Category: Japan

Wagokoro Tonkatsu Anzu Hanare

Wagokoro Tonkatsu Anzu Hanare is just a two-minute walk from Ginza Station. This elegant tonkatsu restaurant specializes in premium Miyazaki beef cutlets and Joshu pork cutlets. The interior is clean, bright, and welcoming, creating a calm and comfortable dining atmosphere.

From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles, and the staff spoke English.

The restaurant offers a weekday lunch special called Anzu-zen, limited to just 20 servings each day. It features an aged pork loin cutlet served with freshly cooked rice, miso soup, carefully prepared pickles, and dried daikon radish, allowing diners to enjoy a little of everything the restaurant is known for. Unfortunately, it was already sold out by the time I arrived.

I was seated at the counter, where I had a front-row view of the open kitchen. One of the highlights was watching the rice being cooked to order in an earthenware pot over a traditional kamado stove.

I ordered the fillet katsu set, which came with freshly cooked rice, miso soup, shredded cabbage salad, pickles, and seasoned daikon radish.

The meal began with the daikon radish, which had a refreshing, lightly savory crunch that perfectly stimulated the appetite. The fillet itself was exceptionally tender and practically melted in my mouth. The coating was light, crisp, and beautifully golden without feeling greasy at all. Every bite was satisfying, and the presentation of the meal was just as impressive as its flavor.

The portions were also quite generous, making it a filling and satisfying lunch. With its attentive service, high-quality ingredients, and meticulous preparation, Wagokoro Tonkatsu Anzu Hanare is well worth a visit for anyone looking to enjoy an exceptional tonkatsu experience in Ginza.

Wagokoro Tonkatsu Anzu Hanare

和心とんかつ あんず はなれ

Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 6 Chome−3−5 小池ビル 1階

A Taste of Oslo in Tokyo: Coffee at Fuglen Shibuya

Fuglen has been serving quality coffee in Oslo since 1963, and in 2012, it brought a little piece of Norway to Japan with the opening of its first Tokyo café. Today, there are two branches—Shibuya and Asakusa—and I stopped by the Shibuya location during a quiet morning in the city.

Fuglen Tokyo is a stylish and cozy café that blends Scandinavian design with Japanese hospitality. The vibe strikes the perfect balance between cozy Nordic minimalism and warm Japanese charm. I visited on a quiet morning, making it the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a leisurely coffee.

The menu offers a wide variety of espresso-based drinks alongside pour-over coffee, tea, non-caffeinated beverages, and even cocktails later in the day.

I ordered a flat white with oat milk and Brunost on toast with butter. As someone who loves Brunost, this was an easy choice. The Norwegian brown cheese has a subtly sweet, caramel-like flavor that is unlike any other cheese. It was served on beautifully toasted bread with a crisp, golden crust and a soft, fluffy interior. Paired with the smooth, well-balanced flat white, it made for the perfect breakfast.

If you’re looking for excellent coffee and a café with plenty of character, Fuglen is definitely worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary.

Fuglen Shibuya

1 Chome-16-11 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0063, Japan

A Charming Bakery Café in Roppongi, Tokyo

Located in Tokyo’s Roppongi district, Bricolage Bread & Co. came highly recommended by my hairstylist, who is a Tokyo local. I had also read that it is a popular bakery and that there can often be a queue, so I was pleasantly surprised when I visited around 9am on a weekday and was able to get a table immediately.

The bakery has a lovely location and a bright, welcoming atmosphere. Large glass windows fill the space with plenty of natural light. The breakfast menu and bakery selection are diverse, fresh, and beautifully presented.

There are three seating areas: the main indoor dining space, the terrace, and a smaller seating area near the bakery display. The main indoor area was already full during my visit and was quite noisy.

The ordering system was slightly confusing. The counter on the left side of the column is where you order your food and drinks. You will be given an electronic beeper and can then pick up your food from the next room, which is the main indoor dining area. Coffee orders are collected directly from the coffee bar, while the register on the right side of the column is mainly for takeaway bakery items.

The menu features a variety of breakfast favourites, including different types of toast with toppings, sandwiches with fillings such as avocado and pastrami, shakshuka, burgers, and several side dishes.

I ordered a flat white with oat milk, and I was pleasantly surprised by the coffee. It was bolder and had a richer flavour compared to many coffees I had tried in Japan, with a nice creamy foam texture that paired well with breakfast.

For food, I chose the corned beef eggs Benedict. The dish was beautifully presented, with a lovely balance of sweet, creamy, and tangy flavours. The eggs were complemented by the tender corned beef, and the bread underneath was soft, moist, and absorbed the sauce beautifully without becoming soggy.

Overall, Bricolage Bread & Co. was a lovely breakfast stop in Roppongi. With its bright atmosphere, quality food, and beautiful bakery selection, it is easy to see why it is popular among both locals and visitors.

Bricolage bread & co.

Japan, 〒106-0032 Tokyo, Minato City, Roppongi, 6 Chome−15−1 けやき坂テラス 1F

A Peaceful Afternoon at d Shokudo Kyoto

Located within the grounds of Bukkō-ji Temple, d shokudo kyoto sits quietly beside the D&DEPARTMENT KYOTO gift shop, offering a tranquil escape from the crowds of Kyoto. The calm atmosphere of the temple grounds already makes you slow down the moment you walk in.

I visited the cafe in the late afternoon and sat by the window overlooking the temple grounds. With the soft natural light coming through and the comfortable low chairs, it felt like the perfect place to rest after a busy day of exploring.

The staff were warm and friendly, spoke some English, and there was an English menu available. They offer both a lunch menu and desserts, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and simple Japanese-style comfort food.

I ordered the seasonal yuzu parfait, and it was beautifully layered with many different textures and ingredients. The first few bites were bright and tangy with a slight hint of bitterness from the yuzu, but as I worked my way down the parfait, each layer revealed something different. You could distinctly taste every element, yet all the flavors came together perfectly, creating something incredibly refreshing and balanced rather than overly sweet.

It was one of those desserts that feels thoughtful and carefully crafted, best enjoyed slowly while taking in the peaceful temple view.

D&Department Kyoto / d Shokudo Kyoto

Japan, 〒600-8084 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Shinkaicho, 397 本山佛光寺内

Hiroshima-Style Okonomiyaki at Junior

Okonomiyaki is a well-known dish in Hiroshima. Unlike Osaka-style, where everything is mixed into a batter, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is made by layering the ingredients — giving it a more distinct texture.

Junior is a tiny, unassuming, and no-frills restaurant, run by just one person. Seating is limited to 8 seats, and because each okonomiyaki is cooked fresh on the spot, the wait can be quite long.

I arrived shortly after checking into my hotel — it was just a short walk away. The restaurant opened at 12, and when I got there around 12:15, all 8 seats were already taken. I ended up waiting in line for over an hour, and from start to finish, it took about 2 hours before I finally got my food.

Was it worth the wait? I think it depends. It seems really popular with foreign tourists, and I could definitely feel the hype while standing there.

I ordered the standard okonomiyaki and beef brisket. The brisket was well-seasoned, but a bit chewy for my liking. The okonomiyaki was savory, comforting, with that classic sweet-salty sauce and lots of cabbage and noodles layered in. It was good, but not something I’d personally wait two hours for again.

It may not have been the most unforgettable meal, but it was still a nice experience. I’m glad I tried it — just maybe not something I’d queue that long for again.

Junior Okonomiyaki お好み焼き じゅにあ

3-21 Tatemachi, Naka Ward, Hiroshima, 730-0032, Japan

A Retro Cafe Experience at Umihiko

Tucked along a quietly preserved street lined with century-old homes, Umihiko Cafe feels like stepping into a different era. Housed in a lovingly restored 120-year-old residence—considered one of the “younger” buildings in a neighborhood where many structures date back over 140 years—the cafe leans fully into its retro charm. Inside, antique furnishings and nostalgic touches create a warm, almost cinematic atmosphere.

It’s essentially a one-man operation—just a single staff member running the entire show. There’s no hovering service here; instead, a small bell sits on each table. Need something? Just give it a gentle ring.

I ordered a yuzu tea paired with a slice of chocolate cake. The yuzu drink was bright and refreshing, with just the right balance of citrus tang—perfect for cleansing the palate. The chocolate cake, on the other hand, leaned indulgent: rich, moist, and deeply satisfying. Served alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it struck that perfect contrast between warm decadence and cool creaminess.

Umihiko Cafe

Tomo-824 Tomocho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima 720-0201, Japan

Hearty Gomtang at OKDONGSIK

 

After a full day of exploring Tokyo, I was craving something simple and comforting—ideally close to my hotel. A quick scroll through Google Maps led me to OKDONGSIK, a modest Korean spot specializing in dweji gomtang (clear pork soup), exactly what I had in mind. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking carefully especially at night—the signage is quite subtle.

Originally founded in Seoul in 2017, OKDONGSIK has since expanded internationally, with locations in cities like Tokyo, New York, and Paris.

The menu is focused and straightforward, offering three portion sizes and a small selection of side dishes. I went with the classic pork soup: the broth was clean, warming, and deeply comforting without feeling heavy. The pork slices were tender, with a nice balance of lean meat and fat.

Overall, it was a satisfying, no-frills meal—perfect if you’re in the area and looking for something simple and hearty.

OKDONGSIK

44-10 Yanghwa-ro 7-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Creamy Indulgence at Pierre Hermé Marunouchi

Located along Marunouchi Naka-Dori Avenue, Made in Pierre Hermé Marunouchi is a beautiful café with a sleek, elegant, and inviting interior—perfect for a relaxed yet refined treat.

The menu offers a wide variety of soft serve toppings, along with coffee, tea, soft drinks, and even alcohol. There’s also an impressive selection of sweets, including cakes, tarts, cookies, macarons, chocolates, and baked goods. In addition, you’ll find thoughtfully curated food products from different regions, such as pickles, jams, rice, mayonnaise, and seaweed. For something more savory, light meals like delicatessen dishes and sandwiches are also available.

I tried the soft serve with espresso and caramel nuts. The ice cream was incredibly creamy and smooth, melting effortlessly in your mouth. The espresso added a slightly bitter richness with a roasted, almost chocolatey depth, while the caramel nuts brought a hint of toasted warmth and a satisfying nutty crunch.

It’s like an affogato meets a caramel sundae—absolutely delicious.

Made in Pierre Hermé Marunouchi

Japan, 〒100-0005 Tokyo, Chiyoda City, Marunouchi, 3 Chome−2−3 二重橋スクエア 1F

A Surprise Find at Ramen Shiina

My friend and I had originally planned to visit a well-known udon spot in Shinjuku, but with a wait time of over two hours, we decided to wander the neighborhood instead in search of something else. That’s when we stumbled upon Ramen Shiina—a modest chicken ramen shop that was simple, clean, with friendly staff and prompt service.

The menu offers four main options: shoyu (soy sauce), shio (salt), a rich, thick chicken broth, and dry noodles served with a dipping sauce.

We didn’t expect much at first—but from the very first sip, we were blown away. It easily ranks among the best ramen I’ve had. I ordered the thick chicken soup, while my friend chose the shoyu. We asked for our noodles to be cooked a little softer than al dente, and they came out perfectly to our liking.

The shoyu broth was light yet deeply savory, layered with umami. The thick chicken soup, on the other hand, was rich and creamy with a depth of flavor that lingered in the best way. Both bowls were incredibly satisfying. The chicken was tender, juicy, and full of flavor, with a subtle hint of smokiness. The dumplings were the perfect finishing touch—well-seasoned, juicy, and comforting.

A hidden gem we almost overlooked, but one we’ll definitely be coming back to.

Ramen Shiina

Japan, 〒160-0004 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Yotsuya, 4 Chome−30−15 市川ビル 1F

Yebisuya: A Historic Sake Brewery Turned Folk House Café

Yebisuya, the oldest sake brewery in Hiroshima, was founded in 1603 and continued producing sake until 1995. Steeped in history, parts of the building date back to the Edo period, giving the space a quiet, timeless charm. Today, the restaurant doubles as a small museum, with beautifully preserved pottery sake bottles from centuries past on display—subtle reminders of its rich heritage.

I visited Tomonoura during the off-season, and the stillness made it feel like a truly personal experience. With hardly any visitors around, I felt as though I had the entire place to myself. The building is old, yet impeccably clean and well maintained—it truly feels like stepping back in time. It’s run by a lovely couple.

The menu is simple, offering just one lunch set, but every dish felt thoughtful and comforting. The meal was humble yet deeply satisfying, with each element prepared with care. To finish, I had a light and fluffy chocolate cake that wasn’t overly sweet, paired perfectly with a fragrant cup of hot yuzu tea.

At one point, the owner came over to share that the lacquer tray I was using was over 100 years old. His pride was evident, and I was genuinely surprised by how beautifully preserved it was—a small but memorable detail that made the experience even more special.

Ebisuya 胡屋

Tomo-355-1 Tomocho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima 720-0201, Japan