Niimura, located in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo, Japan, is a restaurant specializing in tonkatsu, or Japanese fried pork cutlets. Before my visit, I had never heard of Niimura. I only noticed the restaurant thanks to a sign in front that displayed a Deep-Fried Pork Cutlet Set with rice and miso soup for 1800 yen. …
Sushi Zanmai Higashi Shinjuku is part of a popular sushi chain found in Japan. It’s well known for its quality sushi at reasonable prices. After traveling for 12 hours from California to Tokyo, I was tired, jet lagged, and in the mood for sushi. Since it was midnight, my options were limited. Exhausted from traveling, …
When my friend found out I was in Tokyo, he recommended I visit Kamo to Negi, a small shop near Ueno Station, famous for their duck ramen. Although I’ve had duck before and enjoyed countless bowls of ramen during my visits to Japan, I had never tried duck ramen. So, I knew it was something …
When I think of Tokyo, one of the first places that comes to mind is Shinjuku. This vibrant and dynamic ward, or neighborhood, which surrounds Shinjuku Station, is the epicenter of nightlife, entertainment, shopping, business, drinking, and eating in Tokyo. For decades, Shinjuku has attracted both locals and tourists who come from all around to …
First-time Japan visitors often ask me, “Which airport in Tokyo should I fly into, Narita or Haneda?” This is a tough question, as there is no easy answer. Which airport you fly into depends on factors including price, connections, the location of your hotel, and where you are heading after you land. Both airports are …
In 2017, Nakiryu became only the second ramen restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, to be awarded a Michelin star for their spicy tantanmen ramen. When you think of Michelin-star restaurants, you might think of fancy, expensive places where you must dress in a coat and tie. And then there is Nakiryu, a small ramen shop with …
Out of all the foods I have encountered while traveling in Japan, none might be more comforting and delicious than tonkatsu, a Japanese-style pork cutlet which is breaded and deep-fried to perfection. I love tonkatsu, and I never get tired of eating it. While Tokyo has many great places to try tonkatsu, none might be …
It was my last night in Tokyo, and I was looking for a place to eat near my Airbnb that wouldn’t break the bank. Unfortunately, I was staying in Ginza, one of the most expensive areas in Tokyo. Enter any restaurant in Ginza, and you can easily walk out with a 20,000 yen ($135) bill. …
Note: Since posting this review, the restaurant has closed. The first time I heard about burnt ramen at Nishiazabu Gogyo in Tokyo, Japan, I was intrigued. I knew I wanted to try their ramen but I was skeptical. How could anything that is burnt taste good? After reading endless reviews and watching YouTube videos about …
If you are looking for the spiciest ramen in Tokyo, Japan, you go to Karashibi Miso Ramen Kikanbo. At Kikanbo, fiery bowls of ramen are prepared with both chili pepper and Sichuan pepper, giving your mouth a burning, numbing sensation. While Japan might not be known for its spicy cuisine, if you are a lover …