Favorite Summer Dessert In Japan

Yes! my favorite summer dessert - in Japan - but ironically i wasn’t introduced to this when I was living in Japan - it was in Malaysia - in a cafe at Daimaru that I first at this dessert called Azuki Shiratama.  You see - i had some online coupons to this restaurant and anything free or discounted is great right - especially for a student then.  Yes ! i was only 17 years old and had gone there with a friend to try this summer dessert.  Never did I think that 10 yrs later - i would be sitting in Osaka having the same dessert in a small little cafe - I hear it’s a favorite summer dessert for a lot of Japanese as well.  Consisting of red beans, green tea ice cream, glutinous rice, jelly at the bottom, fruits and lots of brown sugar syrup.  Glad that there were the online coupons for me to go try this wonderful dessert.

People’s Bar aka Izakaya

My girlfriends in Tokyo calls it a People’s bar but this well known Izakaya is featured on tv - the internet and all sorts of tourist books and books too find good food in Japan.  I haven’t been in Japan for too long - yet I know this place.  But like all non- Japanese i would have preferred some contemporary coffee tables and don’t let my co-workers hear it because they loved the authentic Izakaya so much - nothing could deter them from coming here every evening.

The one that we so often go to is the one near the Shinjuku line at the Morishita Station - it`s very near to our office and anyone taking the subway - is only 2 mins away.  3 storey high as you can see in this picture - there isn`t very much seating in the entire house.

One of the very famous food we like to order are these skewers - chicken -  Yaki -ton - it goes so well with beer - or any cold drinks - we just can`t stop eating.  But it`s not only the Yaki ton that is good - Yamariki has a huge menu but like any izakaya - you could expect the freshest here.  I heard that because the owner had worked in some good french restaurants before - therefore - one can find some pretty good eats that are not Japanese here.

You see why I say i prefer the contemporary coffee tables?  Yes ! not as cozy eh as one would expect - when these Japanese spends hours after work here.  They also have a loud intercom - that they use to communicate between floors - it gets annoying after an hour.

This dish is called Nikomi - i heard it was cooked with some special sauce aged for 40 yrs - and they also have bbq pick intestines - i didn’t try it but a co - worker who did loved it.   Overall, if you are looking for a authentic japanese dining experience - a Izakaya - or a People’s Bar is the place to be and the Yamariki is well known - try that out yourself.

Azuki Taste Pepsi

Last year a friend who was in Japan told me about this red bean flavored pepsi - yes - azuki beans if you must know the traditional word for it.  So i told her to get me some for Christmas if she was so inclined to get me something as a gift.  So what do you make out of it - red bean flavored pepsi - LOL!   be prepared to get some accutane my girlfriend had teased me about it.  I can’t imagine anyone liking it - i never liked the cherry flavored ones - but one should be adventurous right ? and try it at least once even though it was kinda expensive.

Sake Lover Or Squid Lover

We’ve received many first communion invitations before but the ones given to us by our co-worker in Japan was the most unique.   I mean look at what they had come up with lately - an edible sake bottle made from squids.  Yes…! i kid you not..! hahhaha!! funny right..?? but i figured .. it would be pretty cool, first to have your sake.. and then eat the squids as snacks.  For those not from Japan, you may want to look out for them, and buy them just to keep them as souvenirs from Japan.  Well, for those who don’t like squids - just offer the squids to someone and keep the edible bottles anyways.

Homey Cafe In Japan

Japan or anywheres in tokyo is quite a trendy place .. but when you lived in Tokyo for as long as I did, you wanna try more homey stuff instead of those from the chain stores.  One can get starbucks anywheres in Japan..  but a homey cafe like this .. is not easy to find.  This cafe is a gem and was recommended by someone .. and even though it is in an old house, the food served was pretty nice. Nothing like sitting with old friends.. and enjoying a cosy conversation and looking up some  Black Friday deals or just chatting up the nice wait staff.  Located in Kitazawa - it’s called mois cafe.  Check it out if you are in the vicinity eh.

Fruit Sandwich & Juice Shop

You have to love the Japanese for their food and the presentation of their food.  Japanese takes pride in what they produce and you can rarely go wrong with specialty food stores and cafes like the Senbikiya.  This fruit shop is located in Tokyo and they specializes in fruits.. and beautiful food at that.  Very yummy .. but i cannot say it is the most healthy..  but very ex lor.It is customary to bring gifts when visiting a friend in Japan - so these sandwiches comes handy and there is always something for every occasion you can think of.

Juice are also very good.. and many flavors to choose from the menu.  Some sandwiches i heard .. are not only made with real fruit slices ..and sour cream but only lemon buttered breads.

Vending Machines In Japan

One has gotta love the vending machines in Japan and not only in Tokyo or Kyoto.. but just about everywhere and anywhere.. where civilization exists.  it’s surprising that with so many convenient vending machines for just about everything  - from  selling tickets, noodles, juice, cigarettes, condoms and liquor.

But to consume or buy alcohol one has to be over 20 yrs of age - but because of the vending machines - the minors are also using it as a means to get their fix.  I’m just surprised they are not on a phentermine diet pills since everything is easily accessible.

The drinks weren’t cheap at all.. therefore - i didn’t really try much different drinks.. but another time to Japan.. i’m gonna try just about everything.

Starbucks Japan

So i’ve been asked .. if they do have Starbucks in Japan and not once but many times.  And I’m proud to let you all know that Starbucks is everywhere in Japan and it’s as easy as getting your Logo usb drive in the States.   They are just about everywhere in Japan.. if you asked me - you can miss the green logo and the Starbucks sign.  Just like any regular Starbucks.. and yes.. the gals and guys speaks in English.. and they call out your name.. like they do back home.. once they have your latte or frappuccino ready.

In fact, I heard that you can get your Starbucks fix at your local convenient store now.. but don’t quote me.. i heard this from a friend who came back from a vacation recently.  So if you are on vacation or relocating for  a teaching job, you can find a little comfort from home at Starbucks.. and yes. they do have Wifi at the branch i was in.

Japanese Food Never Been Faster

Where..??  in Japan of course.. !!! faster than any colon cleanse review and it came the fastest ever .. serving really decent food.  I timed their promised to serve within 45 seconds of ordering your food.  Going into Yoshinoya was like going to a football game with the ra-ra team and pomp pomp gals.  You can feel the vibrant .. but on days where you wanna have a quiet lunch.. well lets just say this may not be the place for you. I love the beef on rice and the green tea was free - for about $5 - i had a good meal.   There are many branches all over Japan, check it out.

Ice Cream In Your Ramen

I thought i should share this unique ramen store with all of you.  I was there.. many years ago.. but i don’t know if they still exist.  But it’s funny .. when you think about it.. coz’ how do one eat ice cream with your piping hot ramen right..? Located near the Kitasenjyu Station in Tokyo about 15 mins walk away is this speciality ramen store called Kikuya.

Interesting eh..? Expect to find your Vanilla ice cream ramen or chocolate ramen here and other favorites as well.  They have the Green Tea Ramen my favorite.. and please try to go in the summer.. because it’s like a limited seasonalk thing i heard.   At 500Yen a bowl, it is quite costly eh.

Other items on the menu include white ramen (yogurt), red ramen (tomato), natto ramen, milk ramen, hot cocoa ramen, pork kimchi ramen, and other crazy combinations.