5 Days In Japan: Day 4 Food

This is the fourth in a series of 5 posts this week focusing on Japan. The topics will be in this order, Travel, Temples, Skyline, Food and Crypto.

Most people know food in Japan is some of the best in the world. Not only in flavor, but in quality and presentation. There is even a 5th taste discovered by the Japanese known as "Umami". Understanding all of this will help you also understand why there are more Michelin Star restaurants in Tokyo than any other city on Earth. Japanese love food!

In this installment I’m going to take you around to some of my favorite eateries in Tokyo. Let’s go!

Jiromaru

Jiromaru located in Shinjuku is a counter Yaki-Niku restaurant. Reminiscent of a sushi bar, except you cook the meat and vegetables in front of you.

What makes Jiromaru special is the quality of beef they serve. A-4 & A-5 wagyu. The highest grades of beef. A slice of the best will run about $3-$4, but the flavor and memory of eating it is very much worth the price.

Another great feature of Jiro Maru is, like a sushi shop, you order by the piece, as you go. They do have pork, vegetables, rice and beer so you can eat some high quality beef, then save some money by eating lesser foods.

Jiromaru is located in Shinjuku off the JR Yamanote line. The address is 1 Chome-26-3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0021

The Crazy Garlic

Next up is The Crazy Garlic, a restaurant in Ikebukuro I only recently discovered. It really lives up to it's name. The cuisine is Italian and loaded with garlic. If you are a garlic fan this place is heaven. From the mega, garlic covered baguette, to the garlic caesar salad to the delicious garlic steak.

They also make a special garlic jelly pizza. I was hesitant to try it as sweet garlic just doesn't sound good. My hunch was right, while the pizza was delicious, the sweet garlic jelly didn't blend well in my opinion. Having said that, my pallet isn't very sophisticated so you still may want to give it a try.

The Crazy Garlic is located in Ikkebukuro off the JR Yamanote line. The address is Minamiikebukuro Toshima Tokyo 東京都 豊島区 南池袋 1-23-1

Kisoji

Then there is Kisoji, the restaurant my wife’s uncle treats us to every month or two. This place also serves up wagyu in three categories, expensive, more expensive, and make sure you aren’t footing the bill expensive. While occasionally he has treated us to the most expensive, we usually request the mid level beef. While expensive, it’s well worth it. It’s some of the best beef you will taste.

You have the option to cook it either Shaun-shabu or Suki-yaki style. I prefer the shabu-shabu method. It’s lighter and dipping it into the ponzu sauce is blissful. Not to say the suki-yaki isn’t delicious, it is, but it’s heavier and harder to finish with room left over for desert.

Desert is ice cream. Americans would think it’s a bit of a cheap desert, but this ice cream is amazing. Vanilla, matcha or seasonal sakura. The latter was brilliant. We couldn’t quit put our finger on what the flavors was, a mixture of some berries for sure with a hint of coconut. It was amazing!

Kisoji is a chain restaurant with locations around Tokyo.

Tacos Shop

Tacos in Kichijoji! Finally Japan is falling in love with Mexican food. In true Japanese fashion they study it and then master it.

Mr. Kondo is the owner and makes his mole, tortillas and marinated pork all from scratch! It really comes through in the taste too. These tacos will rival even the best So. Cal and dare I say Mexican street tacos! They are cheap at only $3 each and you will eat more than one I guarantee.

Taco's Shop is located in Kichijoji off the JR Chuo Line. The address is 1 Chome-1 Kichijoji Honcho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-0004

Good Barbecue

Go big or go home. That should be the motto of Good Barbecue. The cuts of meat are big and the burgers are big. It's a new trend in Tokyo and I like it!

Good Barbecue is reminiscent of buffets in the US where you can get thick slices of various types of meat. The meat here is bbq, but not overloaded with sauces. The meat is slightly flavored, unlike it's American counterparts.

If you are on a smaller budget they also have a great selection of burgers. The one I had was an Angus Beef topped with Angus Roast beef smothered with mustard sauce. This burger is reason enough to visit. It was one of the best burgers I've ever had.

In addition to the Angus Burger they have several other burgers with delicious toppings. If you are in Shibuya, check this place out next door in under Naka-Meguro station!

Good Barbecue is located in Meguro off the Tokyu line. The address is 1 Chome-22-12 Kamimeguro, Meguro, Tokyo 153-0051

There is a lot of food and a lot of restaurants I didn't cover, but these are a few that I recommend if you are ever in the city. Be sure to check their menus before visiting though because most can set you back about $100 for two people.

In case you missed the first three days of this series they are here:

Day 1 - Hanami

Day 2 - Temples

Day 3 - Skyline

As always, thanks for reading, commenting and upvoting!