Japan Day 2: Tokyo - Shibuya, Hachiko, and an Izakaya

Shibuya Crossing

Friends in Tokyo say it's strange why Shibuya crossing has become a tourist attraction. You'd see there a bunch of tourists taking selfies as people cross the street. Strangely enough despite the huge number of people crossing, it's not an ire to walk along and everything is still in an ever orderly Japanese manner. 

Hachiko

Right next to the crossing is the statue of the famous "Hachiko". Sorry for being such a tourist and posing next to him. 

First time Izakaya

After quick snaps, my friend and I headed to an Izakaya where we drank and dined for a good 3-hours. These Izakayas in Japan are sort of like buffet gastro-pubs where you order ala-carte style and is given an amount of time to stay in a restaurant.

He introduced me to edamame (young soybeans) which is quite common as an appetizer in Japan. You don't eat the whole thing! Just pop out the beans inside and discard the pod. I liked it a lot! Good texture and flavor from the salt. My favorite version was the one in Asakusa which was wasabi flavored. 

Edamame with salt

As my Japanese friends have pointed out, Japanese dishes are served in small portions and are nicely laid out. I liked the karaage which had small tendons inside providing a good bite and texture. 

Salmon and mackerel?

Yakitori

Karaage

 On top of the unlimited orders of food, free flowing drinks as well for 3 hours. 

Kanpai!

Refreshing chicken and cucumber

Savory eggroll!

Thin pork, scallion, and wasabi-mustard. Oishi!

Ham-katsu, too thick. Space waster. :(

Octopus sashimi, too tough and slimy

Salmon? yes please!

Arigato gozaimasu Xave-san! 

Fried fish with kewpie mayo, delicious!

My friend paid for the meal which was around 7,000yen for two. Given the quality of the food and the steep Tokyo prices, I felt this was a good deal. To end the night we had apple-pie cobbler and peach ice cream. Subtle tastes but excellent meal ender! 

Apple pie cobbler

Peach ice cream

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