Went to Japan with my brother back in October. Most plates mine. The others being my brother's. Two themed restaurants involved. A few places recommended by others IRL and online. Others of my own interest. Others of my brother's own interest. Lots of food aimed to try that are not really known for being popular here.... or lessly popular. The list is:
Dragon Quest Themed Dishes (From Luida's Bar in Akihabara. Orange Creme Brulee, Curry Rice, Custard Bun, Drinks (Elixirs.... the yellow one which I ordered, was probably the best yuzu drink I have ever tasted. And not alcoholic!), Icecream Mochi and Brownie, Omurice, Sweet Potato Soup, and Hamburg Steak.
Fugu Sushi (From Guenpin in Shibuya. As Fugu isn't available in the US, I wanted to try it (and will say it was..... a tough eat. As in very chewy .... ) There was also grilled fugu I didn't get pictures of, and lemonades with fugu collagen jelly in there as well.
Takoyaki and Kakigori (From Konamon Bar Rikyu in Osaka. Blue Hawaiian and Matcha)
Katsu Curry (From Coco Ichibanya. Recommended by co-workers in Japan. Level 5 Heat. Was too much for my sensitive mouth but did get it all down!)
Mario Themed Plates (From Universal at the Kinopio (Toad) Cafe. Yoshi Egg Pasta / Goalpost Cake / Fishbone Fish / Standard Rice / ? Block Creme Brulee)
Mochi-covered Omurice (From Rakeru in Shibuya. Absolutely amazing and unexpected as the mochi worked and I never had curry sauce with my omelets before.... actually inspired me to try it on my own at home. )
Souffle Pistachio Pancakes (From Flippers in Shibuya. As good as they looked.)
Tonkatsu Ramen (From Hanamaruken Namba Hozenji in Dotonburi/Osaka. Best Ramen I think I have ever had.)
Rice-Bun Burger and Fried Potato (From Mos Burger)
Strawberry and Citrus Icecream Shakes (From Flippers)
Taiyaki (From Taiyaki Wakaba. This place was a little walk from the Japan office which seemingly always had a built-up line of people getting handmade Taiyaki there. After splitting from the group at the office, I realized this place was close, so went here.)
Yakiniku (From Yakiniku Like. A fast Yakiniku place seemingly everywhere. My brother loved this)
Best (To me): Either the Ramen or the Mochi Omurice.
Worst (To me): Whatever the red slime on the steak was made of, as it was the only thing I tried and taste-rejected. As a full plate, probably the fugu for the toughness or the slime-themed omurice, as I wasn't a big fan of the ketchup-rice mix inside, especially after having the mochi/curry one. Lesson here is, gimmicks are gimmicks for a reason. Still no regrets. Missed opportunities/Food Pics:
We tried to get a place for Omurice in Kyoto but missed out as it was reservation only.
Was going to try ramen at this place in Golden Gai I heard so much about but decided against it later for a few reasons.
We went to this bakery in Shibuya called Shiroichi 4 times because we loved the food they had there so much. Food looked like standard bread (An pan, melon pan, etc) but the tastes were too great. (Cream was the best IMO)
There were also other places we ate at that we didn't get (strictly) food pictures (Sushi bar, A british pub I met a friend at, another more upscale Yakiniku place by the Skytree, Zauo, a few fast convenience store grabs like famichiki and such but were all still great!)
I know lots of people love food pics so here ya go. (Images too big, too many to post here apparently.)
https://imgur.com/a/GV6jQkg
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Japanese Crack: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5pzggr