Joanna James
If you are an ardent foodie, dreaming about the ultimate Japanese food fest, then nothing works better than jetting off to Tokyo for a treat. The city is home to a range of restaurants, food markets and street food stalls, demanding your undivided attention. Here are some of the best dishes to try.
An all-time favourite amongst Japanese food lovers, one can either love or hate sushi; really there is no 'maybe' involved in this delicacy. In Tokyo, one is treated to the freshest sushi varieties, and there is a lot to choose from. Sushi is not just about the best seafood or meat, it is also about the quality of the vinegar used to flavour the rice, and Tokyo has some exemplary restaurants, which have perfected the art of great tasting sushi. So, go ahead and book one of those centrally located Tokyo serviced apartments and start your sushi trails, chopsticks in hand (though chopsticks are also provided at dining venues too!). If you choose to stay at Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo or similar properties, then check out the bevy of fine restaurants in the area, serving some of the best sushi in Tokyo.
Sashimi is a simple enough dish, after all, it's merely a slice of fresh fish or meat, but the art of eating sashimi has a lot to do with enjoying the meal. In Tokyo, you can eat your sashimi with a dab of wasabi smeared on the slice, which is then dipped in soy sauce. Let the flavours tantalize your taste-buds for a while before you swallow. You should inhale the delicate aroma of your sashimi before eating it, this is thought to enhance your experience, by treating your senses to the fresh smell.
Everyone loves Ramen, and no foodie is worth his or her salt if they have not experienced a good bowl of Ramen Tokyo style. The dish sits right up front with the favourites, such as pizza, burgers and bacon, and must be taken seriously. While instant Ramen noodle soup is available across the country, one should sit down to a bowl of authentic Ramen, prepared the traditional way. The preparation process is a part of traditional culture, and a good broth, the staple ingredient, can take from 24 to 48 hours to prepare.
Pork and panko bread crumbs create this golden feast; for the dish is merely a pork cutlet coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown. But, this is not your run of the mill, fried pork cutlet, it's much more than that, for a traditional Tonkatsu will treat your taste buds to a crispy exterior and very juicy pork cutlet inside. It's not oily, despite being deep-fried, is fresh juicy and bursting with flavours; predominant is the pounded sesame seeds which lend a nutty aroma to the meal. Tonkatsu is accompanied by rice, shredded cabbage and miso soup.
When visiting Tokyo over winter, one cannot forgo a warm dish of sukiyaki. The dish is created differently across Japan, and in Tokyo, a traditional sukiyaki is prepared by making the broth with mirin, brown sugar, sake and soy sauce. The rest of the ingredients are then stewed in this rather salty and sweet broth, while the beef is dipped in raw egg. Sukiyaki epitomises Japanese culture and is best enjoyed at a restaurant offering kimono-clad chefs and patronesses.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
