Noble Cafe Shu

We were out early one morning and had time to kill and went to a cafe for breakfast.

This place was very nice and the set up is super fancy.  

Not knowing this is an uppity place, just set down and get a tea to start.  I got the Apple and Flower tea to start.  Smells pretty and not overpowering flavors, nice and mild.

I got the toast combo, which is literally a giant slice of toast, I asked for blueberry jam.  Came with boil egg and the pot of tea.  All for 1540 yen, which is approximately $10.73US.   Might seemed high for an egg and a slice of toast with tea, but you also know that this is a fancy place, this ain't McDs, and the meals are fancier.   That said, comparatively, you cannot order a meal set here in the States even at a diner for that price. 

Noble Cafe Shu

107-0052 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 3 Chome−9−1 Kiyoh Building, １F, Japan

https://shu-group.studio.site/shop/akasaka

 

Wumei Taiwanese cuisine

Was wandering around Tokyo Station, and that place is huge.  The non-train part of the station, where the food and shopping are is also huge.

There are food at basement and 2nd floor.  So I wander to whichever have the least people.  

It was kinda early still, so I went to a Taiwanese cuisine store.   It's what they called cafeteria style.  You scan the QR code for menu, and order from there.

I ordered tea, and there's actually other drinks that you can order from the fridge, but I like tea, so...

I order 1 piece of pan-fried Xi Long Bao - I've never had that before, so I must try it.  The skin is definitely thicker than regular XLB, but it's different and nice in a different way. 

I ordered a meal set, I haven't had meat sauce over rice in a long time.   They filled the bowl to the rim, and it came with quail egg, veggie, and ginger.  The set came with potato salad, and wonton soup and dumpling. 

The wonton is definitely different, I've never seen a pink wonton skin before, but the taste is definitely is good.  It's a lot of food all for $13, definitely worth a meal. 

As you know Japanese are really big on the Gachapan - these twisty machines.  Which I like these better than the claw machines, since I'm guaranteed to win something.  Not like claw machine where I kept losing right at the end.  And these I'm definitely will bring home something.  

Anyway, you can find Wumei on the 2nd floor of the Gangstar Yaekita portion of the station.  It's like part mall, part food court, part restaurants.  I can be there for hours and just walk and walk and eat some good food.  So much fun!

Wumei

1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan

https://multi.andtrip.jp/LUC2AITRIP/cdata/luc2aitrip_1047_jaen.html

 

Toyosu Market

When they closed the Tsujiki Fish Market, they moved it to a newly built area called Toyosu. 

They have a fully accommodating facility that not only house the famous fish auction, which you can view it on the above floor at the guest viewing windows.  But they also have vegetable auction market, fruit action market and other commercial markets in the same building. 

To accommodate and to drive the tourism, they built this traditional looking street for nostalgia sake. 

And you can see all the food stalls both out here on the street side, or inside in the shop side.

Lots of people gathered around to eat after buying all the goodies.

I decided to try the very well promoted waygu sticks for 1800 yen (approx $12.25 USD). 

These are decent size chunk of meat.  And while I cannot tell if it is truly waygu or not, but the beef definitely marbled well and the texture is smooth and soft.  No complaints here. 

My disappointment though, I will say, is that it gets super crowded on both the street and shop side.  So you don't really get a good look at stuff.  So I guess as usual, go early.  That said, another disappointment was that though they are closer to the real fish auction, the fresh fish items were less in offerings.  There were more fried and skewered stuff than fresh sashimi and such.  I would've liked to see the type of offerings we get at Tsukiji as we do here.  But it was an experience that I'm glad I get to see. 

Toyosu Market

https://www.toyosu-senkyakubanrai.jp/

 

Tsukiji Market

Finally made it to Tsukiji (formerly fish market).

There's so many commercial buildings nearby it's pretty busy. 

It's only when you turn to the side street is where you find the goodies.

Fresh caught seafood everywhere.

Of course, food stalls that make your food to order.

From crab legs, mussels, clams, and eels.  You pay, they grill.

And me? I happily paid.

Got grilled unagi.  Delish!!! Can't go wrong on that one.

This is chopped up scallop grilled. The juice mix with their house made soy sauce was awesome. 

You really do have to go by 9-ish to avoid the crowds, they get bus here in droves. 

My friend recommended as a MUST, this shop for Tamago, the line was no joke, but for 200yen (approx $1.36 USD), it's worth playing.  

They give you a decent chunk of egg omelet on a stick.  Meanwhile, their staff is constantly making more egg omelet.  They also have egg with seafood added in too.  Hence the long line. 

Across from our line, one of the food vendor is cleaning the fish and getting ready for sale.  Very apt. 

Weird things I've seen people carrying around was these thin cardboard things... of course curiosity got the best of me and I have to find out.

It is squid cracker.  You pay 600yen (approx $4 USD), they give you a card, if it's crab, squid or combo.  The guy in the back has the seafood on the waffle grill-like apparatus, then he pour the batter, and then they squeeze the daylight out of the combo and steam gets let out.  The result is this cracker.  You can taste the flavor, but there's no 'meat' per se to it.  It's a fun snack to do. 

Of course, when I see dorayaki, I have to get it in honor of Doraemon.  This is one of those YKIYK kinda thing.  Basically, dorayaki is two sweet pancakes with adzuki bean filling in the middle.  It's what I grew up having and it was truly a nostalgia thing. 

Anyway, more food.... there was many stalls with various kinds of sashimi.  Some sell tuna, fatty tuna, and Otoro tuna.  I just got a plate of regular tuna, for 1000 yen (approximately $6.81 USD) you can't even get that price at local restaurant, so yeah I'm doing it!

Lastly, cannot find the uni (sea urchin) place my friend recommended.  Not sure if they moved or no longer operating.  But we saw a small stall that was selling uni at a reasonable price and decided to give that a shot.  It's definitely fresh, and it is buttery, it's smooth going in, and it's definitely an acquired taste.  It's not for everybody but worth trying at least once.

Tsukiji Market old claim to fame is the fish auction, so then the vendors nearby either get the left over or the smaller scale fish and sell them and feed the tourist who gets up crack of dawn to watch the auction.  Nowadays, the auction has moved, but the stalls are still here and still offering lots of fresh fish here.  Word of advise, since it's mostly mom and pop shops cash is king.  If they do take credit card, do take advantage, but keep cash around.  Also, because this is touristy area, fully expect they uncharge more than at a food court or restaurant, pretty much part of the experience. 

Tsukiji Market

https://www.tsukiji.or.jp/english/

 

Nakau Restaurant

Another neighborhood joint.

Saw this at the bottom of our train station, and the joint was hoping.  It's no wonder, they are opened 24hrs. 

You go to the machine (it used to be vending machine-like), but now it's a standing computer kiosk.  Don't worry, they now come in English, so you can just select the language and not be as lost.  

You pay and grab the ticket.   Then grab a seat.  The store clerk will bring you water or tea and take your ticket.  And as soon as your food is ready, they will bring it to you.  

I got Katsu Curry, just because I have yet to have Japanese Curry, plus it was a chilly day when we were there, so curry would hit the spot.  There's not alot to it, fried pork, rice, and c2-chōme-7-16 Shiomi

Koto City, Tokyo 135-0052urry sauce.  Japanese curry, unlike Indian Curry or South Asian Curry, theirs is sweet.  My favorite usually has veggie and potato, but this one is just sauce and meat.  But you don't see me complaining.  I was a happy camper just having my curry.  

At these neighborhood joints, they tend to have wide variety of food to accommodate everyone.  From Breakfast, Rice Bowls, Noodles, to Curry.  They have a great deal of food selection.  Their fame to claim is that they're fast, this was truly sit down, less than 10 mins we have our meal.  All thanks to the kiosk put in the order when we pay.  Super convenient, fast, and I don't think I paid $5 for that dish. 

Nakau Restaurant

2-chōme-7-16 Shiomi, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0052

https://www.nakau.co.jp/en/whats_nakau/

 

Darjeeling Spice - noodles

We were so tired that decided to eat around the hotel. 

We came across an Indian shop, but yet they serve Ramen, thought: why not.

Yep, got me a Mango Lassi, but it's not as thick as the ones I've had in Texas.  The yogurt used seems to be less thick.

Got me a Shoyu Ramen.  It's actually pretty to par, the broth is decent and the chasiu is decent.  Is it on the knocks it out of the park?  No, but for a neighborhood joint and for it to be run by Indian family that caters to Japanese locals, I think it's pretty decent.  Plus the pricing is very reasonable, which is about what I found eating around Japan.  Fully expected touristy places to be up-marketed, but for local places it's super reasonable.  

You order at the ground floor, and you go upstairs and they bring you the trays.  I think because they know we're not locals, they came and took our order and brought us our food to accommodate.  Very friendly owner and staff.  The seating area in second floor oversees that grocery store next door, so you can check out the store after. 

Darjeeling Spice Shiomi

 135-0052　2-7-9 shiomi, Koto-ku, Tokyo

https://www.darjeeling-spice.com/menu/

 

Food at DisneySea

So the big deal about DisneySea in Tokyo is the Fantasy Springs

We ended up at Arendelle inside Fantasy Springs.

In the area, we ended up at Snuggly Duckling

The details are amazing!

And some awesome artwork everywhere.  There's a trick to coming here thought, you do have to have a mobile order placed before they'll let you in, especially if it's cold or rainy.  That's their way of crowd control, much like their rides.

I got another set for meal.  Again, check the mobile order to see if there's any upgrade opportunities for any collectables.  And if you check their site, they will tell you what they have what which restaurant has what goodies.

I got Ham and Cheese, and I truly thought it was just ham and cheese, not realizing it's Ham & Cheese AND Hamburger.  So it was lots of meat for a lunch. 

The set came with fries and a drink.  I got a 'dessert' which is really colorful jello and cream, but it came with a limited edition cup, so what the heck.  YOLO, amirite?!

Back to the front of the park after walking around a bunch, we sat down for tea break.  Instead I got a coffee latte, not realizing that it came with coffee jelly.  I'm not a fan of that, but since that's what I got, just drank it. 

Of course, I got the famous Mike Wazowski Melon Pan.  It was odd, because I thought it was baked that way, but it's really a regular Melon Pan (Bread) with a fondant layer on top.   So, there you have it, the extra 'sweet' came from the fondant top.   The Melon Pan by itself is totally fine, but for novelty, right?! 

DisneySea has alot of unique rides, but they also have some that are familiar like the Tower of Terror.  That ride has like 240 minute wait time.  Erm, no, thanks!  But! If you go to the Tower of Terror gift shops, they have gachapon machine for 500 yen you can twist for a toy. 

Tokyo DisneySea

https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tds/restaurant.html

 

Food at Disneyland

When in Tokyo Disneyland, must have some of their food.

But first, yes, we went before rope drop.

Not because we're crazy, but the line is really long.  Since Tokyo Disney are mostly attended by locals. 

Must have the Cinderella Castle shot.

But wait, wait! We have Baymax Vending machines.  They're just too cute not to share.

Another cute thing, is the Chef in the Beauty and the Beast ride.

When you buy meal sets, they have park limited merch, like candy holder, special plates, lunch bag... etc.  My set came with sandwich, fries, and soda.  Don't worry I didn't eat all that on the tray.

I got the fried chicken sandwich, what's unusual is that they paired it Tartar sauce, which we typically associate with fish, not meat.  The outcome, I don't hate it, not sure if I want to go back to it.  Definitely different. 

The day we were there was a tad cool, so grabbed a cup of Peach tea.  Turns out there are real slices of peach at the bottom of the cup.  No wonder it smelled extra nice. 

Another kind of vending machine, it's tea pots in front of Alice's dining hall.  They even blow smoke on the spout. 

For afternoon snack, finally found the little Alien Mochi.  They come in either 3 or 5 pieces.  It has chocolate filling, strawberry filling, and vanilla.  The chocolate one was a surprise.  I'm used to fruit middle for mochi usually.  But it was extra chewy. 

Tokyo Disneyland

https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/tdl/restaurant.html