Bianco

Tokyo

We start this guide with a special place. We go to Yakumo in Nakameguro. A great neighbourhood and insanely good ramen with some extra good wonton. My job as a trend researcher and many interviews with Tokyo streetwear designers, shop managers and so on have always brought up this name. I don’t know what it is, but the streets seem to love this shop. It's a fancy place, but offers real ramen love. Perfect wontons and a smooth soup that will delight you.
If you want way more read my big guide.
Matane motherfuckers.

Again one of my absolute favourite places in this town and a high percentage to find me here when in Tokyo. I live very close to this shop and go there at least once a week together with my girl. This shop is insanely good. From their clear chicken ramen with Japanese citrus to their Tsukemen and their chiso miso ramen that adds extra cheese to heavy miso ramen. All bowls are god level, and the shop has a really laid back atmosphere. Say hi if you see me.

Yamaguchi Ratsushiki is one of these places and they are Bib Gourmand famous for their special Mabo Mazesoba. Same as Mabo Tofu, this dish holds a lot of Sichuan Pepper that will numb your lips, tongue, and mouth like crazy over time. I think the first time I tried this pepper I referred to its effect as a big spoon full of Charlie going down your throat. This still might make sense, I am a good guy now... I don’t know. So Yamaguchi Ratsushiki manages to really balance these levels and turn this ride into a good one. Loads of coriander and pork belly cubes and slices help, the extra egg, too. All in all, this is a real love affair, and Mazesoba is something you def should not miss at all.
If you bring enough time go to Yamaguchi Ratsushiki a bit away in Koto and enjoy this lovely hood and bowl. Oishii.

Let's head to Ikebukuro and eat at Kinkanbo. This neighbourhood is a bit like Shibuya just without all the tourists. It's famous for its various ramen shops, and Kinkanbo is one of the legendary shops in these streets. They do a crazy good and spicy miso ramen, with an incredibly tender piece of pork meat on top and extra optional coriander and spicy levels. If you can take it. The whole shop has a lovely design and is full of devil masks and dark-red walls. It's a one of a kind experience. Go to hell and enjoy it.

Time for another heavyweight champion and the place with probably the longest waiting time in this list, but the good guys at Tsuta are… good guys and invented a ticket system. Come early, pick a ticket and then come back later and just wait a bit on top. Don’t worry about spending too much time in front of the shop and instead check out the beautiful Rikugien Garden near Tsuta and eat a Kaki Gori (shaved ice) in there while you wait for the magic doors to open up for you. Tsuta really is one of a kind. The whole shop is quiet as fuck, and the ramen is incredibly tasty and finessed with some truffle paste. It's hard to explain what all happens in this bowl, but let's just say it was the first ramen that got a Michelin and those rich fucks only give stars to the best food, I guess.

Fuck, I love this shop and I love this neighbourhood. By now you can prove if you really came here for ramen. 'This shop is a bit far off the usual routes and only a few that love good food and the real Tokyo will go for it. The rest can take the same pictures and walks the same roads as the million other tourists before. We getting emotional here. For real, Matador Gyukostu is my absolute favourite. Maybe the best ramen I ever ate. It's a very rare beef ramen - you don’t find it that very often. It combines thin slices of beef, minced meat and a lot of other good things that will make your taste buds explode. I salute everybody who makes it out there. Be aware that there might be a long line on the weekend, so come early.

Let's go to Ueno, one of my favourite neighbourhoods in Tokyo. Next to a banging bowl of ramen, you will find the Ameyoko Market here, that will sell you everything you can think of. It starts with cheap souvenirs and ends with a golden Rolex. Believe me, they got everything you can imagine in between these two products. On top of that, there is Kamo To Negi. A ramen specialised in healthy vibes and duck meat. No artificial flavours, a light broth and a perfect piece of duck meant. Yes, a perfect piece and perfect bowl. Believe me.

We stay in Ueno, and we go from duck to crab. Sanji sells special crab ramen that is super super deep in flavour and has an optional option to add as many qualm eggs as you want to eat (3 cost 50 yen). The taste is one of a kind. 100% unique and nothing you will ever get anywhere else in the world. It's hard to put in words, just go there and eat their 'crazy crab' bowl.

The next ramen sends you right to Ginza, Tokyo’s very posh and high-class shopping district. KAGARI is specialised in Tory Paitan ramen, which is the best chicken soup you will probably eat in your whole damn life. KAGARI is world famous for their soup, and after this bowl, you will probably, never enjoy ramen outside of Japan again. It's def worth it. Go for it.

Let's end with one of my favourite bowls deep down in Shibuya. A lucky one for you cause you probably don’t have to go too far since your Airbnb or hotel or whatever might be close. But you gotta come early, cause Hayashi gets sold out quick. Come a bit before they open at 11AM and enjoy the most comfortable ramen machine of them all. If you did not know that yet, you buy your ramen at a machine/get a ticket. And usually, they have a million options, all in Japanese. Hayashi is different. Three buttons that just change the number of extras. Get the biggest one, and don’t talk that much. This shop is quiet, everybody enjoys his or her bowl. Shut up and enjoy the definition of an OG, extraordinarily good ramen.

Bianco’s Guide to Ramen in Tokyo

Yuki Matsuda

It's a venue that has one of the best sound systems.

They are open until 3 am and they have the best late night food to take my mind off.

They always have really cool exhibitions and events.

I just love their authentic and very spicy Chinese dishes. Sometimes after doing a gig you just wanna eat spicy food with your mates.

Owned by one of my friends who has a very good taste in music.

It's a second hand book store. They have many great art books.

Tokyo with Yuki Matsuda

Keita Morimoto

Meguro River in Nakameguro is a nice place for seeing cherry blossoms but if you hate extremely crowded places, head to Ueno Park.

A two hour train ride from Tokyo, Hakone is famous for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji. Stays usually cost $200-$300 per person all inclusive. For an affordable hotel, try Tenseien. Higher end options are Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu or Hoshino Resorts KAI Hakone. Hike to see Mount Fuji Otome Pass. Hakone Yumoto, Pola Museum, Hakone Open-Air Museum are all fun areas to explore.

When I want to unwind I usually go to a cafe in the Asakusa area to grab a cup of coffee and research.

Dollar sushi is a Tokyo fast-food staple. It’s cheap, quick and delicious.

I worked at Sushiro, which is a dollar sushi place. It was a fun experience learning how food was made in those fast food chains. I'd say sea urchin, red shrimp and scallops are the best dishes there.

New Chelsea-type [NYC] area, a really good place for art galleries as well.

In Harajuku, Gallery Target, Nanzuka are good venues. But I still have to recommend my own gallery in Roppongi, Kotaro Nukaga.

You have to try monjayaki. Pour the batter, sauce and bonito flakes onto your hot plate. Wait for it to crisp up on the bottom but eat it while it’s still kind of gooey on top. I recommend the Mentaiko mochi cheese monja (monjayaki with seasoned pollock roe, rice cake and cheese fillings) and kimchi pork monja.

Rather than a portal to a specific place, it's almost like it's like they’re these mysterious windows that people are attracted to. Using light to attract people is a huge part of life here, both religious and commercial use of light. These vending machines are so interesting because they are literally everywhere, every corner. Landlords can get a percentage of the sales if you have one in front of your house. They have always struck me as these strange portals, almost like black holes, that I am drawn to in my day to day. Whatever you want, pretty much anything, you can get one in the machines.

Keita Morimoto’s City Guide to Tokyo

Keem De Peralta

This is where I first met the people I am involved with creatively right now. Some friends and people that I know used to throw the sickest parties here. The place has a pingpong table, a few couches, and a mad soundsystem. It's pretty sick too because it's kind of hidden, as it is located in a kind of abandoned building. Had some pretty crazy nights here before.

This place has the best uni pasta in all of Tokyo! Creamy and full! They also serve a bunch of rare stuff like Basashi (Horse meat) and Malaysian Duck! Super hidden and pretty exotic. The beef shank stew is to die for!

Whenever I crave for Mexican food, I would always go here. Tacos are the best, and the cactus ceviche!

2nd best Thai joint in the city. Won't tell the other one cause thats my ace lol. This place has the best thai curry, pork dishes and rice dishes

Out of all the commercial Japanese curry spots, Go go curry is the best because the flavour is not very strong, but very savoury and a little bit sweet. You can get the Omori size, it has tonkatsu, ebi katsu, sausages, and curry that'l feed 2-3 people.

My favorite Japanese dish of all time is a dish from Nagoya's "Hitsumabushi"! Its unagi (eel) on top of rice with a very bomb ass soup that you mix with the rice to make a rice porridge! Hitsumabushi is definitely the best out here in Tokyo.

Great Sashimi with an amazing view. I usually take dates here when things get serious lol.

Tokyo with Keem De Peralta

Melanin Unscripted

Uzochi: I went on my bday and it was such a great experience. Definitely something you have to experience in person to understand how amazing it is.

Ameya: Probably my favourite ramen spot. Get the tom yum ramen or green curry ramen.

Uzochi: Great American style sandwich shop that also has great milkshakes. They have a sit down restaurant and also a take away which I frequent at least once a week. Their Arms Patty Melt is my favorite thing on the menu.

Ameya: Also another good brown spot if you want to get mittai, and other authentic Indian sweets. It’s a bit overpriced but considering no one else does it like them - it’s worth it.

Ameya: Kind of a childhood sushi spot that I grew up going to. The seared salmon here is really good and is a safe bet especially when my friends abroad come to visit and are apprehensive of raw fish.

Uzochi: This place has all the games you could imagine- roller skating, badminton, basketball and lots more. They also have very reasonably priced food and drinks, making it a place you can easily spend your whole day at. Located in Odaiba, which also features many shopping malls and is also the location of TeamLab PLANET.

Ameya: I think this is my favorite Tempura spot. They even have tempura egg!! Everything is made fresh in front of you and it’s not too oily.

Uzochi: A very good brunch spot with great sourdough pancakes. The atmosphere and vibe is very relaxed and is a perfect way to spend your Sunday morning.

Ameya: If you like South Indian food I recommend going here. The cheese dosas or masala dosas are really good.

A Guide to Tokyo with 'Women of Colour Japan'

Shingo

Sake Street is actually a liquor store, not a bar. But you can taste a variety of sakes at affordable prices. The store's Instagram has descriptions of the sake in English.

You can freely pour and compare from around 80 different brands of sake here. Find your favourite one while enjoying all-you-can-eat sushi.

Each week, they feature a different sake brewery. This is nice because the offerings change all the time, so it's always something new there!

Yorokobi is a sake bar, but the real star of their menu is the delicious udon noodles. Both the sake and the food is outstanding there.

The restaurant has been around for over 150 years and is famous for its soba noodles. It also offers a wide variety of sake and Japanese food that pairs well with sake.

Yodare is a restaurant that serves Izakaya (Japanese style pub) food. There is a wide variety of sake available, and even hard-to-find sakes such as Aramasa and Denshu at reasonable prices.

This is a store for "Hakkaisan", one of the most famous Sake brands. Here you can enjoy a Hakkaisan tasting, as well as snacks made with koji (malted rice).

This is a standing bar where you can drink the sake that was just made in Tokyo Station. I recommend the doburoku (unrefined sake) made at the Tokyo Station Sake Brewery next door.

Where to Drink the Best Sake in Tokyo with Shingo

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