Tokyo Weekender - December 2017 - January 2018

[ PROMOTION ]
WAYS TO
DEVOUR
TOKYO
Everybody knows that Tokyo is one
of the food capitals of the world. Here
are a few things any traveler should
have on their menu
BEEF UP
Wagyu is Japanese beef that’s
known for its rich marbling
and its decadently succulent
flavor. Of course, this kind of
quality doesn’t come without a
hefty price tag, but this is one
luxury that you’ll definitely
want to spring for. Some of
the best places to splurge:
either of Ukai-Tei’s locations
(there’s one in Ginza and one
in Omotesando), Yoroniku
in Aoyama, and Kobe Beef
Kaiseki 511 in Akasaka.
SAVOR SOME SUSHI
If you spent any time in Tokyo and didn’t feast on
sushi, your friends and family might just put you on
plane and send you back for a return visit. It might
be tough to get a seat at world famous Sukiyabashi
Jiro, but there are plenty of other options: look for
fancy fare at Kyubey or Tsugu Sushimasa, head
down to Tsukiji’s sushi spots for some of the freshest
fish around, or go for a playful take on conveyor
belt sushi at Sushi Go Round.
GET DOWN WITH ODEN
A classic winter food, oden comes in a wide variety
of shapes and sizes, all served up in a hot broth.
Everything from miniature sausages to boiled
daikon or tomatoes fits into the category of oden,
but perhaps the best-known variety are the many
items that are made from fish cake or konnyaku.
You can find restaurants that specialize in oden (try
Somen under the Nakameguro railway tracks), but
there’s really nothing wrong with getting it from the
combini. Not sure what a particular item’s called?
Just point at the pictures and you’ll be fine.
LEAVE ROOM
FOR DESSERT
If you’re looking for sweets that
are going to be as fun to look
at as they are to eat, you’re in
the right place. You can find
unicorn cupcakes and other
creations at Monarch of London
in Shibuya, while Dominique
Ansel in Omotesando or Ginza
has more brilliant confections
on hand than Willy Wonka. For
sheer technicolor explosions, try
Gram Factory’s shaved ice shop
in Shimokitazawa, or the Kyary
Pamyu Pamyu themed Kawaii
Monster Café in Harajuku.
HELP YOURSELF
TO A BOWLFUL
Ramen is one of the
country’s most recognizable
soul foods, and pretty much
every prefecture puts its own
spin on the noodle. Here
are the basics: shio ramen
means a salt based broth
with a pretty light flavor,
shoyu is a soy sauce based
soup, and tonkotsu features
a broth made from pork
bones. More exotic versions
of the dish can feature soup
flavored with everything
from tomato to green curry.
FEAST ON FAST INTERNET,
WHEREVER YOU ARE
No matter where your sense of
adventure – or your appetite – takes
you in Japan, you don’t want to miss
out on uploading your pictures and
posts, finding your way around, and
staying in touch with your friends
while you’re on the go. When you
rent a Pocket WiFi from Global
Mobile, you can be online all the
time, with blazing fast LTE. Service
is available for as little as ¥200
a day. For more details, visit
www.gmobile.biz/softbank/inbound.
58 | DEC 2017 - JAN 2018 | TOKYO WEEKENDER