Tokyo Weekender - December 2017 - January 2018

experiences FOOD
STALL 3: SHABU SHABU FROM
SUZUKA, MIE PREFECTURE
VISIT SHINTORA CAFÉ FOR
A FUSION OF JAPANESE,
SPANISH AND ITALIAN
FLAVORS
Tapas fans will love the variety of
dishes available at the café, which
are a delectable fusion of flavors.
Here you’ll find palate pleasers like
konnyaku (a jelly made from a type
of potato) and beef shank in bamboo
charcoal ajillo, creamy Manchurian
rice stems and Komokin pork gratin
with spicy yuzu taste, seaweed and
parmigiano cheese fried galette, and
more. Save some room for dessert
though, as the zunda (paste made
from edamame beans) ice cream
and strawberry matcha crepes are
sure to blow your mind. Drop by
for lunch and ask for the lunchtime
mini tapas – only ¥200 per dish!
TABISURU SHINTORA
MARKET’S WINTER EDITION
KICKS OFF IN THE NEW YEAR
Starting in January, Tabisuru Shintora
Market will take on a new look
with new cities, under the theme of
The Dawn of Spring and Enlightenment.
2018 will be the 150th anniversary
of the Meiji Restoration, a
time of new beginnings and change.
This edition of Tabisuru Shintora
Market will be a celebration of
people, lifestyle, crafts and arts,
with history as a focal point.
As Mie Prefecture is the third top producer of green tea in Japan, it’s only
right that Suzuka’s specialty shabu shabu is made using Tsubaki Saen green
tea. The dish serves two to three people and features locally raised sakura
pork and crispy green lettuce. For light nibbles to go with your drink, try
the penne pasta arrabiata, or squid tempura – both dyed black using Suzuka
ink! Pair with Zaku, an award-winning sake that won a gold medal in this
year’s national sake competition.
STALL 4: TAI OCHAZUKE AND
MORE FROM NIIGATA VILLAGES
For something filling but not too heavy,
the lunchtime onigiri set comes with fried
chicken, potato salad, and miso soup. To
go with after dinner drinks of local wine,
shochu or yogurt liqueur, try the warming
tai ochazuke (green tea poured over sea
bream and rice), or the nourishing seafood
gratin. Follow up with an ice cream sundae
infused with amazake (traditional sweet
alcohol made from fermented rice), or a set
of dango (sweet rice dumplings) that comes
with edamame ice cream and hot green tea.
TABISURU SHINTORA MARKET
Address: 2-16 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku
Web: www.tabisuru-market.jp
TOKYO WEEKENDER | DEC 2017 - JAN 2018 | 47