Breakfast, lunch, dinner, midnight cravings, and everything in between! Literally what I ate from the moment I entered the plane until my last day in the Land of the Rising Sun. ALL. FOR. FREE.
Big thanks to Jenesys 2.0 Mass Media Program for this really wonderful experience. Hashtag turning Japanese! #JapanXP
ITADAKIMASU!
~~~
Day 1
JAPAN AIRLINES
Lunch on board!
Rice topped with beef (I think it was beef) with veggies, cold soba and somen (the white one) noodles and shrimp, egg roll and fish cake, JAL rice crackers, assorted fruits, orange juice, water, and ice cream!
I liked everything except for the somen noodles because of its taste I can't explain. My fave, obviously, was the ice cream because, let's be honest, it's freakin' Häagen-Dazs! PLUS IT'S VANILLA.
By the way, I kept the JAL spoon as a souvenir and for sure I was not the only one. Right? Right.
SAKURA SUISAN さくら水産, SHOPPERS PLAZA, URAYASU, CHIBA PREFECTURE
My first traditional dinner in Japan!
A bowl of sticky rice and miso soup (which, to be honest, tasted nothing), kara-age with two slices of orange, mackerel, potato and cabbage salad/coleslaw. Complete and healthy meal, right? But..
It ain't complete with these ice cream puffs! These were magical! At first I thought it was just a simple sweet bread but when I took a bite, voila! DEFINITELY A MUST-TRY.
Day 2
PALM SQUARE, HOTEL EMION TOKYO BAY
Breakfast buffet! Good morning cool Japan!
I had a little bit of everything, of course. Noodles, curry, sausage, fries, bacon, mushrooms, broccoli, omelette, salads (potato, tuna, and veggie!), and a whole lot more.
I swear, when it comes to my tummy, all buffets are totally worth it. So if you're planning to go to eat-all-you-can's, you know who to invite, okay?
CHIMNEY チムニー, SHINKAWA, CHUO, TOKYO
Since I was still bloated from what I devoured earlier, I wasn't able to finish this meal. I only munched few of the katsudon and cabbage salad, had a little sip from the miso soup, and drank half of the orange juice.
DOMA-DOMA 土間土間 新宿東口店, SHOPPERS PLAZA, URAYASU, CHIBA PREFECTURE
Appetizer: Kara-age with fries.
The waiters and waitresses in this restaurant were very friendly and welcoming, by the way.
This is the real deal.
They call it Nabeyaki Udon (鍋焼きうどん).
It is a traditional noodle soup, which includes seafood and vegetables, served in hot pots. While that red thing on top is called Itokiri togarashi or shredded chili pepper. We were happy that they had a refill of Udon noodles because it was really good and perfect for the freezing weather.
And of course, this creamy vanilla ice cream, which, I think, was Häagen-Dazs. Again!
This was where I knew that Häagen-Dazs is very common in Japan. It is like their version of Selecta.
Day 3
JENESYS BUS
I munched this candy during our bus ride to Rikugien Garden. It's called Peko Milky candy. It is actually popular in Japan because of its cute mascot named Peko-Chan. This candy is like caramel but milk-flavored. I wonder if we have one here.
HOKKAIDO SKY RESTAURANT 北海道 カレッタ汐留店 (NORTHERN JAPANESE FOOD), 46TH FLR. CARETTA SHIODOME, TOKYO HIGASHI-SHIMBASHI, MINATO-KU
The usual: Rice, kara-age with cabbage salad, and miso soup.
That one in the blue bowl is called kinpira gobo or carrots and burdock roots. It is sweet and salty, and is served cold. It is one of the nutritious dishes in Japan and I actually loved it.
And that yellow thing you see on top, which I thought was dried mango, is called daikon or Japanese radish.
I have observed that most of the restaurants in Japan serve their food with a wet towel (known as Oshibori), obviously to clean our hands before taking the meal. It also shows the restaurants' warmth and loyalty to their customers.
I loved this restaurant because we were able to see Tokyo Skytree from afar and all the other buildings around. The view was definitely breath-taking.
TSUKEMEN RAMEN MENYA TOKU, TRITON COLLECTION, HARUMI ISLAND TRITON SQUARE, CHUO, TOKYO
So our Japanese coordinators gave us a card which was like our own credit card for food. I ordered Wafu Gyokai Shoyu Ramen (with boiled egg, nori and chashu or braised pork) for 590 Yen plus bottomless melon soda.
It was an amazing experience to finally try their Ramen! Aside from that, we saw how they cooked and made one.
Day 4
HANANOMAI, PLENA MAKUHARI, MIHAMA WARD, CHIBA
Rice, sashimi with rice noodles, mackerel, miso soup, potato salad. and a glass of refillable tea (which I thought was iced tea or beer). The mackerel and sashimi were really tasty.
PATISSERIE DEL'IMMO, HARUMI ISLAND TRITON SQUARE, CHUO, TOKYO
We actually bought this strawberry cake after we had dinner in Toku last night. We just ate it now because we were having a pretty chill night.
RM 1704, HOTEL EMION TOKYO BAY
Upon room hopping at midnight, this was given to me by one of our Kuyas in the group.
Bourbon BaumRoll. It is rolled frosted cake with lemon filling.
Day 5
JOSAI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, TOGANE-SHI, CHIBA PREFECTURE
This is called Bento or Japanese boxed lunch. This is very well-known in Japan.
Our bento had three kinds of rice, fish, egg roll, fish cakes, chicken, beans, siomai, etc.
This was during our exchange program in JIU. We really enjoyed this one because we met new Japanese friends! I actually want to study there soon.
HOST FAMILY'S HOME, CHIBA PREFECTURE
During our first night at our host family's home, our Mommy Naoko taught us how to make onigiri (or rice balls wrapped in nori seeweed) together with her cute son and daughter. It is also popular in Japan because it is inexpensive and very easy to make.
She also cooked Miso soup for me and my buddy.
First dinner with the host family!
Heart-shaped onigiri (I enjoyed making it!), miso soup, and Sappari ni or lightly simmered chicken with boiled egg, which tasted like Adobo.
This one's called Calpis, one of the most common drinks in Japan. It is a non-carbonated soft drink with milky flavor. It's like Milkis.
We drank this after taking a warm bath.
Also, our host family has a lot of cute stuff including these spoons.
We munched some of these Japanese candies while making cute hair crafts. It's a hobby of our host mother.
Day 6
HOST FAMILY'S HOME, CHIBA PREFECTURE
Sappari ni, sausage with chi-zu or cheese wrapped like candies (which they usually eat every morning), and Oden for breakfast. Oden is a nabe (hot pot) dish that includes fish cakes and daikon in soy sauce.
These Japanese sausages were the bomb. It was so juicy! BEST SAUSAGE SO FAR. I SWEAR.
GINDACO, IKSPIARI, TOKYO DISNEY RESORT, MAIHAMA, URAYASU-SHI, CHIBA-KEN
We started our food adventure by gobbling these delightful takoyaki or octopus balls from Gindaco! The one on the left is teritama mayone-zu (teriyaki sauce with egg and mayonnaise) while on the right is the classic takoyaki with bonito flakes on top.
This is the most common street food in Japan.
According to my host mother, Gindaco sells the best takoyaki in Tokyo.
And she was right! Both of these takoyaki were really really good. As in really good. Duh, nothing beats the original!
Aside from the mouth-watering takoyaki, they also sell croissant-taiyaki (fish-shaped dessert) with sweet beans inside. This is also one of the traditional snacks in Japan. It is very sweet and crispy.
A little tip: Eat it while it's still hot. Promise, you'll love it.
A little tip: Eat it while it's still hot. Promise, you'll love it.
HAOCHAOZU, IKSPIARI, TOKYO DISNEY RESORT, MAIHAMA, URAYASU-SHI, CHIBA-KEN
Gyoza! Ground pork, shredded cabbage and leek inside.
You can't leave Japan without trying these.
MANNEKEN, IKSPIARI, TOKYO DISNEY RESORT, MAIHAMA, URAYASU-SHI, CHIBA-KEN
Chocolate marble wappuru (waffle)! This was part of Manneken's limited edition. I was so ecstatic because I was able to try it.
Aside from the choc marble, we tried their original and plain waffle but I have no picture of it. Both of them were really delish!
YAKISOBA EDOYA, IKSPIARI, TOKYO DISNEY RESORT, MAIHAMA, URAYASU-SHI, CHIBA-KEN
The original Yakisoba!
It has ginger, leek, powdered seaweed, and pork. I got so full! SUPER DUPER.
One plate of their Yakisoba is good for 2-3 persons.
KEIYO DRUG, TOKYO STATION
This sour gummy candy is my other favorite candy! We bought this when we were on our way home from Disneyland.
BASKIN ROBBINS / 31 ICE CREAM STORE, AEON MALL, URAYASU, CHIBA PREFECTURE
They call it 31 ice cream store because it has 31 ice cream flavors.
On the left side is my buddy's chocolate mint happy doll while on the right is mine, Love Potion #31 happy doll. It tasted like raspberry and vanilla.
They always design their ice cream based on the occasion. Lovely and tempting! We kept their cup and spoon because they were simply cute.
Day 7
HOST FAMILY'S HOME, CHIBA PREFECTURE
Last breakfast with our host family.
We had my favorite sausages and Tamagoyaki or egg rolls with tomato ketchup. They also use Heinz as their ketchup.
Cornflakes with a cute spoon!
And peeled apples! They are used to peel apples or pears before eating them. They are very refreshing.
PALM SQUARE, HOTEL EMION TOKYO BAY
We went back to our hotel for our farewell party with our host families. It was a feast! We had sushi, maki, tamagoyaki, yakisoba, sandwich, and mixed Japanese delights.
I wasn't able to eat well because I got so emotional when my host family said their goodbyes.
RM 1704, HOTEL EMION TOKYO BAY
We were free for the rest of the day so I just stayed at our room and ate this mochi or anko daifuku. This was given to me by my thesis professor which happened to be my groupmate too. He bought this at a convenience store while we were waiting for our host families.
SAKURA SUISAN さくら水産, SHOPPERS PLAZA, URAYASU, CHIBA PREFECTURE
Salmon, cabbage salad and katsu.
I honestly got used to it already.
I thought I won't be having these anymore but thank God they served them again!
FAMILY MART, HOTEL EMION TOKYO BAY
Yes, there's a Family Mart inside our hotel, so it was very convenient for us if we needed something. Just go down and grab something you want!
It was around 12:30 am when we got back from Shibuya so we decided to chill there because we got so tired. Plus some of our groupmates were still awake, waiting for their clothes from the laundry area.
I saw this treat so I gave it a try. It is ice cream covered in chocolate. It's yummier if you just let it melt in your mouth. Don't bite it. Just let it melt.
Day 8
PALM SQUARE, HOTEL EMION TOKYO BAY
Last dinner at Hotel Emion.
I had beef with mushroom, cornflakes and cocoa puffs, and apple juice.
I was not on a diet. I just felt like I already ate too much. As in too much. Gluttony!
HARUNATEI (KANAYA FERRY SERVICE CENTER), FUTTSU-SHI 富津市, CHIBA
Tired from hiking and mountain climbing, finally it's lunch time!
This restaurant was beside the sea so everything was fresh!
They served us a bowl of rice, cold soba noodles and miso soup, tempura, tamagoyaki, mixed vegetables, daikon, and some pickled veggies.
These gigantic strawberries were the juiciest! Bought this outside the restaurant.
ISSHIN HAO! RESTAURANT, CHIBA PREFECTURE
Last dinner in Japan.
The ones on the back are breaded Aji (Japanese horse mackerel) with fried sweet potatoes and miso soup. The one in front is stir fried pork.
I only ate a little because I was still emotional. Yes, I'm a drama queen, okay. I hate detachments.
JONATHAN'S COFFEE & RESTAURANT, URAYASU, CHIBA PREFECTURE
It was our last night in Japan so I decided to savor it by going out at around 1:00 am. I looked for a nice place to chill at and invited four of my groupmates since they were done packing their stuff as well.
We found this place which was fifty to sixty steps away from our hotel. And this was the only restaurant open. Jonathan's is one of the most common restaurants in Japan.
This was also where the waitress told us that each of us should order. No sharing of food. We were a bit stressed because there was a language barrier and we were just planning on sharing. But we had no choice. It was fun talking to her, though.
We ordered hot danish with soft ice cream and maple syrup, chocolate banana parfait, vanilla ice cream, and strawberry cheesecake. Plus brewed coffee!
They were all heavenly.
~~~
Gochisosama deshita! OISHI!
Arigatou gozaimashita!
And that ends my Japanese food adventure. I will definitely go back to Japan soonest.
Looking forward to more exchange and cultural immersion programs!
Feel free to ask if you have questions! ;)
Source/s:
http://www.teraken.co.jp/
http://blog.blueapron.com/7-types-of-asian-noodles/
http://r.gnavi.co.jp/g956704/lang/en/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2035.html
http://www.harumi-triton.jp/english/index.html
http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/10/best-candies-around-the-world/peko-milky-candy
http://www.japanesecooking101.com/kinpira-gobo-recipe/
http://www.goodlucktripjapan.jp/en/article/64.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2042.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3016_ikspiari.html
http://greatfoodinjapan.blogspot.com/2012/06/gindaco-takoyaki-stall-shinjuku-station.html
http://www.tokyoeats.jp/manneken/
http://www.skylark.co.jp/jonathan/index.html
My Japan groupmates: Marc Rodrin, Kish Monterona, Rod Lagusad and Carie Feria
My host mother: Mommy Naoko
