Bento Japan restaurant guide

Long counter

Ceviche in a glass bowl

Tripe stew in a metal pan

Muy's dramatically lit bar is an impressive sight, stretching half a city block and offering a stunning nighttime view. The atmosphere is lively but not too noisy to impede conversation, and prices are quite reasonable.

rev.bentojp.com/muy
#tokyo #fideua #ceviche #sherry #ibericoham

Cinnamon Garden: Yotsuya

If you're familiar with Japanese spice curry shops, the dishes at Cinnamon Garden will look and taste familiar, as spice curry is strongly influenced by Sri Lankan food. The spices are from the chef's mother, who lives in Sri Lanka, and the resulting flavors are rich and deep. #tokyo #spicecurry

Daps Famous Hood Joint: Kinshicho

The #choppedcheese sandwich is a New York bodega classic, a hearty assemblage of ground beef, onions, peppers, American cheese, and adobo seasoning, chopped and mixed on the grill, then served on a hero roll. It's an outstanding sandwich, and it's the main draw at this tiny #tokyo take-out shop.

Carvaan Beer Stop: Shibuya

"One of the Carvaan's goals is to recreate interesting historical beers from past centuries, so the selection here is a bit out of the ordinary. The brewery's award-winning brews like Andes Cacao Stout, Arabian Lime Ale, Heath IPA, and African Vanilla Porter are served on a rotating basis." #tokyo

cheeseburger, waffle fries

dining room

seating area

Central Burger Shop in Yokohama's Motomachi district serves great smash burgers, burritos (Baja fish, "smash beef"), quesadillas, and shakes in vanilla, banana, berry, Nutella and peanut-butter flavors.

rev.bento.com/centralburger
#yokohama #smashburger #japantravel #foodsky #青空ごはん部

nighttime view of tokyo from the counter

ceviche in a big glass bowl

tripe stew with beans

New at Bento - Muy's dramatically lit bar is an impressive sight, stretching half a city block and offering a stunning nighttime view. The atmosphere is lively but not too noisy to impede conversation, and prices are quite reasonable.

rev.bento.com/muy

#tokyo #muytokyo #ceviche #sherry

(2/2) Despite the serious-looking setting, it's a comfortable spot to enjoy a leisurely coffee break, a bit removed from Shimo-Kitazawa's busy shopping zone.

#tokyo #japantravel #shimokitazawa #ogawacoffee #coffee #roastery

rev.bento.com/ogawa

(1/2) Not merely a coffee shop, Ogawa Coffee Laboratory in Shimo-Kitazawa is an "Experience-based Bean Salon"! Consult the knowledgeable staff or study the detailed tasting charts as you select from the 19 blends and single-origin beans on offer.
☕ #tokyo #shimokitazawa
rev.bento.com/ogawa

Open Air Kobe Motomachi: Motomachi

Travel report - Kobe brewery Open Air serves twelve of their beers on tap along with gyoza and grilled meats at their central Motomachi taproom.

#kobe #craftbeer #japantravel #openairbrewing
rev.bento.com/openair

Lil Woody's: Shibuya

Top-quality ingredients, including super-crispy bacon, set Seattle-based cult favorite Lil Woody's apart from its Shibuya burger competitors. Other toppings include Tillamook cheddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese, raw onions, caramelized onions, pickled figs and roast chiles.

#tokyo #shibuya 🍜

British Shop, The: Shibuya

One of the many international grocers bringing a taste of home to Tokyo's various immigrant populations, The British Shop stocks English cheeses, Scottish smoked salmon, Cumberland pork sausages and Savoursmiths crisps. There's a wide range of teas as well as craft beers and ciders.
#tokyo #beans

Verve is THE gourmet coffee destination if you're visiting Yebisu Garden Place, with a range of single-origin pour-over coffees and espresso beverages as well as pastries and grilled-cheese sandwiches. Ample outdoor seating overlooks YGB's archway.

#tokyo #ebisu #coffee #青空ごはん部
tinyurl.com/b-verve

RistoPizza: Kamiyacho

"The most popular menu item seems to be the star-shaped Don Salvo, and it's a sound choice. The eight points of the star are stuffed with spicy salami and creamy ricotta, while the center is topped with Buffalo mozzarella and fresh tomato sauce. The crust is chewy and flavorful."
#pizza #tokyo 🍜 🍕

With donut varieties like Banana Island, Cookies and Cream, and Maple Bacon, the stylish Kobe cafe City Donuts & Coffee is a great spot for a donut-enhanced full breakfast or an afternoon coffee break.
#donuts #kobe #japantravel 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-citydonuts

Curry report - Among their very original spice curries, Yonemon in Kobe serves a uniquely flavored, assertively fishy "Korean-style seafood curry" made with mackerel, clams, dried shrimp, and changja. Get it as part of a three-curry combo.

tinyurl.com/b-yonemon
#spicecurry #kobe 🍜

Moose Hills Burger: Yokohama Yamashitacho

Moose Hills Burger in Yokohama serves 22 different burgers, with toppings like spinach-mushroom, Gorgonzola-Parmesan-Boursin, and excellent home-made smoked bacon. Beverages include Oreo Cookie milkshakes, fresh mint lemonade and local Yokohama craft beers.

#yokohama #burger 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-moose

"One of just a handful of Greek restaurants in the Tokyo area, Fili offers well-prepared Greek standards in a homey, Mediterranean-inspired setting. There's a decent selection of Greek wines by the bottle or glass to go with your meal, and ouzo for the adventurous."
#tokyo 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-FiliTokyo

Paul Bassett's food menu features salmon and cream cheese galettes, bacon-cheese sandwiches, and Massaman curries. On the dessert side, there are crepes, tarts, tiramisu, eggy puddings, and pancakes. (2/2)

#tokyo #cafe #coffee #tiramisu #hikarie 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-bassett

Upscale coffeehouse chain Paul Bassett serves long blacks and flat whites with your choice of either single-origin beans or their own blends. There's also a daily-special drip coffee, and some exotic premium varieties made from specially processed beans. (1/2)
#tokyo #shibuya
tinyurl.com/b-bassett

small tour group in front of big tanks

Old beer posters

Yebisu Brewery Museum, Tokyo: "Two large museum rooms are devoted to the history of the Yebisu brand, with historical photos, advertising posters, wooden sign boards, newspaper ads and Yebisu-branded jackets." (1/2)

#tokyo #ebisu #beer #japantravel #yebisu
tinyurl.com/w-yebisu

"The pizzas themselves are in Tokyo's top tier, notable for their ample toppings and satisfyingly chewy, very tasty crusts. You can choose from sixteen varieties, ranging from simple Marinara and Margherita to elaborate production numbers."
2/2

"Tokyo has many highly regarded pizza specialists, but Gonzo stands out among them for its warm, cozy atmosphere. The spacious dining area is lively without being raucous, and service is friendly and personable. " 1/2

#tokyo #pizza #青空ごはん部 🍕 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-GonzoTokyo

Creative, colorful and very original curries are the draw at the popular Shimo-Kitazawa branch of Osaka spice-curry pioneer Kyuyamutei. It just might be the best spice curry in town.
#tokyo #spicecurry #curry #shimokitazawa 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-kyuyamutei

Though it's very convenient to Yokohama Station, Swell Coffee Roastery is one of the more relaxed, less hectic cafe options in the area. You can choose from six single-origin beans for pour-over coffee (including one decaf), or sample their award-winning latte art.
#yokohama 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-swell

It looks and sounds like a French brasserie, but you'll find some of the best dim sum in Tokyo, day or night, at Le Parc in Ebisu.
#tokyo #dimsum 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-leParcEbisu

Stylish dining bar Isshin offers excellent seasonal cuisine with an emphasis on Kansai-style dishes, plus a diverse selection of craft sake. The kitchen turns out a mix of well-executed izakaya standards and original creations, with plenty of daily specials.
#tokyo #daikanyama 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-isshin

It does! Modern Japanese "Spice curry" is heavily influenced by Sri Lankan ingredients and presentation, though of course there are differences.

Curry report - The original FISH was an Akasaka-area legend for three decades before they closed. Now they're back in business in Nishi-Shinjuku, run by a former customer and turning out the same great spice curry for a new generation of fans.
#tokyo #curry #spicecurry 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-fishcurry

A pint of Two Cats (Neko Nihiki)

Regional dishes from Mie prefecture

Zaku sake

Mie-based craft beer brewery Ise Kadoya has opened a second izakaya in the Tokyo Station area, focused on Mie-area sake (including Zaku), Matsusaka beef and regional dishes. Plus 10 taps of Ise Kadoya beers, including limited-edition brews.
#tokyo #izakaya #craftbeer 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-isekado

Riesling feels like a relaxed neighborhood wine bar despite its location a few minutes from Shinjuku Station. They serve a good range of affordable German wines, along with drink-friendly dishes like beer-simmered pork and creamy zwiebelkuchen onion tarts.
#tokyo #winebar 🍜
tinyurl.com/b-riesling