Everyone here knows that’s not melted cheese. As the harvest moon rises over Tokyo, you know it’s once again time to top all kinds of food with a raw egg to pay homage to Lady Luna. Usually this manifests as a raw egg swimming around on top of your bowl of noodles (which you loudlyContinueContinue reading “It’s moonburger season!”
Category Archives: Food
In Japan, you’re never too young to…
Seen at Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara think of chickens as walking yakitori. If you’ve never had the pleasure of overhearing what Japanese people talk about at the aquarium, it may come as a surprise that when they see a chicken, the first thing they think isn’t “Ooo, colorful feathers!” but “Yum, skewered and grilled withContinueContinue reading “In Japan, you’re never too young to…”
If you think box wine is bad, wait ’til you try box whisky!
Seen at my local Aeon If you didn’t think there were new depths to be plumbed on the way to getting hammered as cheaply as possible, I’ve got two words for you: box whisky. Some beleaguered marketing exec obviously consulted their Japanese-English dictionary and tried to swank up their bottom-of-the-barrel brand by calling it “Snazz,”ContinueContinue reading “If you think box wine is bad, wait ’til you try box whisky!”
Why is there corn on my…
Japan isn’t a land where it’s understood what an abomination it is to eat corn if it’s a) not the cob, b) dripping with butter, and c) being served any time of year that’s not summer. In fact, the question that arises every single time I enter a Japanese supermarket or convenience store is… WHYContinueContinue reading “Why is there corn on my…”
Tube food
A wander through any grocery store in Japan will quickly persuade you that putting something in a tube shouldn’t be confined to toothpaste, hand cream, and athlete’s foot cures. Plenty of foods are best served squeezed! If you subscribe to Japanagram (my free deeper dive into all things only-in-Japan), you’ll already have drooled over theContinueContinue reading “Tube food”
Donuts filled with crazy Japanese flavors
Japan is obviously not the birthplace of fried dough, but like so many “foreign” foods that make their way to these shores, the J-take on donuts is both foreign and completely Japanese at the very same time. And these cream-filled beauties from Abebe Bakery’s Tokyo outpost come through not just one alien land, but two,ContinueContinue reading “Donuts filled with crazy Japanese flavors”
I did not expect what’s beneath this strangely huge pop top…
Lemon Sours are the most classic of the fruity canned cocktails most Japanese have less-than-fond teenage memories of overindulging in, so I didn’t expect innovation to strike at the very training wheels of alcohol prowess. What stopped me at the splashy grocery store display wasn’t the snappy new package design, it was the weirdly hugeContinueContinue reading “I did not expect what’s beneath this strangely huge pop top…”
Taste Test: Japanese No-Alcohol Beer Smackdown
It’s been a few years since I did a taste test on Japanese no-alcohol beers, and now that so many people are opting to get buff instead of blotto, I thought it might be time for a rematch! Last time, they were more like the food stand-ins that stylists use for photo shoots: looks likeContinueContinue reading “Taste Test: Japanese No-Alcohol Beer Smackdown”
Weird Japanese burger sighting: The Big Mac (and Cheese)!
It’s been a while since I spotted a Japanese burger worthy of sharing, but even I had to stop and laugh when I saw THIS: And lest you be tempted to give it points for at least being plant-based, there really is a big old burger o’ beef beating at the heart of that cheesyContinueContinue reading “Weird Japanese burger sighting: The Big Mac (and Cheese)!”
Japan’s most iconic sweets, but make them Italian
What fresh hell is this international mash-up? The most iconic Japanese sweets stuffed with cherry tomatoes and basil? Next they’ll be trying to sell us tomato-basil flavored donuts… • If you could use more weird food combinations in your life… •
What the heckin’ heck kind of burger comes on a green bun?
A vegan one, of course! The most venerable of Japanese burger chains has just introduced an all-plant-based burger, and all your friends can tell you opted for the planet-saving version because it comes on a spinach-tinted bun. And if that isn’t green enough to float your inner leprechaun boat, the soy and mushroom patty isContinueContinue reading “What the heckin’ heck kind of burger comes on a green bun?”
What ingredient do you think THIS Japanese restaurant is famous for?
Nope, not tofu. If you guessed GLUTEN, you win the prize! Wait…what? Gluten? Yes, at Fumuroya, not only is the savory, marshmallow-like goodie known as fū prepared in surprising and satisfying ways, the 9-course lunch set I ate with friends was so good, I sneaked back by myself to try it again! If this isContinueContinue reading “What ingredient do you think THIS Japanese restaurant is famous for?”
The Giant Bag o’ Rice Vending Machine
Find yourself in dire need of ten kilos of rice late at night, when the stores are all closed? Fret not, Japan’s got you covered. •
Epic Japanese Cake Show: Part 1
No Japanese apartment comes equipped with an oven. That shocked me, until I stopped to think about it, and realized not a single traditional Japanese dish requires baking. Which doesn’t keep them from being some of the most skilled bakers in the world. Like the fiber artists of the Tokyo International Quilt Festival, the pastryContinueContinue reading “Epic Japanese Cake Show: Part 1”
This Does Not Make Me Want To Eat That Cheesecake
From the Tokyo bakery that has been indicted for misusing the Universal Garnish on previous occasions comes this inexplicable frippery. I had to press my nose right up against the glass to figure out that this cheesecake is decorated with… …shriveled grapes and pine needles? •
Guess that flavor, J-style
Most Japanese people hate the taste of root beer (WHY?) so if it’s a hella hot day in Tokyo and you’re craving a root beer float, a soda topped with soft serve (and blasphemously adulterated with ice cubes) is about as close as you’re going to get. But how close is it? Well… The blueContinueContinue reading “Guess that flavor, J-style”
Cutest Curry Rice Molds On The Planet
I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to Japanese curry rice molds, but these two cuties redefine ADORABLE. The only problem is that it comes in both cat and panda, and it’s too hard to decide (would it be greedy to get both? SHUT UP) Found these at the Don Kihote in ShibuyaContinueContinue reading “Cutest Curry Rice Molds On The Planet”
One Fried Noodle Sandwich, Please
From the land that junk food shame forgot, this. A yakisoba sandwich is basically the Japanese equivalent of cold pizza for breakfast, on a bun. This is what frugal Japanese fry up for breakfast if one of their fridge leftovers happens to be noodles, so it was rare to find this homely item for saleContinueContinue reading “One Fried Noodle Sandwich, Please”
Tokyo Cake Show: So Gorgeous, So Japanese
How can you tell a professional baking conference is in Tokyo? Because among the fantasy wedding cakes, there’s a Shinto shrine wedding, complete with marzipan bride and groom. From the roof tiles, to the torii gate tunnel, it’s pretty clear that this loving couple isn’t getting married in Winchester Cathedral That pink cake is 100%ContinueContinue reading “Tokyo Cake Show: So Gorgeous, So Japanese”
Crispy Intestine Snacks
Despite the fact that this new snack is called “Addictive Intestines,” I’m afraid you won’t find me bingeing a bucket ‘o crispy innards while Netflixing my way through a Saturday night, even though they boast not just one, but two kinds of squicky bits. They do make it easy to pick through the mix forContinueContinue reading “Crispy Intestine Snacks”
Soft Drink Flavors I Do Not Want To Try
In the scraping-the-bottom-of-the-flavor-idea-barrel sweepstakes, a clear winner. As if banana-flavored soda isn’t nauseating enough, they paired it with that nasty sour-milk yogurt flavor for good measure This yogurt-banana mash-up surfs in on the enduring popularity of the local favorite soft drink, Calpis, which inexplicably established sweetened sour milk as a delightful flavor in Japan. InContinueContinue reading “Soft Drink Flavors I Do Not Want To Try”
Spot The Elvis
If you’re looking for a country with absolutely zero junk food guilt, you found it. Behold the bagel sandwiches available at this shop I spotted while walking through Azabu Juban last week. Yes, in addition to the Elvis (#15: peanut butter/bacon/banana) they also offer The Rainbow Colored (#20), which features a multi-colored bagel filled withContinueContinue reading “Spot The Elvis”
Please Tell Me That’s Not Seaweed On My Ice Cream
The sticky rice balls I can handle. I could even get into the slightly gelatinous, traditional mitarashi topping that gets its brown from, uh, soy sauce. But I draw the line at nori. Yes, those suspicious-looking little black things on top are KILL ME NOW strips of the same kind of seaweed that holds your tuna roll together. AndContinueContinue reading “Please Tell Me That’s Not Seaweed On My Ice Cream”
The Slippery Slope, Illustrated
See, this is where tolerance will get you. Let them get away with putting ginger pickles and fish shavings on pizza, say nothing when your spaghetti comes topped with sea urchin eggs, and next thing you know, you’ll be waking up to every child’s worst nightmare: SPINACH PANCAKES. Let’s zoom in on that serving suggestion for aContinueContinue reading “The Slippery Slope, Illustrated”
Death By Food Stylist
Is it just me, or does this omelet kind of look like it was on the losing side at the Battle of Sekigahara? •
Japanese Food Styling Gone Wrong
Okay, as you know, I’ve long been fascinated with Japanese menu depictions of hot dogs, because they can’t seem to resist making them look a little, er, over-eager. But don’t you agree that these take hot dog styling to a whole new level? I mean, how do you even EAT these? They look like scale models forContinueContinue reading “Japanese Food Styling Gone Wrong”
Twice The Guilt, Half The Pleasure
What’s wrong with this picture? Okay, I totally get that some days it’s hard to choose between a bucket of french fries and a bathtub of ice cream. I even understand that some days you just say FML, I’m having BOTH. But this? No. Just…no. •
It Must Be Fake Peach Flavor Season Again
The vending machines are suddenly stuffed with pink drinks. Of course, there hasn’t been a genuine fuzzy-skinned stone fruit within a thousand kilometers of these so-called “peach” libations, but that doesn’t stop them from making the point that even drinks flavored with highly unnatural chemicals must only appear when they’re “in season” in Japan. •
Pink Pepper Milk Coffee
In case a shot of caffeine isn’t quite enough to get you going in the morning… (If you’re braver than I am, you can find it this month at your nearest Precious Coffee Moments shop.) •
How About A Nice Cup Of Civet Poop Coffee?
Yes, I know this rare and elusive cat-snake lives in Bali, but because Japan is the world magnet for weird food experiences, the only place I’ve ever discovered a shop where I could order a cup of civet poop coffee is in Tokyo. The kopi luwat civet poops coffee. Or, to be more precise, it climbsContinueContinue reading “How About A Nice Cup Of Civet Poop Coffee?”
What’s Purple And Squishy And Tastes Like Thanksgiving?
This time of year, if it’s sweet and purple, it tastes like…WAT? Yes, sweet potato candy (and muffins and ice cream) is a THING, and anything that’s purple in Japan right now tastes kind of like Thanksgiving without the marshmallows. Let’s sidestep the impossible task of pondering why anyone would make desserts that taste like sweet potatoesContinueContinue reading “What’s Purple And Squishy And Tastes Like Thanksgiving?”
Not An Expert On Chicken Anatomy, But…
…where exactly did Mos Burger find a chicken part that looks like THIS? •
The Triple-Decker Noodle Burger
Just when you thought America had cornered the market when it came to eating ALL the carbs, Japanese burger chain Loteria one-ups the red-white-‘n-blue with this tri-deck noodle monster. Yes, it’s that carbo-load favorite, noodles on a bun. Times three. Enjoy. •
Pikachu Fishcakes!
Collect ’em all! Trade ’em with your friends! Never thought I’d be using the words “squeee!” and “fishcake” in the same sentence, but…! •
Hot Springs Latte Art
It was a rainy autumn morning in the mountains of Gunma, but I didn’t care because I’d just spent a half hour soaking in punishingly hot mineral water at a Japanese inn and was sitting in front of an extra-strong coffee with the hot springs mark drawn in the foam! Here’s how you know you’re in hot spring territory! •
The Universal Garnish Strikes Again
All my life, I knew my coffee was missing something… Yes, it’s Honey Caffé Latte with…PARSLEY. •
Spicy Tomato Filled Doughnuts?
Aieeeee, when I saw this on the menu at Krispy Kreme, I knew I’d have to strap on my Try Anything Once Cojones and take one for the team! My first clue this wasn’t a regular doughnut was that funny little pesto-tomato hat on top. Inside was, basically, a sort of sweet pizza sauce. IContinueContinue reading “Spicy Tomato Filled Doughnuts?”
Yes, Even The Cheese Is Black
I finally tried Burger King Japan’s most recent all-black, all-the-time burger offering, and OMG please don’t look now, but I wolfed it down in record time. It looks pretty weird (especially the BLACK CHEESE) but the taste was I-think-I’d-better-have-another-in-the-interest-of-science good. “Shalyapin Sauce”? Apparently it’s named after a Russian opera singer who had a toothache when he toured Japan, soContinueContinue reading “Yes, Even The Cheese Is Black”
Chocolate, Strawberry and…Bean Powder?
Okay, buckaroos, it’s time to play Guess That Flavor with these cones of soft-serve goodness I spotted recently in Asakusa! Our first contestants are the lovely blue ice cream on the left, and the tasty-looking coffee-colored one on the right. (Wily contestants will recognize that’s a hint it definitely doesn’t taste like a cup o’ Joe!) Next up, that delightfully vanilla-ish-lookingContinueContinue reading “Chocolate, Strawberry and…Bean Powder?”
When I Said I Wanted Cheese Pizza, I Didn’t Mean THAT Kind Of Cheese!
I thought I’d seen the pinnacle of Unclear On The Concept when wedges of Camembert started showing up on Japanese pizza, but that was before I spotted this one topped with, yes, blue cheese. Mmm, mmm, little veins of smelly melted moldy bits, paired with tomatoes and that perennial Italian favorite, broccoli. •
I’ll See Your Triple Burger And Raise You A Shrimp Puck
What is Lotteria thinking? Seriously, how could you even bite that thing? I’m not talking about the triple-decker beef-o-rama – I’m eyeing that fried shrimp tower-o-power with the shovelful of tartar sauce just waiting to squish out the other side and all over your shoes (and your socks and your pants and, basically, the shoes of anyone standing within aContinueContinue reading “I’ll See Your Triple Burger And Raise You A Shrimp Puck”
Veggie Ice Cream?!
From the land of snacks with tentacles and fish bone crackers comes the latest healthy food disguised as a snack: carrot and tomato ice cream! Haagen-Dazs Japan hit the subways with a “secret” poster campaign this month, introducing the latest way for even the most dedicated junk food addict to get some stealth vegetables. The carrot one is mixed withContinueContinue reading “Veggie Ice Cream?!”
Blue Caffe Latte
Coffee + Milk + BLUE CURACAO? With a LIME on top? I’m still gathering the courage to try the latest entry in this season’s unlikely flavor-combo coffee drinks of Tokyo – partly because I’m frightened of any food that’s BLUE, but also am deeply suspicious of anything I have to google to find out what flavor it is.ContinueContinue reading “Blue Caffe Latte”
Cinnamon Roll Blasphemy
In the next round of trade talks with Japan, go ahead and give away the store when it comes to cars, beef and rice, but we need to make one thing perfectly clear: Things That Look Like Cinnamon Rolls Should Not Be Filled With Red Beans And Topped With Green Tea Frosting. •
World’s Worst Popsicle
If spaghetti-flavored ice on a stick isn’t the world’s worst idea for a snack, I don’t know what is. But, in an act of supreme self-sacrifice, I tried it, so you don’t have to! Supposedly, the “Napolitan Rich” Gari-Gari contains pockets of tomato jelly, but I was unable to detect them in the short time the instantly-regretted biteContinueContinue reading “World’s Worst Popsicle”
So, What DO Cherry Blossoms Taste Like?
Around cherry blossom season in Japan, the shelves suddenly fill with “sakura”-flavored food. But what does cherry blossom-flavored food actually taste like? I investigate. Cherry blossoms taste like…mini-shrimp potato chips. Cherry blossoms taste like…plum-flavored whisky & soda. Cherry blossoms taste like…pinkish berry combo gel and vanilla ice cream. Cherry blossoms taste like…potato chips sprinkled with groundContinueContinue reading “So, What DO Cherry Blossoms Taste Like?”
Cherry Blossom Flavored Ice Cream
Naturally, it being the Pink Season, all things must be as one with the almighty sakura. Including…ice cream. And what does this marvel of food engineering taste like? Hmm, good question. Fortunately, they did not try to reproduce the taste of traditional Japanese sakura sweets, which are sweet rice cakes jarringly wrapped in salty pickled cherry leaves. Usually I’mContinueContinue reading “Cherry Blossom Flavored Ice Cream”
Where To Get The Best Cup Of Coffee In The Whole World
Best. Coffee. In. The. World. You’re lookin’ at it. Let me ask you this: how often can you get something that’s the best in the world for less than ten bucks? Because today – score! – I had the BEST COFFEE IN THE WORLD for ¥700. It was at a little timeslip of a coffeeContinueContinue reading “Where To Get The Best Cup Of Coffee In The Whole World”
Beer Engineering
Better than a cherry on top. Three to seven. That’s the ideal ratio of foamy head to actual beer, according to the experts at the Ebisu Brewery. And how do you achieve this perfect glass of brewski? Well, first, you have to be drinking Ebisu, which is engineered to deliver that perfect ratio, every time. ButContinueContinue reading “Beer Engineering”
Wait, Seriously, You Can Eat That?!
In case you were wondering if there is such a thing as too much information, take a look-see at this handy chart I spotted recently, hanging outside a “Don’t Waste Anything!” restaurant in Tokyo. Although at first glance it looks like a biology quiz, when you discover it’s a diagram of where all the meatsContinueContinue reading “Wait, Seriously, You Can Eat That?!”
Only In Japan 