Tokyo Part 2 - Food vs Culture

The world's capital of gastronomy. For those who didn't know, Tokyo tops Paris with more Michelin Stars and better food. With it's 2013 guide, Michelin has again affirmed that the "muse" has relocated to Tokyo !! Here's to some of the restaurants I have been missing since then ;) Let's forget about the calories for the time being though...
Kozue in Park Hyatt, Tokyo. Great food with an amazing view !! On a clear day, one can see Mount Fuji from the hotel’s exquisite contemporary Japanese restaurant. The menu features only the finest seasonal ingredients for the hearty, home-style dishes which are uniquely presented on beautiful earthenware, porcelain and lacquerware created by noted Japanese craftsmen.

Set lunch including dessert and tea

The special red bean jelly

the amazing panoramic view

Reservation is a must to make sure you have the window side table ;)

When you talk about Japanese cuisine, what comes into your mind first?? Sushi !!! If you ask a Japanese where is the most luxurious sushi restaurant in Tokyo, most people might answer KYUBEY
You will be surprised to eat sushi with salt not soy sauce here. Highly recommended !!! KYUBEY or KYUBEI serves the best sushi I have ever tried, from hating tuna into loving tuna ;) Well, best quality comes with a high price too... If I remember correctly, 10 different types of sushi per person cost around 120SGD. Having said that, it's totally worth a try ! Now I know what real sushi taste like ;)

Meet our amazing sushi chef ensuring all fishes are impeccably fresh and expertly sliced

This is heaven !!

Best Unagi I ever had ;)

Oh,, live prawns is one of the dishes as well :)

Simply love the authentic setup of this restaurant !!

Other than the amazingly fresh fishes, what really blew my mind off is this "supposed to be" ordinary Tamago. People say that you can judge a sushiya by its tamagoyaki, and Kyubey is no exception. Sweet and almost cake-like, it is served towards the end of the meal (with or without rice). Theirs includes ground shrimp, which lends a fluffy, lighter-than-air texture and enhances the flavor of the egg. The secret is the level of fine grinding and slow roasting, accomplished by hot coals placed atop the egg mixture and moved carefully along until it is set.

After trying this tamago, I have never ordered any tamago since then. Guess there is no need to mention their outstanding customer service. MUST TRY !! Five stars for food, ambience and service.

Just in case you are wondering, it's not really necessary to pay a bomb for good food as well. This random restaurant we found in Shinjuku is pretty impressive too ;)
Here's a video of the preparation.

 And the final dish ;)

After all these countless calories, let's engage in some fats burning activity... We are lucky to have visited Tokyo in May, having the chance to experience one of the biggest event - Sanja festival. It is considered one of the wildest and largest Shinto festivals in Tokyo, held in honor of the three men who established and founded Senso-ji(the ancient buddhist temple in Asakusa).
Held on the third weekend of every May at Asakusa Shrine, over the course of three days, this festival attracts 1.5 to 2 million locals and tourists every year !!!

These miniature shrine - "mikoshi" weighs approximately one ton and cost 40million yen to construct. Each needs about 40 people dispersed evenly to safely carry them.

Take a look at the half deflated Asakusa lantern for the "mikoshi" to pass through...

A glimpse of how crowded it was

This video best illustrates why it is considered the wildest and largest Shinto festival in Tokyo !!

fyi, most of the guys are half drunk... How fun is this :D

No OOTD from me on this post, guess it's maybe more interesting to look at their "Outfit of the day" instead. How's that ?? Any inspirations ?? Haha

This concludes my lovely holiday in Japan - with shrines and temples that are world heritage sites, lively festivals, an abundance of nature and not forgetting all those divine dishes !! Hope you have been enjoying my blog so far. Next up on my trip to Europe.... Xoxo