Brunch; Marutama
One of the main goals for our Japan trip was to try the original Marutama ramen! Initially, we planned it on the last day of the trip but we decided that it was too risky. If it did not open on that day, we would have missed our favourite ramen totally. Hence, we made some changes and decided to have our brunch at Marutama which is located in Ryogoku. Geographically, Ryogoku is very near our hotel but taking the metro to Ryogoku station is quite inconvenient because of the change of lines. In this case, taking the JR (¥140 per pax) is more straightforward as it is just a stop away. Once at Ryogoku, you can cross the road and walk a short distance to the outlet. Best to have google map here!
Look for a shop at the corner with a shop logo like a basketball. Marutama ramen is famous for its chicken tonkotsu soup base. As mentioned by our tour guide, most locals prefer lighter soup base like shoyu but Marutama is quite popular there. Locals were coming in one by one as we sat there having our meal. A sumo wrestler also patronized the store that day and ordered at least two refills of noodles.
We were not sure how to read the menu so we asked the shop owner which one is the spicy one. My guess is that the bowls are mostly the same, just a difference in ingredient preference. Just look at the generous amount of seaweed in our bowl! The overall quality and taste is similar to that in Singapore Central's outlet. The soup is rich, tasty, but spicier. The noodles are just as springy and the egg is as flavourful. The best part of Japan's Marutama is the pork cha siew! The one precious piece literally melts in your mouth. It is so tenderly soft, even the fats taste heavenly. It is the best Japanese cha siew I have eaten so far!
The price of the total meal was ¥2260 (two bowls of ramen and an onigiri) and it is similar to the Singapore's pricing. I am delighted that the quality is almost the same as Singapore because that means I can satisfy my craving anytime :D. This is with the exception of the unbelievably delicious cha siew, which is not found here.
We had Macdonald's (¥470) coffee and fries after that. Their black coffee is quite decent. Anyway, I visited a toilet that is located by the roadside near the JR station and it was also very clean! But as it is located outside, be warned of the cold air that you will feel at your butt (squat type toilet) 😅.
Meiji Shrine
We walked a short distance towards the metro station of Ryogoku and headed for Meiji Jingumae station, JR exit. Meiji Shrine is just behind the station's exit. Along the way, we visited the beautiful garden. For maintenance purposes, there was a fee of ¥500 per person to enter the garden. Again, visiting during a season when flowers bloom might be a better idea for those who prefer colours.
We reached the main shrine and rinsed our hands and mouth with the water from the basin to cleanse ourself. According to the instructions printed, you hold the dipper with your right hand and scoop up some water. Rinse your left hand, followed by your right. Pour some water onto your left hand to be used to rinse your mouth. Then, tip the dipper vertically so that the leftover water can rinse the dipper itself.
It is good to observe the behaviour of the people there and replicate their action. Before entering the Torii gate, one has to bow to show respect. During prayers, there is also a process of deep bowing and clapping. There are tables for visitors to write their wish on a letter to be placed in an envelope. You may put in some amount of money in the envelope to be placed in a designated box.
HARAJUKU
Meiji shrine is located just beside the Harajuku area, known for its fashion and shopping. What interest me more was the food! We had Gindaco's takoyaki (cheese and cod roe, ¥650) and croissant taiyaki (chocolate, ¥250). Initially, I was wondering how we were going to eat by the side because the wind would blow the bonito flakes away. Then, we saw the customers in front take the lift by the side and realized that there were seats upstairs.
I can definitely finish all the 8 takoballs myself because they are so delicious. Freshly made and piping hot, the outer crust is crispy and the inside is moist. Unlike the Hokkaido one, this does not have any marinated ginger inside (which is great). The cheese and cod roe sauce complements the whole savoury experience. As for the taiyaki, it is a wonderfully made alternative to the original. From its traditional form, it is transformed into a croissant alike delectable snack for those craving for a little sweetness.
Along the road, we tried this long potato with spicy sauce at Jbox food stand. It does have a unique selling point but I would say that the taste of the fries is average. It taste like potato powder more than the actual potato, and it is otherwise tasteless without the spicy sauce.
In a candy store, I tried my very first gumball! I was so fascinated! Put in a 100 yen coin and turn the knob, one gumball will drop down. I think I got a yellow one. It is rather big, and at the beginning, it was hard to chew. Initially, I thought it was just another capsule machine.
YES to another Disney store!
Look at the crowd at Takeshita Street! It was so full of energy and hype. That was our precious last night in Tokyo and we did our last minute shopping. Bought 5 boxes of Calbee potato chips home (¥3935) and that was too little! The Calbee bought in Japan is much crispier, and that is probably the reason why the shelf life is shorter. We each had a crunchy zakuzaku (¥250 each) that looks like churros filled with milk cream. I am not surprised that their queue seemed to be never ending. Yums.
SHIBUYA
When in Japan, one has to experience the Shibuya Crossing because it is quite fun! You can cross the road in all directions, which is such a time saver. With the polite culture of the Japanese, you will not be pushed along with the crowd. The night view is awesome!
All we did in Shibuya was walking around. We went into a Miniso, another Tokyu Hands, and yet another Daiso outlet. My favourite Daiso is everywhere <3. We stopped by this shop to try their beef skewers. The aroma of the flame grilled meat was making our stomachs growl :p. We ordered one stick of the premium kobe beef (¥1200 ;o) and one stick of the normal grade (¥500) and proceeded upstairs to have a seat.
The skewers smells so good! Watching my bf have the first bite and then provide his verdict was fun. His favourite. I cannot tell which is which from the picture but Kobe beef is definitely more tender and juicy. The price is worth it.
Dinner; Coco Ichibanya
Moments later, we were at Coco Ichibanya. We stood outside because the restaurant seemed full. A couple went in and I thought " Oh no, there goes our spot". Surprisingly, their lady staff called us in when there was space. She had noticed us and told the couple that we were there first!
In Japan, there is a choice between beef and pork curry. The pork one is the type you have in Singapore and the taste is similar. I had the crispy chicken with pork curry and it is yummy. The crispy chicken might be too little though. My bf had beef cutlet with beef curry. Beef cutlet is unique, but the beef flavour in the curry is too overwhelming. I don't think there was an option for the spice level of the curry. We were so stuffed after the meal (¥1731).
I also bought a beret (at ¥7000!) at the departmental store and got a cute hello kitty file during the tax refund process. I wonder when I will ever wear my expensive head accessory since Singapore is always tropical.
We had Macdonald's (¥470) coffee and fries after that. Their black coffee is quite decent. Anyway, I visited a toilet that is located by the roadside near the JR station and it was also very clean! But as it is located outside, be warned of the cold air that you will feel at your butt (squat type toilet) 😅.
Meiji Shrine
We walked a short distance towards the metro station of Ryogoku and headed for Meiji Jingumae station, JR exit. Meiji Shrine is just behind the station's exit. Along the way, we visited the beautiful garden. For maintenance purposes, there was a fee of ¥500 per person to enter the garden. Again, visiting during a season when flowers bloom might be a better idea for those who prefer colours.
We reached the main shrine and rinsed our hands and mouth with the water from the basin to cleanse ourself. According to the instructions printed, you hold the dipper with your right hand and scoop up some water. Rinse your left hand, followed by your right. Pour some water onto your left hand to be used to rinse your mouth. Then, tip the dipper vertically so that the leftover water can rinse the dipper itself.
It is good to observe the behaviour of the people there and replicate their action. Before entering the Torii gate, one has to bow to show respect. During prayers, there is also a process of deep bowing and clapping. There are tables for visitors to write their wish on a letter to be placed in an envelope. You may put in some amount of money in the envelope to be placed in a designated box.
HARAJUKU
Meiji shrine is located just beside the Harajuku area, known for its fashion and shopping. What interest me more was the food! We had Gindaco's takoyaki (cheese and cod roe, ¥650) and croissant taiyaki (chocolate, ¥250). Initially, I was wondering how we were going to eat by the side because the wind would blow the bonito flakes away. Then, we saw the customers in front take the lift by the side and realized that there were seats upstairs.
I can definitely finish all the 8 takoballs myself because they are so delicious. Freshly made and piping hot, the outer crust is crispy and the inside is moist. Unlike the Hokkaido one, this does not have any marinated ginger inside (which is great). The cheese and cod roe sauce complements the whole savoury experience. As for the taiyaki, it is a wonderfully made alternative to the original. From its traditional form, it is transformed into a croissant alike delectable snack for those craving for a little sweetness.
Along the road, we tried this long potato with spicy sauce at Jbox food stand. It does have a unique selling point but I would say that the taste of the fries is average. It taste like potato powder more than the actual potato, and it is otherwise tasteless without the spicy sauce.
In a candy store, I tried my very first gumball! I was so fascinated! Put in a 100 yen coin and turn the knob, one gumball will drop down. I think I got a yellow one. It is rather big, and at the beginning, it was hard to chew. Initially, I thought it was just another capsule machine.
YES to another Disney store!
Look at the crowd at Takeshita Street! It was so full of energy and hype. That was our precious last night in Tokyo and we did our last minute shopping. Bought 5 boxes of Calbee potato chips home (¥3935) and that was too little! The Calbee bought in Japan is much crispier, and that is probably the reason why the shelf life is shorter. We each had a crunchy zakuzaku (¥250 each) that looks like churros filled with milk cream. I am not surprised that their queue seemed to be never ending. Yums.
SHIBUYA
When in Japan, one has to experience the Shibuya Crossing because it is quite fun! You can cross the road in all directions, which is such a time saver. With the polite culture of the Japanese, you will not be pushed along with the crowd. The night view is awesome!
All we did in Shibuya was walking around. We went into a Miniso, another Tokyu Hands, and yet another Daiso outlet. My favourite Daiso is everywhere <3. We stopped by this shop to try their beef skewers. The aroma of the flame grilled meat was making our stomachs growl :p. We ordered one stick of the premium kobe beef (¥1200 ;o) and one stick of the normal grade (¥500) and proceeded upstairs to have a seat.
The skewers smells so good! Watching my bf have the first bite and then provide his verdict was fun. His favourite. I cannot tell which is which from the picture but Kobe beef is definitely more tender and juicy. The price is worth it.
Dinner; Coco Ichibanya
Moments later, we were at Coco Ichibanya. We stood outside because the restaurant seemed full. A couple went in and I thought " Oh no, there goes our spot". Surprisingly, their lady staff called us in when there was space. She had noticed us and told the couple that we were there first!
In Japan, there is a choice between beef and pork curry. The pork one is the type you have in Singapore and the taste is similar. I had the crispy chicken with pork curry and it is yummy. The crispy chicken might be too little though. My bf had beef cutlet with beef curry. Beef cutlet is unique, but the beef flavour in the curry is too overwhelming. I don't think there was an option for the spice level of the curry. We were so stuffed after the meal (¥1731).
I also bought a beret (at ¥7000!) at the departmental store and got a cute hello kitty file during the tax refund process. I wonder when I will ever wear my expensive head accessory since Singapore is always tropical.
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