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food travel

Japan: Gomaya Kuki (Rich Sesame Ice Cream)

If you are a fan of black or white sesame desserts, then you must visit Gomaya Kuki (ごまや くき) located in Shibuya, Tokyo. I highly recommend the intense TRIPLE black sesame ice cream, and make sure to visit the self-serve table for extra sesame and sesame drizzle! The uniquely robust and silky smooth flavors will […]

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food travel

Japan: Visit Osaka for the best cheesecake at Uncle Rikuro

Japanese cheesecake…the more elegant sibling of the denser New York style cheesecake. Balanced in taste, fluffy but moist, mildly sweet but not overpowered…..and overall sooooo satisfying. The search for the perfect Japanese cheesecake brings us to Osaka, where one brand stands out from the rest….Rikuro Ojisan no Mise, (also known as Uncle Rikuro). Uncle Rikuro […]

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food travel

Japan: Kaiseki

Hidden away next to Kyoto’s river and bamboo forests in Arashiyama is a small restaurant Shoraian, serving traditional tofu multi-course Japanese meals (kaiseki). While most kaiseki meals tend to be rather expensive ($100~300/person), Shoraian’s lunches are reasonably priced at $33~50/person (http://www.shoraian.com/menu/).  I picked the most expensive meal option Shofu ($50/person) to try as many dishes as possible. Reservations is required.  If you can, request the window […]

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food

Japan: Omurice

When I was in high school I watched “Lunch Queen”, a Japanese drama about a lady extremely obsessed with lunches, especially the Japanese omelette rice called omurice.  Since then, I have been obsessed with finding the best omurice, and to see what’s the big deal.  So finally when I visited Kyoto in 2015, I visited Kichi Kichi. Kichi Kichi […]

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food travel

Japan: Fushimi Inari Shrine

  My favorite place in Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari Shrine — the most popular shrine dedicated to Inari (Shinto god of rice).  Stone fox status can be found everywhere as they are Inari’s messengers. But what stands out the most are the thousands of orange/black torii gates.  These gates are funded by donations from […]