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Showing posts with the label Japanese

JPN: ANA Lounge @ Narita International Airport

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How much do you like ANA's signature curry? I arrived at Narita International Airport early before my flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, giving myself enough time to stop by one of ANA's bigger flagship lounges for Business Class passengers. Besides the buffet spread, guests can also enjoy freshly prepared dishes from the noodle bar.
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JPN: Kagetsu (華月)

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A taste of Japan's most luxurious lobster! Since I was in Mie Prefecture, I couldn't pass up the chance to to try one of its culinary treasures:  ise ebi (Japanese spiny lobster). What makes it truly special isn't only its exquisite taste, but also the cultural significance it carries. In Toba City, Kagetsu is one of the restaurants where visitors can savour this celebrated seafood.
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JPN: Okunoya (奥野家)

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Trying Ise 'udon' for the first time! Welcome to another prefecture of Japan: Mie! Before heading to the revered Ise Grand Shrine, I stopped for lunch at Okunoya. It was there that I had the chance to sample not only Ise udon  (Japanese wheat flour noodle), but also Matsusaka beef, one of the top three varieties alongside Kobe and Omi beef.
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JPN: Nagoyaeki Access Hotel (ナゴヤエキ アクセスホテル) [Breakfast]

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Sweet and sour chicken with a confused identity... Back in Nagoya, I stayed at Nagoyaeki Access Hotel (3*) that's located just 300 m from Nagoya station. While the hotel doesn't offer buffet breakfast, guests who book a room with the breakfast plan get to choose from a small selection of set dishes. Rice, soup and drinks are available free-flow at the self-service corner to complement the meal.
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JPN: KU-DETA

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"Cheese Meat Mania!" While searching for a restaurant in Gifu City to satisfy my gyukatsu  (lit. beef cutlet) craving, I stumbled upon KU-DETA. Just a few minutes' walk away from JR Gifu station, this cozy eatery caters to not only meat lovers, but also fans of rich, cheesy dishes. Though I didn't drink during my afternoon visit, the restaurant also boasts a curated selection of wines and cocktails.
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JPN: Oraga Soba (おらが蕎麦)

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Moreish deep-fried chicken chunks atop a bed of cold 'soba'! Managed by Gourmet Kineya, Oraga Soba is a casual chain restaurant that prides itself in serving handmade soba (Japanese buckwheat noodle) at wallet-friendly prices. Besides offering a selection of hot and cold soba , the atmosphere shifts slightly in the evening with additional offerings like kushikatsu (Japanese deep-fried skewers) that pair nicely with drinks.
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JPN: Le Pont de Ciel

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A non-French restaurant atop Mount Kinka! Don't ask me why, but having a French name, Le Pont de Ciel (lit. The Sky Bridge) on top of Mount Kinka in Gifu City is a restaurant that serves Japanese cuisine. Surprisingly affordable given its offering of sweeping panoramic views of the city and beyond, the restaurant is a great spot to enjoy your lunch or tea break without breaking the bank.
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JPN: Sekai No Yamachan (世界の山ちゃん)

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Do their signature chicken wings live up to the hype? Yet another popular delicacy in Nagoya that one should not miss is deep-fried  tebasaki (lit. chicken wings). Since its humble beginnings in 1980 with only 13 seats, Sekai No Yamachan is a name that stands out among locals and visitors alike, offering delectable chicken wings with bold flavours.
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JPN: Hotel Park (ホテルパーク) [Dinner]

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Am I, or are you, as sweet as a sweetfish? After soaking myself in a hot bath, I donned my yukata , ready to enjoy the evening with kaiseki (Japanese multi-course meal) dinner that was a much a feast for the eyes as it was for the palate. It was an immersive journey through seasonal delights, truly a perfect end to a relaxing day in Gifu.
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JPN: Hotel Park (ホテルパーク) [Breakfast]

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Hearty breakfast in a tranquil setting! In Gifu, I stayed at Hotel Park (3*) somewhere along Nagara River. Its breakfast was a delightful way to start the day, offering a traditional Japanese set meal that reflected both balance and seasonality. Served in a peaceful dining area, it was a quiet indulgence that allowed me to appreciate the thoughtfulness behind each dish.
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JPN: Azuma Tei (東亭)

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A serendipitous find of homely food near the Great Buddha of Gifu! My first meal in Gifu Prefecture was at a quaint family-run restaurant for lunch. The warmth of the place, along with the kind gesture of the couple running the eatery, instantly made me feel at home. I didn't confirm with them, but my guess is that the restaurant is called Azuma Tei. Deciphering Japanese kanji characters can be very tricky since they often have multiple readings.
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JPN: Yabaton (矢場とん)

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First time having 'miso katsu'! Nagoya is renowned for miso katsu , a regional specialty of pork cutlet doused in dark sauce featuring hatcho miso , which is made of 100% soybeans, salt and water. Since its founding in 1947, Yabaton has played a major role in popularising the delicacy, expanding its reach beyond Aichi Prefecture to cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
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JPN: Hitsumabushi Bincho (ひつまぶし備長)

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What's your preferred way of enjoying 'hitsumabushi'? Happy Lunar New Year 2025! To wrap up the month, let's talk about hitsumabushi , a specialty of Nagoya featuring grilled unagi (Japanese freshwater eel) served over rice. While there are many restaurants in the city to enjoy the dish, I decided to join the queue at Hitsumabushi Bincho located along Kinshachi Yokocho near Nagoya Castle for lunch.
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JPN: Smile Hotel Nagoya Shinkansenguchi (スマイルホテル名古屋新幹線口) [Breakfast]

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Free-flowing 'unagi' for breakfast! Nagoya is the largest producer of  unagi  (Japanese freshwater eel) in Japan. For two mornings at the cozy Smile Hotel Nagoya Shinkansenguchi (3*), my BFF and I enjoyed unlimited servings of unagi . When else could we enjoy such an indulgent experience without burning a hole in our pockets?
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JPN: Wakashachiya (若鯱家)

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Heart-warming Nagoya curry udon! Headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, Wakashachiya is a restaurant chain known mainly for its curry udon (Japanese wheat flour noodle). My first memorable encounter was actually at its outlet inside The Central at Clarke Quay, which closed down many years ago. Naturally, I was thrilled to be reunited with it upon reaching Nagoya.
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SIN: Flipper's

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Pancake x  soufflé originated from Tokyo! Hailing from Japan, Flipper's is a chain café renowned for its fluffy, jiggly soufflé pancakes. While I've never had the chance to try the pancakes in its country of origin, I was excited to finally experience them at the Westgate branch here in Singapore, which has been drawing long lines of eager patrons.
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SIN: Yoshinoya

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Trying it again in Singapore after years! Yoshinoya is the second largest chain of gyudon (lit. beef bowl) restaurants in Japan. Although its first shop opened in Tokyo, the name of the chain actually pays homage to the former town of Yoshino in Osaka Prefecture where its founder hailed from. After years of giving Yoshinoya in Singapore a miss, I recently found myself revisiting one of its branches at Bugis Junction.
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COL: Wok

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Indulging in delicious Chinese noodle with 'wok hei'! You might think I'd dive straight into local food upon reaching Bogota, the capital city of Colombia. However, the very first thing that I had was actually Asian cuisine. Since 1998, Wok has taken pride in introducing a diverse range of Southeast and East Asian dishes, from the bold flavours of Indonesia to the refined delicacies of Japan.
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SIN: Ohayo Mama San

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Frequent offer: 50% off Japanese high tea! Describing itself as a gastrobar, Ohayo Mama San at 313@Somerset serves a delightful array Japanese and fusion dishes in a brightly lit setting with predominantly blue and orange tones. While I'd been there twice for dinner, particularly intrigued by its cocktail selections, I recently decided to try its Japanese high tea offering with a friend.
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SIN: Biseryu {CLOSED}

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Legit 'gyukatsu' in Singapore! UPDATE (11/01/2024):  The restaurant has closed down. I'd consider Biseryu in Far East Plaza at Orchard a hidden gem, a small restaurant showcasing dishes curated from eight distinct concept restaurants in Japan, such as ox tongue from Senri and fried chicken from Karamasa. What draws me to the establishment, however, is the premium gyukatsu : beef cutlet that's not so commonly found in Singapore.
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SIN: Singapore Airlines SQ392 (Premium Economy)

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Delicious Indonesian 'nasi uduk' with chili prawns! The middle of this year saw me doing a long-haul flight in the Premium Economy Class cabin of Singapore Airlines' Airbus 350-900 aircraft for the first time. In fact, it was also my first time flying directly to Istanbul, Turkey from Singapore. In general, I enjoyed the two meal services: supper and breakfast.
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JPN: Ekiben Tabi Bento (駅弁 旅弁当)

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Not a single visit to Japan without 'ekiben'! A portmanteau of eki (lit. station) and bento (Japanese meal box), ekiben  has long been an icon of Japanese culinary culture. I know the meal boxes are served at room temperature, but I'm always drawn to them, thanks in part to their exquisite presentation. My family bought some from Ekiben Tabi Bento situated within Kyoto station to savour them for lunch, not inside a train, but in the comfort of our hotel room.
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TWN: EVA Air BR226 (Economy)

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How about indulging in some tea-infused menu onboard? Let's start our trip to the Americas with an exploration of the in-flight food and beverages onboard EVA Air BR226 from Singapore to Taipei, Taiwan. Photos in the coming posts remain in a square format because, as mentioned earlier, I lost most of my photos and the only ones I've got left are those I've shared on my Instagram.
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