Turning Japanese
Just back from a fantastically inspiring short trip to Tokyo with Noam. We went to check if this is really the new food capital of the world. And we came back with a resounding YES.
We were totally blown away by the simple food we had at small sushi joints and local izakayas (the equivalent of a British gastro-pub, but nothing like it, really).
But what was the most impressive were the food halls in the basements of the big department stores. There was nothing to prepare us for the abundance of pastries and prepared foods, for the rivers of knowledgeable and excited shoppers, for the quality and beautiful packaging... for the foodie's heaven that these places are.
We will be back.
The view from our hotel room. Unfortunately, we could only afford one night
Plastic food
Real (?) food
Japanese sweets
Noam outside Yabu Soba, greatest soba noodle restaurant in the world, at least in our mind
Comments
hey, guys! wow, it's been so long since i last read the site and only now i know that there is a blog and that i can still feel a little bit of this "food paradise" by coming here sometimes. I still think about you guys many times, always with the same love i felt for you all when i was there. and also because (i have to confess) you planted something on me: the desire of having my own restaurant. and the time is kind of knocking, because i cant stop thinking about it. do you have any plans to make ottolenghi an international chain?? hehehe....what about sao paulo???
well, i miss you guys and wish you a wonderful 2009!
all my love to Yotam, Noam and Sammy!!!
Danilo
Did you manage to try out Sushi Dai at the Tsukiji Market?
And I agree about Kanda Yabu Soba...fantastic stuff there and a great setting for a meal as well.
We did eat in Sushi Dai, too much I may add. Was beyond words.
Like your website.
I was in Japan a year ago. The food scene blew my mind away.