Author Archives: yumtravels

Endo Sushi

Posted in Osaka by

A little unknown secret is Endo Sushi, located in Osaka’s fish market. There is approximately only a 10 min wait. The place is small and they will seat you with strangers at the same table. They offer 5 different sushi sets options for ¥1050 each. Each set comes with 5 pieces if nigiri.

I got two sets. The first set came with kani (boiled crab), akagai (arc shell), hotate-bashira (scallop), toro, and tachiuo (hairtail). I looooved the sweetness of the scallop.

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My next set came with ika (squid), ikura (salmon roe),

sayori (halfbeak), toro, and sake (salmon). I chose this one because I’m a fan of halfbeak. Overall, the fish was super fresh and sweet.

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There are no individual soy sauce plates. It is custom to brush the soy sauce from the communal bowl onto your sushi. If you want miso soup, you can order it as a side.

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(1 Chome Noda, Fukushima Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan)

Sushi Dai


Be prepared to wait for Sushi Dai, one of the two acclaimed sushi restaurants at the Tsukiji fish market. By wait, I don’t mean 1-2 hours. I mean over FOUR hours. You have to be committed, or just wake up super early to be first in line. I got to Sushi Dai around 5 am and was immediately told it will be a four hour wait. So I waited….and waited….and waited 4.5 hours for:

Fresh and smooth toro

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Robot Restaurant

Posted in Tokyo by

When my friend first recommended Robot Restaurant to me, my first instinct was pass. Too loud. Looks like Vegas on steroids in one room. However when my friend said “Let’s go!”, I went along and I’m glad I did. Throughout the show it was “Wtf are they thinking?,” yet I was amazed by their musical ability, taiko drumming abilities, and dancing. Overall, it was thoroughly entertaining.

First, you check in here. 

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Then you go down the street and turn right to the entrance of the restaurant. Go upstairs and redeem your free drink, admission includes one free drink. Take a seat, but don’t get too comfortable, and enjoy the pre-show concert of robotic guitarists and singer.

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After about half an hour, you are instructed to head downstairs. Take your seat and enjoy the show!

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Before the show, you are instructed to lean back if you are in the first two rows. The stages can swipe your head off as they come by. They are THAT close.

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Taiko drumming battle.

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Everything is measured to the inch. The stage drops down with barely an inch left between you and the stage.

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Robot vs. animal battle ends with pyrotechnics. 

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“Ssssss”- snake robot

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Superman peacing out with his robot friend.

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We booked our reservations from here. 

The show comes with a sushi dinner option for an extra 1000 yen but we opted out due to reviews stating that it’s mediocre.

( ロボットレストラン Japan〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−7−1新宿ロボットビルB2)

Meiji Jingu

Posted in Tokyo by

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the souls of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

When you first enter, you will come across the huge Torii gate.

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As you follow the path, you will come across the sake and wine casks dedicated to Emperor Meiji. Each year a sake cask is donated by Meiji Jingu Nationwide Sake Brewers Association in hopes of prosperity.

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Emperor Meiji is known for embracing the Western culture and starting the modernization of Japan, which allowed Japan to become one of the world’s major power. Below are wine casks in commemoration of his radical actions of consuming Western food and enjoying wine with it. 

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Before you enter the shrine, it is custom to rinse your hands and mouth at the temizuya.

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Another Torii gate before you enter the shrine.

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Shrine entrance

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Alas the shrine.

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Write your wishes on an Ema, wooden tablet, and hang it under the tree.

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Shinto wedding procession at the shrine.

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Admission is free unless you plan on entering the treasure house, which displays the emperor’s and empress’ personal possessions, or inner garden.

(Japan〒151-0052 Tōkyō-to, Shibuya-ku, Yoyogikamizonochō, 1東京都渋谷区代々木神園町1)

Chibo

Posted in Oahu, Osaka by

Osaka’s Dotonburi district is know for okonomiyaki. We got lost looking for this place amongst the crowds in Shinsaibashi and walking around in the rain. Luckily, we found this on the row of restaurants in Dotonburi.

We ordered the oko tako, which is octopus wrapped in egg topped with teriyaki, mayonnaise and bonito flakes. I loved the bonito flakes because they were bursts of flavor compared to the bland ones I’ve had before.

On the okonomiyaki with everything i.e. beef, pork, octopus, and squid, we opted for the additional green onions and egg toppings. The okonomiyaki is plated on the grill in the middle of the table.

This is the location I went to 千房 道頓堀支店 Japan〒542-0071 Ōsaka-fu, Ōsaka-shi, but there are locations throughout Osaka and one in Oahu, Hawaii.

bills Sydney

While researching for a brunch place, the name bills Sydney, a famous Australian brunch place that has made its way to Tokyo, kept popping up. We decided to give it a try. Our first attempt was unsuccessful. We arrived at 10 am and they told us to come back at 1 pm. The wait was THAT long.

The next day, we tried to go again and only had to wait 20 minutes for a table. Not knowing what the to expect, we were in for a surprise. The food was AMAZING!

Sweet corn fritters, roast tomato, spinach, bacon and avocado salsa– The corn was naturally sweet and perfectly seasoned. I had to stop myself from gobbling it all up at once.

Ricotta hotcakes, banana and honeycomb butter– The fluffiest pancakes ever! Heavenly and not overly sweet. I can’t wait to try to recreate these. Or travel to have these again.

Tip: You can make reservations in advance. It’s located on the top floor of Tokyu Plaza.

(Tokyu Plaza, Omotesando Harajuku 7F, 4-30-3 Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0001)

If you can’t go to Japan to try these amazing hotcakes but happen to be in Hawaii, check out their Oahu location. (280 Beach Walk, Honolulu, HI 96815)

Girl & The Goat

One of the best meals you’ll ever have. Make reservations in advance. If you go in a group, I suggest you share everything so you can taste it all.

goat carpaccio, smoked trout roe, olive-maple vinaigrette

goat liver mousse, blueberry mostarda, pickled rhubarb- the crumpets were delicious!

escargot ravioli, bacon, tamarind-miso sauce

duck tongues, tuna and black bean poke, crispy wontons, piri piri

crisp braised pork shank, buttermilk dressing, grilled spring onion kimchee, naan- highly recommend this. It’s tender and falls apart easily.

wood oven roasted pig face, sunny side egg, tamarind, cilantro, red wine-maple, potato stix

(809 W. Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois)

The Purple Pig

Posted in Chicago by

Eat until your heart is content! Their menu focuses on all things pig. They also have a good selection of wine. I ordered the Rioja and it went down smooth as silk. So good that I came back here twice!

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Pork Liver Pate Smear

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Pig’s Ear with Crispy Kale, Pickled Cherry Peppers & Fried Egg- The best pork ears I’ve ever had.

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“JLT” Pork Jowl, Tomato, Frisee & Fried Duck Egg

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Roasted Bone Marrow with Herbs

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Turkey Leg Confit, Crispy Lentils, Treviso, Endive, & Agrodolce

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Pork Tripe Ala Parmigiana with Pork Skin Breadcrumbs

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Salt & Vinegar Beef Tendon Chips

(500 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611)

Maisen Tonkatsu

Maisen Tonkatsu, owned by the Suntory group, is an upscale dining version of tonkatsu. Is it worth it? Yes! Never had I had pork so tender and juicy that it reminded of filet mignon. The pigs they use comes from different regions of Japan and are raised with special conditions i.e. being fed a special diet of green tea or yams or raised for seven years. The menu goes into detail about each pig. Be sure to ask for an English menu to truly know what you are selecting.

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Above on the left is the Chamiton fillet with curry. It was the only curry option they had. They probably frown upon dousing the rich meat in curry but I was really craving curry that day. The Chamiton pig is raised with a diet of green tea. I wanted to try their specialty Kurobuta black pig so I ordered a small fillet on the side. It is juicer and meatier than the Chamiton. They also offer a special apple flavored sauce for the Kurobuta. If you want their Kurobuta meal set, go early as they only sell five sets a day. The Chamiton was about 1950 yen while the Kurobuta was about 3950 yen.

Like all good things in Japan, Maisen is a chain and can be found all around Tokyo even in the food halls in the basements of department stores.

The location I went to was Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 4-8-5.

Strawberry Red Bean Mochi 

 Who knew such a concoction exists but man am I glad it does. While waiting in line for Sushi Dai, I had spotted the kid in front of me eating this. Out of hunger, I went and purchased one. It was everything I love in one bite. The Japanese strawberry has a tart yet sweet flavor to it. Overall the mochi wasn’t too sweet. It was so good that I went and bought two more.

You can find them in the first stall in the row behind Sushi Dai at the Tsukiji Fish Market. The little old man hand makes them along with characters made out of kidney and red bean paste. 

(Chuo, Tokyo, Japan)