Where to begin… the first memory that pops up is the impeccable kaiseki multi-course Japanese traditional feast that’s served in-room at the Iwaso ryokan on Miyajima. My rather fussy mum came along for the ride on that particular trip and savoured every morsel except the steamed tofu (you haven’t tried tofu until you’ve been to Japan, but let’s save that for a blog post..)
I’d recommend everyone try a ryokan kaiseki at least once in their trip, right after a soak in an onsen (hot spring bath) works a treat. But JapanMan’s gastronomic adventure doesn’t stop there. Over the years I’ve eaten everywhere from pit-stop fast food chains like Yoshinoya to exclusive sushi bars, and no – Jiro’s Sukiyabashi isn’t on my shortlist…
… instead, I’d recommend his son Takashi’s sushi bar in Roppongi Hills tower. Father and son had a falling out and Takashi branched out on his own, creating a frankly much more foreigner-friendly restaurant right in the heart of Tokyo’s nightlife. The great thing about Roppongi Hills is that it houses Mori Art Museum on the 53rd floor, the panoramic nightscape of the Moon bar on the 52nd floor, and Takashi’s restaurant amongst others…
… but if it’s a hangry chow down that you’re looking for after a whole day exploring Japan, it has to be tonkotsu ramen. Pork bone broth soup with generous chasshu (pork slices), hanjuku (half-boiled egg), negi (spring onions) and of course noodles – you can usually specific usoi (thin) or futoi (thick). It’s is the single most satisfying pit-stop meal ever. In my opinion, of course…
If you’re vegetarian then this page may not have quite filled you with delight but fear not, there are washoku traditional zen Buddhist restaurants dotted about Japan and there are even some dedicated vegetarian venues in Japan today….