Menko Ushio Awajicho (麺巧 潮)

Ramen early in the morning at Menko Ushio Awajicho (麺巧 潮).

I ordered the tori paitan soba, which costs 870 yen. 

This was yummy. I love paitan soup as it was flavourful and delicious. 

This is pretty filling actually.

J got this fancy one with lots of duck meat for 1270 yen. That fried stick is actually asparagus wrapped in pork and it was yummy. Also, the roast pork that they used was good and not too fatty.

After that, we decided to go to Naka-Meguro, to visit the Starbucks Reserve there for a 2nd time.

I am glad that we did because the experience this time was so much better than the first.

This time, there was no queue and we got a nice seat, as in a proper seat immediately.

We got to order quickly and didn't have to wait long for our drinks. So happy because of this, the experience was so much better and even the cakes and tea felt like they tasted better.

But anyways, these 2 tarts above are absolutely delicious. Love them so much that I visit Starbucks just for them.

 

Pan mee in Japan

Arriving early in the morning at Shimo-kitazawa for pan mee at 圧延 Japan Mee.

We arrived so early that the shop wasn't ready to accept us because they don't have the noodles prepared yet.

Website: https://japanmee.com/

So we went to a nearby cafe --Sunday Brunch for cakes.

heehee....having desserts first before the main meal.

Website: https://www.sundaybrunch.co.jp/

They have some pretty looking cakes and while the place was busy, we were lucky that we managed to get a seats for 6 of us.

Both the cakes were not bad and looks like some old school cake.

Finally, it was time to get back to the shop and they were still not ready, but the worker was nice enough to let us wait inside.

Here are the different kind of noodles that we can choose from.

I ordered the small pan mee, which costs 600 yen. While it was different from the chilli pan mee that I know, the taste was not bad. I thought that it was interesting that we could get some sort of sakura ebi kind of sambal that I bought a small tupperware of it home to add to noodles at home.

Meanwhile, J really liked it. So much that he ordered a second bowl!

It was interesting to learn that the owner learned this in Malaysia and decide to start this business here in Japan. If you miss pan mee, do drop by this place and give it a try. 

Work trip & dinner

Work tri to Tokuyama and this is the view from my hotel room. 

You can see the factories in the background.

Was treated to a nice dinner by my colleague that night at an izakaya called Maruni (マルニ).

Website: https://japanese-izakaya-restaurant-10118.business.site/

The shop was small and a little cramped. The next table was very close to ours. However, the food was really good.

The presentation was also beautiful. I like all the plates that they used which had an abstract design to them. Also they were really heavy.

I would definitely love to return when everything has calmed down.

This here was the view from my Shinkansen on the way back the next day. The sky was absolutely beautiful.

On the weekend, I was crazy for something familiar and laksa it was!

The taste was not bad but they used a lot of coconut milk in this laksa so you feel jelak very easily.

 

Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles 蔦

Here at Tsuta Japanese Soba Noodles 蔦 on a weekend.

Website: https://www.tsuta79.tokyo/menu

We arrived before they opened on a rainy day and there was already a short queue in front of the shop.

They are famous for being a 1 star Michelin ramen shop.

We went to this branch near Yoyogi-Uehara station which serves fancy ramen. Looking at the price, you know that it will be fancy.

The inside of the shop looks like this now.

I ordered the Signature soy sauce ramen. 

The signature ones come with A5 Wagyu, premium chicken peking duck style, premium seasoned egg, roast pork and kujo green onion.

TJ ordered their signature clam chowder dipping ramen.

Look at how fancy the ramen looked. The clam chowder was super good on its own. I can easily finish a bowl by myself.

Overall, the food was good but definitely on the expensive side for ramen. However, if you are into fancy ramen, this is the place for you.

After lunch, we went to Minimal Tomigaya to get some bar chocolate.

Website: https://mini-mal.tokyo/

They are famous for chocolate that is made from only cacao and beet sugar. Their chocolate is not smooth and have a rough texture to it because of the beet sugar, but I really like it because of this rough texture that gives some layer to the 'mouth feel' of the chocolate.

 

Cova Italian Restaurant

Back at Cova again.

This time with my colleagues.

The menu for the day.

As usual the chicken appetizer with foie gras powder is yummy.

This is the marinated katsuo, which was supper appetizing.

For pasta, I picked the beef pasta with young corn, in cream sauce. The fettucine was home made and was super good.

With my colleagues. This was a farewell lunch for Naomi.

This fancy dish here with foam is actually a fish dish. So fancy!

Lastly, dessert was ice cream with muscat jelly. This was one of the best dessert I had there and super refreshing, especially for the hot summer.

As always, we are served a small cannalle and caramel to go with our coffee and tea.

My colleagues even had wine with the lunch course which they really enjoyed!