The One about the Blue Bottle Coffee Aoyama location in Minato

In the early 2000’s, W. James Freeman founded Blue Bottle Coffee in Oakland, California.  The name was inspired by one of Europe’s first cafe, The Blue Bottle Coffee House. Freeman’s original intention for Blue Bottle Coffee was to roast coffee in small batches and sell Read More …

The One about Fish Coop Stand at Commune 2nd in Minato

It was a cold, windy day and left Omotesando to meet friends near Minamiaoyama in Minato (just across the street) and what best than to grab a quick bite to eat at the Fish Coop Stand located at Commune 2nd. I have written about the Read More …

The One about Boulangerie Patisserie BRASSERIE VIRON

Japan is a country that no doubt has love for French bakeries and while the bubble economy had its fair share of Tokyo cafe-brasseries, the 2000’s are starting to see a resurgence from patisserie to French chocolatiers growing in numbers throughout Japan.  But one company Read More …

The One about ESSE DUE IL Binario in Haneda Airport

ESSE DUE is a pizzeria that was founded over two decades in Akasaka. Focusing on Napoli pizza style showcasing Margherita to various original pizzas, ESSE DUE has opened up restaurants in Hakata and in Tokyo’s Ota ward at Haneda Airport. While the Akasaka restaurant is Read More …

The One about Doughnut Plant New York City in Shirogane

Doughnut Plant has been a fixture in New York City and Tokyo. With four shops in New York and three in Tokyo, Doughnut Plant is one of the more notable American-based doughnut shops that have thrived in Tokyo and has gained a wonderful reputation thanks Read More …

The One about Dominique Ansel Bakery in Omotesando

French-born pastry chef, Dominique Ansel is no doubt a well-known name for pastry fans. He is the owner of Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City back in 2011 and started the cronut craze in 2013.  So popular that people were paying $20-$40 for a Read More …

The One about Revisiting Rainbow Pancake in Harajuku

I have written about Rainbow Pancake before and how busy the location was, the lines going to the popular restaurant but also how delicious and fluffy the pancakes were. But I felt I needed to revisit the location and give a more thorough review.  Because Read More …

The One about Marutake Tamagoyaki at Tsukiji Fish Market

I have written about tamagoyaki in Tsukiji back in 2016, but this time I want to spotlight one of the more popular establishments in the area, Marutake Tamagoyaki. Marutake has been around for over 80 years (founded in the late Taisho period) and has always Read More …

The One about Onigiriya Marutoyo in Tsukiji Fish Market

A lot of people ask me if I recommend one place in Tsukiji Fish Market, I can easily say that anywhere in Tsukiji, you’ll get great breakfast sushi. But is there a place that I go to Tsukiji for and has been a ritual for Read More …

The One about Eating Kobe Beef at Kobe Tanryu Ikutashinmichi ten

One of cuisine-related things I had on my bucket list was to one day eat Kobe beef in Kobe. The thing is, all over Japan, there are many places that say they offer “Kobe Beef”. May it be in burgers or steak and sell it Read More …

The One about the Tohoshinki (TVXQ) Begin Again Cafe in Tokyo

While I was in Japan, I had a chance to check out Tohoshinki’s “Begin After Cafe” at the Ikebukuro Parco, while also seeing the setup for the duo’s concert that would be at Tokyo Dome. Because of their “TOHOSHINKI LIVE TOUR 2017 -Begin Again-” in Read More …

The One about Japanese Love for KFC on Christmas

In Japan, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is huge! Sure, in America, we have watched the corny KFC commercials of comedians dressed up as Colonel Sanders and we have grown up with the “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan and the restaurant is more or less a fast Read More …