I Ate Like a Man in Tokyo (Tokyo Blog Post 1)

I wasn't expecting to visit Japan, especially Tokyo this soon. More than myself, it is really my husband and daughter who are die hard Japanese culture fanatics: two words--Kawaii and Anime.  

Japanese cuisine and Japanese films, however, are on top of my personal favorites. Lucky for me, I was given an opportunity to visit Japan at the right moment: Spring, which means the famous cherry blossoms are about to bloom! 

So, even before I got my Japanese visa (it can be quite tedious if you are from the Philippines) , I booked a room at The Westin in Meguro, booked my plane tickets and hoped and prayed that the visa will be granted. Two days before flying out, thank heavens, it finally came out. 

So, I flew out on a Monday, first flight out, without knowing what to expect--only that i will be well-fed. 

Arguably the most delicious waffles I have ever tasted in my life.
Imagine the soft layers literally melting in your mouth 

First stop, Narita Airport.  

I arrived at the airport around 1145 AM and had to go through the drill. Finally, when I was all set to go, I realized I missed the limousine bus schedule by 5 minutes so I had time to kill. I was famished. But, I have reservations about airport food. They are usually bad and overpriced. So, I proceeded to the 4F of the airport and randomly selected a place to eat. I selected it based on its facade. I didn't know what to order because there weren't proper translations but there were photos. So, I did what any self respecting traveller would do, I pointed to what I wanted to order. After around 15 minutes, the woman who took my order came out with this fantastic bowl of tuna on top of rice and I knew in my gut that this will be one gastronomic trip.

First meal in Japan. It was tuna (i think) on rice.. Ive never had pickles this sweet. 

Drunkard's Alley

This tunnel led me and my companion to the best sake i have ever tasted.
One which rolled like wine on the throat

Sample bar facade 

The sake that I was talking about. Anyone know what this is called?
We were billed 4,000 Yen for two glasses of this beauty.

Japanese munchies are really good 

Looks good right?

It was a very small bar with not more than 5 people who can fit in that room  

Small street aptly called Drunkard's Alley
(later found out this is actually called  Nonbei Yochoko)

For more information, check out this blog: Drunkards Alley

Genki Sushi  

Having no decent itinerary on where to eat and such, we just used trusty old Tripadvisor to suggest dinner on our first night. One of my colleagues had her family in tow and so, we cannot eat in any stand up ramen and sushi area. We decided to eat at Genki Sushi--a kaiten (conveyor belt) sushi place which is apparently always a blockbuster! Our group had to stay in line for more than 30 minutes just to get in. 

So upon entry, you are given a table number which you need to locate. You are also given a tablet with the same number as your table. You just need to punch it your orders and it gets delivered to you via the conveyor belt! 

Want to check out their menu? GENKI SUSHI MENU

This is how you order. Punch it and it gets delivered to your table via the conveyor belt.
So apparently this is how you oder your beer!

Kiosks that looks more like a computer rental 

Of course, can you not have mochi for dessert?

More information: Genki Sushi Website

Gonpanchi, Shibuya

a.k.a the "Kill Bill Restaurant"

First night of the workshop, our Japanese host Toshi invited us to Gonpanchi, a neat yakitori / izakaya restaurant located on the 14th floor of the Space Tower, with a fantastic Tokyo city view! Toshi ordered like crazy and we ate at the same rate as well. We had sushi, sashimi platters, cold soba and many other that I cannot personally recognize. So Toshi came out with the Japanese beer to food ration--you cannot eat more than your alcohol consumption, and I was just so glad to comply. 

They even have baby seats in the toilet! 

### (to be continued)