at half-a-yen per cup. The
brewers have also pioneered “clean” sake brewing (no
added sugars) since 1951 and master brewer Hajime
Yamaguchi was selected as one of 100 Great Craftsmen
by the Ministry of Labor. The Nanbu Bijin special
junmaishu (sake made without any added sugar or alcohol)
is available in the 1,800ml ishobin bottle for ¥2,415
and the 720ml yongobin bottle for ¥1,365. Kuji also
offers kosher umeshu in the same sizes (¥2,980/1,700).
Buy online at http://cassiopeia.shop-pro.jp or see
www.nanbubijin.co.jp for a list of vendors.
COURTESY OF KUJI BREWERY
cider
Summer drinks aren’t necessarily all about alcohol
and sweets—any chilled carbonated bevvy
can go down a treat. Take some of the subtly
flavored and non-alcoholic summer drinks from
Kinugawa Cider. Its bottled Nikko Mineral Water is
made of 100% ground water from—where else?—Nikko,
and it’s subtly flavored to enhance the taste of the
natural mineral water. Tochi Otome is flavored with
organic strawberries grown with minimal pesticides,
with no added color or flavorings. And Fuji apples
from Aramaki orchards are natural source of flavor
in the Ripe Apple variety. Available in 340ml bottles
(¥200) or cases of 24 bottles (¥4,800). The company
also crafts Kinugawa Onsen Beer (330ml, ¥580ml)
for those who prefer something a little stronger.
www.noboruya.jp
COURTESY OF NOBURAYA
adult ice
There really is nothing cooler than crushed ice
in summer, but it can seem a little childish.
The garish colors can bring to mind crayons
and club nights rather than the fruits they’re intended
to imitate. Fortunately, The Strings by InterContinental
bar has a more sophisticated solution. Located on the
26th floor of the hotel in the originally named The Dining
Room, this upscale watering hole will be serving a
Special Patisse Kakigori summer cocktail guaranteed
to cool you down and get your spirits high. Sweltering
customers can customize the icy treat by choosing
from five base-flavor syrups including peach, matcha,
green apple with herb, tropical curry and cassis—all
garnished with a layer of fresh fruit and topped with a
champagne of your choice. The “adult” afternoon tea
set includes one kakigori cockgtail, a plate of biscuits
and is accompanied by coffee or tea. ¥1,800, available
daily 2:30-5:30pm until Sep 16. 26F The Strings
by InterContinental Tokyo, Shinagawa East One
Tower. Nearest stn: Shinagawa. Tel: 03-5783-1111.
www.intercontinental-strings.jp
COURTESY OF THE STRINGS BY INTERCONTINENTAL
oh! cha
Purveyors of green gold the Nanaya Matcha
Sweets Factory have diversified their portfolio
to include large animals of the savannah and
grassy plains. Their new Animal Tea Party set of cuddly
shapes sit soaking in your cuppa while it steeps. A
groovin' giraffe, happy hippo, eager elephant, movin’
monkey and laid-back lion will all kick back in your cup
of matcha-infused green tea when you need something
genki. For insomniacs, an almost-awake alpaca, snoozing
sheep, bedded bear, and one very relaxed raccoon
will soak in the caffeine-free hojicha (roasted green
tea) night-time version—which is also child friendly,
if you’re worried about monkeys jumping on the bed
all night. Nanaya Matcha Sweets Factory also offers
matcha gelato, matcha roll cake, matcha senbei, matcha
cookies, matcha fresh cream daifuku... you get the
idea. ¥525 per five-bag set. Or order six sets for ¥3,000.
www.nanaya-matcha.com
COURTESY OF NANAYA MATCHA SWEETS FACTORY
22 • DOWNLOAD OUR PODCAST AT • PODCAST.METROPOLIS.CO.JP