Last night was all about Shabu-Shabu! 🍲 I love how interactive it is. You take these super thin slices of meat and vegetables and just "swish-swish" (that's what "shabu-shabu" means!) them in the boiling, savory dashi broth. They cook in seconds! The flavor is so fresh. Highly recommend trying this Japanese experience with friends. 🤤
Hey everyone, just had an incredible bowl of ramen in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, and I had to share. This is from a local-favorite shop called Tsukino Tokage (月の兎影).🐰🌙🍜
https://www.instagram.com/tsukitoka_official?igsh=MTh3NzFrdTEwMGloMg==&igsi=MTh3NzFrdTEwMGloMg==
This place is known for its Ushio (seafood broth) Ramen, which is packed with asari clams and is simply exquisite. It's so popular with the locals that they often close early when they run out of soup.
But my favorite is their Soy Milk Ushio Ramen (豆乳潮ラーメン). The second photo🍜
It uses a rich soy milk base, creating a thick, creamy broth that tastes almost exactly like a rich ramen version of clam chowder! (Check the photos!)
Originally, this soy milk version was a limited-time winter-only menu item. However, it became so incredibly popular that they decided to make it a regular, year-round fixture.
If you are a fan of rich, unique broths, or if you just love clam chowder and ramen, this is a must-try. If you ever find yourself visiting Matsumoto Castle, make sure to add Tsukino Tokage to your food list!
Had an amazing time at Sushiro enjoying their Hello Kitty collaboration! The whole restaurant was decked out in cute Hello Kitty themes, and even the touchscreens had adorable animations. The sushi and dessert were super tasty and totally photogenic. Eating great sushi surrounded by Kitty-chan vibes was so wholesome—definitely recommend checking it out if you get the chance!
Decided to grab a quick bite while shopping at the iCITY 21 mall in Yamagata Village (Nagano), and ended up discovering absolute pure comfort food!
This spot is Kowloon (中華料理 九龍) in the food court—a satellite branch of a well-known local Chinese restaurant. Honestly, I didn't expect much from a mall setup, but this White Tantanmen (白担々麺) completely blew my mind:
The Broth: Ridiculously creamy and thick sesame base with a perfect swirl of chili oil and savory spiced pork. Deep, nutty, and velvety.
The Gyoza: Freshly grilled with crispy golden bottoms and juicy filling—the ultimate pairing.
The Tuesday Bonus: Their Tuesday special knocked the set down from ¥1,100 to just ¥990!
iCITY 21 is packed with amazing regional Nagano snacks and local souvenirs, so wandering around before diving into this bowl was the perfect local road trip stop (you'll want a car to get here!).
If you ever find yourself road-tripping around Nagano/Matsumoto, definitely keep an eye out for this hidden gem!
If you ever visit Nagano, you have to skip the big nationwide chains and check out Tenho (テンホウ), our ultimate local soul food spot!
This is their classic Tantanmen paired with crispy Gyoza. What makes Tenho's gyoza so special is the subtle hint of star anise—it gives them a totally unique, addictive flavor that keeps locals hooked.
Also, 3D/puffy stickers are having a huge moment in Japan right now, and Tenho actually released their own sticker sheets featuring hyper-realistic mini versions of their menu and cute crane mascot! Aren't they adorable?
Definitely add Tenho to your bucket list if you're traveling through Nagano!🍜🥟✨
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db715gSpYTA/?igsh=ajluY2oyNjh5M2Mx&igsi=ajluY2oyNjh5M2Mx
If you're into Jiro-style ramen, Senrigan (near Higashi-Kitazawa / Komaba-Todaimae) is an absolute must-visit.
During the summer, they serve their iconic Hiyashi Mazesoba (Chilled brothless ramen), and it is mind-blowing. It comes loaded with fresh crunchy veggies, a punch of garlic, creamy dressing, and their signature Kara-age (spicy crunchy tempura bits that add an incredible texture and kick).
The line here is notoriously long, especially in the summer heat. Expect to wait anywhere from 1 to 2+ hours, but trust me, it’s 100% worth every minute.
If you’re in Tokyo during summer, don't miss out on this bowl!
http://www.ramenjun.co.jp/shop/
🍜 Niigata's "Big Five" Ramen Overview
1. Tsubame-Sanjo Back-Fat Niboshi Ramen (燕三条 背脂系ラーメン) (Featured in photo)
Characteristics: Created for local factory workers.
Broth & Noodles: A rich, heavy soy sauce soup packed with dried sardine (niboshi) dashi, topped with a thick layer of pork back-fat (seabura) that keeps the soup piping hot. Paired with extra-thick, chewy noodles.
Toppings: Large chopped onions, bamboo shoots, chashu, and rock seaweed (iwanori).
2. Nagaoka Ginger Soy Sauce Ramen (長岡生姜醤油ラーメン)
Characteristics: Born to warm up locals during harsh snowy winters.
Broth & Noodles: A clear, dark soy sauce broth infused with a sharp, refreshing ginger kick, paired with medium-thick curly noodles.
3. Niigata City Rich Miso Ramen (新潟濃厚味噌ラーメン)
Characteristics: An intensely rich miso style tailored to the local taste.
Broth & Noodles: Served with thick, flat noodles and a small side bowl of fish dashi, allowing customers to dilute the thick miso soup to their liking.
4. Sanjo Curry Ramen (三条カレーラーメン)
Characteristics: A historic style with over 80 years of local tradition.
Broth & Noodles: Thick noodles served in a rich Japanese curry soup (or topped with thick curry sauce).
5. Niigata Light Shoyu Ramen (新潟あっさり醤油ラーメン)
Characteristics: The traditional, old-school style originating from Niigata City's Furumachi district.
Broth & Noodles: A crystal-clear, delicate chicken and seafood stock paired with ultra-thin, smooth noodles.
The highest peak of Hakata Ichikosha in the world Bubble-based tonkotsu ramen
You can feel the umami and bone taste of pork bones, It is finished in a creamy and mellow soup. The "bubbles" floating on the surface of the soup are finely finished.