Disclosure: I’m an affiliate partner of A Chef’s Tour, meaning I earn a small commission from bookings through my links. I truly appreciate your support in keeping this blog running!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I love food tours, especially when I’m traveling. So, it made sense to try a food tour in the Philippines. We specifically wanted to go on a food tour in Manila’s Chinatown, called Binondo.

A Chef’s Tour

When you’re traveling, food tours are a great way to give you the lay of the land in a new location. They teach you about local cuisine, culture, and history. You’re guided by a local who can give you more insight and will show you all the best spots. It’s a meal and a history lesson all in one.

A Chef’s Tour has food tours throughout Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These tours are a few hours long with multiple stops to visit restaurants and see significant sights. Local foodies work with the founders to research the best eats in an area. Yes, the research involves a lot of eating! There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination to determine the final route and stops.

Food tours are great for adventurous people who love to eat. You’ll learn a lot while enjoying some of the best bites along the way!

Manila Food Tour

When it comes to food tours in Manila, Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown and the world’s oldest Chinatown, is the place to try Chinese-Filipino fusion cuisine. We enjoyed exploring the area with and learning history from Jace, our tour guide and a Filipino local.

You’ll get a mix of places on this tour, including a convenience store, a dim sum restaurant, an alley food stall, and an ice cream shop. Many of them are recognized with being a long-standing restaurant, and one stop is even the oldest restaurant in Manila!

Here’s where we stopped on our tour.

Polland Hopia Factory – making baked goods since 1966. We enjoyed a kuchai empanada – empanada with pork and chive filling.

Ying Ying Tea House – a favorite spot for Cantonese dim sum and barbecue. We had dumplings and barbecue pork here.

New Po Heng – alleyway shop known for its fresh lumpia

Toho Panciteria Antigua – the oldest restaurant in Manila, established in 1888. We tried their fried lumpia, pancit (noodles), and fried rice.

Big Scoop – a classic ice cream shop where you can get halo-halo

Between our food stops, we did some sightseeing, including a walk through the Minor Basilica and National Shrine of San Lorenzo Ruiz, commonly known as Binondo Church. We also took a fun tuk-tuk ride through the neighborhood.

Are you ready to book your Manila food tour?!

Book Your Food Tour

If you want to book a food tour when you travel, check out A Chef’s Tour. They have tours across Asia, Latin America, and Africa, and are expanding to South America and Europe. Book your tour here.

Looking for food tours in other places? Here are some posts to read:

• Why Take a Food Tour When You Travel
• Most Inspiring Travel Experiences in the Last Decade of Adventures
• Eating and Drinking in Mexico City

The post A Chef’s Tour for Foodies – Manila Food Tour appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Toyo Eatery

If you know anything about fine dining in the Philippines, you know Toyo Eatery. Chef Jordy Navarra and his wife, May, opened the restaurant in 2016. Toyo, the Tagalog word for soy sauce, is a nod to their dedication to Filipino cuisine and purveyors. The way they highlight local ingredients and honor Filipino dishes and techniques illustrates the beauty of their menus.

When it comes to design, the restaurant is industrial chic with concrete edges, soft lighting, and touches of greenery. A glass partition separates two dining rooms. One room offers a closer view of the bustling exhibition kitchen, while the other houses the bar. In this fine dining restaurant, they create a casual feel with hip-hop music and simple uniforms. The service is attentive, kind, and gracious, and you get the feeling that the team is truly a family.

Toyo Eatery has been winning awards from the World’s 50 Best Restaurants since 2018, including the Best Restaurant in the Philippines for the last six years, and it earned a Michelin star when the guide arrived in Manila in 2025. They also made Asia’s Best Restaurants list; they are 71st out of 100 on the 2025 list.

Menu at Toyo Eatery

Toyo Eatery presents Filipino food through masterful dishes full of complementary and bright flavors. Their partnerships with farmers and producers

There are two menus at the restaurant: the 8-course tasting and the kamayan menu. They serve the kamayan menu from 6-8 pm and the tasting menu at 8:15 and 8:30 pm seatings.

Kamayan is a traditional, casual, communal Filipino feast. They present food on banana leaves, and guests eat with their hands. Toyo Eatery’s kamayan menu features seafood, pork, rice, and dessert, and they cannot accommodate dietary restrictions.

While the tasting menu is advertised as 8 courses, you technically receive 21 different dishes, including 5 desserts! While a few things are lighter at 2 or 3 bites, the meal is hearty overall, so get ready to feast.

Tasting Menu – Savory Dishes

This was a fantastic meal featuring a variety of Filipino dishes and flavors.

Gulay at Sabaw (Vegetables and Soup) – The first dish was a delightful soup made from vegetable trimmings. The table centerpiece features the vegetables in this dish.

The second part was a do-it-yourself lumpia featuring a variety of vegetables under dehydrated vegetables made to look like soil.

Halaan (Clam Soup)

Sawsawan (Dipping Sauce) – The next section featured their dipping sauce. Our server encouraged us to try shrimp two ways (poached and fried) with and without the sauce.

Mga Kilaw (Filipino Ceviche) – This course featured three different dishes. The mackerel was lightly “cooked” with vinegar like a ceviche. The disc was crunchy with goat floss on top. Cooked similarly to the mackerel, the tuna was finished with pickles and coconut cream. Next came grilled barbecue pork skewers.

Saluyot, Okra, Labanos at Pipino (Jute leaves, Okra, Radish, and Cucumber) – They presented a broth featuring typical Filipino vegetables in a cool bowl, and it was a good way to segway into the next dish.

Kabute, Kamatis, Kamias, Mangga, Soy Beans (Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Sour Tamarind, Mango, Soy Beans) – This vegetable dish was one of my favorites. It featured hearty grilled oyster mushrooms with a presentation of a soy bean base and a bright orange sauce.

Alimasag, Gata, Palapa (Crab, Coconut Milk, Sweet and Spicy Condiment) – The next dish was one of their most innovative. It featured steamed blue crab, a coconut milk sauce, and crispy fried shallots. Again, our server encouraged us to try each section on its own before combining them to create different flavor profiles.

Silog sa Palayok (Garlic Fried Rice in a Clay Pot) – A staple of Filipino cuisine, Toyo Eatery’s variation of garlic fried rice also includes corn and greens.

Chicken, Cassia Leaf, Paminta (Chicken, Cassia Leaf, Black Pepper)

Pinirito at Ensalada (Fried Fish and Light Salad)

Tasting Menu – Sweet Dishes

Finally, it’s time for dessert! I was excited for multiple dishes.

Tostadong Bigas (Toasted rice) – This rice pudding was like a halo-halo variation with jellies and shaved ice layered in.

Palitaw (Sweet Rice Cake) – While palitaw is a traditional rice cake, this version was more like a pudding.

Leche Flan Ice Cream at Asin Tibuok (Leche Flan Ice Cream with Sea Salt) – Made with seawater and coconut husks, “dinosaur egg” sea salt is handcrafted in the Bohol region. Our server ground the salt onto the ice cream tableside.

Cassava at Tsokolate (Cassava cake and chocolate) – To finish the meal, we enjoyed traditional cassava cake and chocolate bonbons.

It’s hard to pick a favorite dish! My favorite savory dish was the Mga Kilaw bites, and my favorite sweet dish was the palitaw.

How to Make a Reservation

Reservations release every Thursday at 3 pm Manila time, three weeks in advance. They share their release schedule on Tock, the booking website they use.

I set my alarm for 2 am Austin, TX, USA time and had no issue getting a reservation for the day I wanted. Comparatively, there were still reservations available six hours later, at 8 am, but only for limited days and times.

There are two dining options at Toyo Eatery. The 8-course tasting menu is ₱6,500 per person (about $106 USD) while the kamayan menu is ₱3,900 per person (about $64 USD). These prices are inclusive of 12% VAT and exclusive of 10% service charge. With the service charge, the price is about $117 USD for the tasting menu and $70 USD for the kamayan menu.

How to Get to Toyo Eatery

Toyo Eatery is located at The Alley at Karrivin in Makati. You’ll find the development, which has a couple of art galleries and restaurants, tucked back from the main street in a tight parking lot. Use the address for The Alley for the clearest wayfinding.

Now that you have all the details, if you find yourself traveling to Manila, make plans to visit Toyo Eatery. You won’t be disappointed!

Toyo Eatery
2316 Chino Roces Ave, Makati City, 1231 Metro Manila, Philippines
https://toyoeatery.com/

Want to try more great restaurants in Asia? See these posts:

• Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan
• Dining at Nahm in Bangkok, Thailand
• Dining at Room 4 Dessert in Ubud, Indonesia

The post Dining at Toyo Eatery in Manila, Philippines appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

This post shares some of the things you’ll find on a traditional Guatemalan menu and some of the restaurants I visited. I’ve also included some of the restaurants I bookmarked and didn’t have time for, if you need more recommendations.

Foods to Try in Guatemala

If you’ve traveled in Central America or enjoyed Latin American food, you may recognize some familiar or similar dishes. Here are some of my observations on the dishes we had.

Corn Tortillas

I typically prefer flour tortillas over corn, but if these corn tortillas were the norm, I would order them every time! They are slightly thicker but not grainy. They’re typically served with a meal, especially if there are runny eggs and soups. They also take these and make thick tortilla chips.

Coffee

Did you know Guatemala is the 10th largest coffee exporter in the world? Yes, you’ll love the coffee here, and it’s not hard to find! In the cities I visited, there were coffee shops everywhere and you can even seek out a coffee farm to visit. Many times, we found the coffee didn’t need milk, just a bit of sugar. (Pictured below are delicious lattes from Cafe Loco in Panajachel.)

Typical Breakfast

Similar to other Central American countries like Costa Rica or Belize, a typical breakfast includes eggs, refried beans, fried plantains, and a slice of cheese. Don’t forget the coffee!

Pupusa

A pupusa is thicker than a tostada but crunchier than a tortilla. A pupusa is also typically filled in addition to topped, while a tostada is only topped. These originated in El Salvador.

Avocado/Guacamole

The “oro verde” (green gold) as one local called it. It is delicious! We enjoyed it as guacamole most of the time but also liked it as a side accompaniment and on toast.

Tostada

You’ve likely had a tostada. Imagine a big, circular, crunchy tortilla chip topped with goodness. For breakfast, you might see these tostadas with a spread of black beans and a fried egg.

Flan

You might have had it before and you should try it! (Pictured below is flan from Barriga Llena in Antigua.)

International/Western Food

I was surprised to see the prevalence of international and Western food options. During our trip, we enjoyed French toast, pizza, pasta, and croissants. This speaks to the influence of tourism in these cities.

Restaurants to Try in Guatemala

Here are some restaurants you should bookmark for your trip!

Antigua

Barriga Llena – This casual and trendy spot served a great meal. They focus on traditional dishes and local ingredients but may add a twist.

Arrin Guan – This restaurant hit the spot for a spontaneous breakfast

El Comalote – This restaurant highlights their native corn and you can taste it through their tortillas. Their pepian casserole was flavorful, and they had huge horchatas.

Nanik – This fancier restaurant has been getting recognition from multiple media outlets for its elevated dishes and creativity. While a few dishes and the cocktails were excellent, the second half of our meal had us leaving before dessert. It was about $150 for three cocktails, two appetizers, and two entrees.

Antigua Brewing Company – This is a solid brewery with a great rooftop

Ulew Cocktail Bar – While the presentation and theatrics are fun, this popular speakeasy cocktail bar located inside Antigua Brewing Company left flavor to be desired when we enjoyed four different cocktails. (Not sure if it was the bar or the bartender.) I guess the plus side was that the four cocktails cost $25 total. Expect funny drink platters, colorful drinks, and definitely smoke.

Siena Luz – We enjoyed coffee and a light breakfast in the lovely courtyard here. The cafe is also a bookstore.

Panadería Le fournil – Stopped in here for some very tasty French pastries. We had trouble finding a Guatemalan bakery, but this was a great consolation

Cafe Sol – We ran out of time to make it here, but this is a cute coffee shop

Caoba Farms Restaurant – Didn’t make it here since it’s a little farther to walk from Central Antigua, but it’s known for fresh eats on a farm

Luna del Miel – I had bookmarked this spot for crepes

Panajachel

Deli Jasmin – There are many recommendations for this restaurant, and here’s another! It has nice outdoor, garden seating, and I really enjoyed the chicken sandwich with fresh vegetables.

Cafe Loco – This coffee shop was excellent! It only has eight seats, but you can also take it to-go. It was started by a Korean man who helps export coffee beans around the world and is a local and traveler favorite.

Jose Pinguinos – We were intrigued by the live music the night before and came back for dinner. The meal was great, and it felt like one of the most Guatemalan meals of our trip.

7 Caldos – This restaurant is a chain, so it can be found in multiple cities. While it’s a tad more expensive, we enjoyed their breakfast.

San Pedro La Laguna

Sababa – Looking for a quick snack, we stopped here for a pasta dish (mediocre) and a sticky bun (pretty good). Their restaurant and bakery are separate, so you can’t order things from the other, but each spot has a great open-air view of the lake.

San Marcos La Laguna

Circles – We stopped here for a pastry and coffee slushie. It’ll be packed with foreign travelers, probably coming after their yoga class, but their French pastries (strawberry croissant) are solid.

Konojel Restaurant – This restaurant is run by a non-profit that provides jobs and training for women.

Il Giardino – This Italian restaurant was where we stopped for dinner. It was good but not memorable.

San Juan La Laguna

Cafe El Pajarero – This was a nice spot for a simple typical breakfast post hiking 

Nativo – We enjoyed resting and snacking here. The avocado toast and fruit smoothie were delicious.

We spent our 9-day trip eating and drinking around Guatemala and enjoyed all the flavors we got to try! I’ll be searching for great Guatemalan coffee in Austin and hoping to try the Guatemalan restaurants in town.

Plan the rest of your Guatemala trip with these posts:

• 9 Best Things to Do in Guatemala
• Guatemala Travel Guide + 1-Week Itinerary
• Guide to the Acatenango Volcano Hike in Guatemala

P.S. Trying food in different countries is one of my favorite things. Check out these posts or the travel eats page:

• 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan
• Eating and Drinking in Mexico City
• Eating and Drinking in Belize
• Best Restaurants in Dominica

The post Eating and Drinking in Guatemala + Favorite Restaurants appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Here’s a quick rundown of our trip:

• 48 hours
• 20 miles walked
• 22 food stops including
• 10 spots for sweets
• 7 spots for drinks
• 4 restaurants
• 10ish? stores

It was a packed trip and we were exhausted by the end, but we made many great memories!

Sights We Saw – Places We Visited

One of the big reasons we came in December was to experience the city in holiday decor. It was special to walk around and see lights everywhere. It was busy though, so I recommend visiting on weekdays if possible.

Bryan Park Holiday Market – This outdoor market has many booths with vendors selling art, gifts, and food.

Rockefeller Center – You have to stop and see the famous tree. This year’s was 74 feet tall and 43 feet wide with 50,000 lights and a 900 lb star on top!

5th Avenue Lights – This street is known for its storefront holiday displays. Plus you can do some shopping.

Central Park – This is a lovely spot for a morning winter stroll. Grab a coffee before you go! Stop and watch ice skaters, admire the 42 arches and bridges, and take photos of the city skyline.

Shopping in Greenwich Village and Soho – These neighborhoods have plenty of clothing stores.

Little Market NYC – We passed by and found a charm bracelet bar. Of course, we made charm bracelets with a matching charm to commemorate the trip.

Times Square – Ideally, we wouldn’t stop here because it’s so busy, but check it out if you haven’t experienced it. We came to visit two specific shops – The Fantastic World of Portuguese Sardine and Line Friends.

Vessel – This landmark opened in 2019. We didn’t go up, but if you’d like to, be sure to get tickets. The structure is 16 stories high with 2,500 steps and 80 landings for photos.

Things We Ate

Is eating at 22 spots in 48 hours…too much? We almost thought so but it was all tasty! And walking 20 miles around the city got us pretty hungry. So, here’s what we ate during the trip.

Bryant Park Market

• Apple Cider Donut from Breezy Hill Orchard
• Ube Mochi Cookie and Pandan Mochi Bar from The Boiis Co
• Jian Bing from Jian Dumpling

The holiday market at Bryant Park was our first stop after dropping our bags at the hotel. We stopped at three different booths. There are several holiday markets around the city, and this is a fun thing to put on the schedule.

Seafood Pancake, Tofu Soup, and Woodae Galbi at Rib No. 7

The only reservation we had was at this Korean barbecue restaurant. The Woodae Galbi was excellent!

Cocktails and Basque Cheesecake at Harta 

Our nightcap back at our hotel was cocktails and a slice of basque cheesecake.

Lattes at % Arabica

We needed caffeine to get our day started and these lattes were delicious!

Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie at Levain Bakery

This just might be the best cookie I’ve ever eaten! Lightly crispy on the outside, perfect flavors, and plenty of chocolate chips.

Strawberry Fruit Sando, Matcha Mochi Donuts, and Egg Sando at Postcard Bakery

One of our favorite stops, this Japanese bakery delivered three outstanding items. I loved that the fruit sando wasn’t milk bread but cake! And the egg sando had perfect filling.

Pizza at L’Industrie Pizzeria

You can’t go to New York City without eating pizza! And this spot was worth the short wait in line.

Strawberry Matcha at Boba Guys

We walked by Boba Guys and had to stop for a strawberry matcha. They were kind enough to divide it into three cups for us.

Juice at Joe and the Juice

We stopped here for a juice, mainly so we could use the restroom! But Janna said her juice was good.

Cupcake at Little Cupcake Bakeshop

I’ve seen accolades about this being one of the best bakeries but sadly we were very disappointed by our cookies and cream cupcake.

Churros at La Churreria

We stopped in for some churro bites. Good but not too special. Perhaps one of their specials or filled churros are better?

Beef Noodle Soup and Dumplings at Shu Jiao Fuzhou

This was one of our cheapest meals! A small bowl of noodle soup with beef and 12 dumplings for $13. It’s cash only.

Rooftop Cocktails at Bar Cima

This was rated one of the best rooftop bars in NYC and we could see why: very stylish decor and views of the Empire State Building. The cocktails were good too. We didn’t have reservations but got there earlier in the night.

Ube Eclair, Sugar Cookie Cruffin, Passionfruit Curd Donut, and Chocolate Croissant at Supermoon Bakeshop

We picked up pastries to eat later and these were delicious! Definitely a bakery I would return to.

Rooftop Cocktails at Daintree

While I liked Bar Cima more, Daintree is a few blocks away and also has views of the Empire State Building. I would recommend getting here before 9 pm if you don’t have a reservation.

Latte at Blue Bottle Coffee

This brand is only in four cities in the world and Janna said the shakerato is great!

Matcha Latte at Matchaful

I saw this was one of the best places for matcha in the city. It was tasty and I bought some matcha to enjoy at home.

Lox Bagel Sandwich at Russ and Daughters

I would come back for this bagel sandwich! It ticked all the boxes and was so delicious. It’s counter service, so expect a wait.

Strawberry Matcha Crepe Cake at Lady M Cakes

This slice of cake was so delicately flavorful and delightful. Perfectly flavored with strawberry and matcha.

Sandwiches from Heritage Grand Bakery

We got this to-go and ate them at the airport for a late lunch/early dinner. It hit the spot! They also have lots of baked goods and seating so it would be a solid place for lunch.

Quick Notes

Here are some things to know for your next future trip.

• Go on a weekday for cheaper flights and a less busy city. But flights and hotels will be pricey – about $450 for a non-stop, roundtrip flight from Austin and $400+ a night per person for a hotel.
• We stayed at Grayson Hotel (a Hyatt property). I recommend it for the Midtown location.
• Dress in layers and wear a beanie or earmuffs
• Getting from JFK Airport to Downtown:
  • Taxis at the airport are at a fixed rate of $70 + taxes and fees to come out to $98 per car
  • Rideshare is about $90-100 per car
  • Subway will be $13-19 per person
• If you’re serious about visiting specific places (like we were), map out those places to plan out an efficient schedule. Traveling around the city takes time.

Thanks for reading through my trip recap and I hope you enjoy some of these great eateries on your next trip to NYC!

Want more travel inspiration? Click to read these posts:

• 10 Best Things to Do in Dominica – Caribbean’s Nature Island
• My Bachelorette Party in San Antonio
• Best Things to Do in Washington, DC
• Cozumel Dive Trip with Cenotes, Whale Sharks, and Resort Life

The post 48 Hours in NYC – Here’s What We Ate and Saw appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

One of my best friends has lived in Nashville for nearly two decades and I’ve been lucky to visit multiple times. Every visit is a little different, from young college kid to adult foodie, and it’s been fun returning and discovering more. This list includes places I visited on two visits in the last decade.

See below for recommendations on Nashville food, sweets, and drinks.

FOOD

Audrey

The flagship restaurant of Chef Sean Brock, Audrey celebrates traditional southern food inspired by his Appalachian roots. Named after his maternal grandmother, this restaurant has classic dishes on its menu like cornbread and grits, but the final presentation is elevated by quality ingredients and creative chefs. Their tasting menu, The Feast, is eight dishes served family-style for $75 per person. We were thrilled with the variety and size of the dishes and left very pleased with the meal.

Offering: Dinner, happy hour, weekend brunch

Neighborhood: Northeast, Mcferrin Park

Address: 809 Meridian St, Nashville, TN 37207

Website: https://www.audreynashville.com/

Cafe Roze

This hip yet low-key spot was great for a spontaneous dinner. I’ll be wishing for the smoked trout dip and steak and frites. Both were excellent and among the best eats we enjoyed in Nashville.

Offering: Lunch, happy hour, dinner

Neighborhood: Eastwood

Address: 1115 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

Website: https://www.caferoze.com/

Five Points Pizza

My friends tell me this is the best pizza in Nashville! I couldn’t verify since it’s the only pizza I had in Nashville but I really enjoyed it. I like that you can get it by the slice and the slices are huge! They have two locations.

Offering: Lunch, dinner

Neighborhood: West, East

Address: 1012 Woodland St, Nashville, TN 37206 and 4100 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209

Website: https://fivepointspizza.com/

Prince’s Hot Chicken

Known as the original Nashville hot chicken, Prince’s Hot Chicken has seven locations and counting. We tried the X Hot (2 more levels after this) and it was pretty spicy. I think medium or hot would have had better flavor and you don’t want to order tenders.

Offering: Lunch, dinner

Neighborhood: Multiple, including downtown and the airport

Address: See locations here

Website: https://www.princeshotchicken.com

Hattie B’s Hot Chicken

While Hattie B’s Hot Chicken has expanded outside of Tennesee (yes, even Austin!), it continues to be a go-to hot chicken spot in Nashville. They have five levels of spicy, from no spice (Southern) to mouth-on-fire spicy (Shut the Cluck Up). I had the medium but probably wouldn’t have minded more heat. Also, you don’t want to miss the Pimento Mac & Cheese! Their banana pudding is also a guest favorite.

Offering: Spicy Fried Chicken for lunch and dinner

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: Midtown Nashville (original location): 112 19th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203 plus 4 locations in Nashville

Website: https://www.hattieb.com/

Far East Nashville

What a great vermicelli bowl! I had the Bun Fareast with Vietnamese BBQ pork and it came with vermicelli, crispy egg roll, shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, Vietnamese pickled daikon and carrot, sliced cucumber, basil and cilantro. We also started with the tofu fresh rolls, and Abbie got the pork banh mi.

Offering: Vietnamese cuisine, including bun, banh mi, and pho

Neighborhood: East, Watkins Park

Address: 614 18TH Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Website: http://www.fareastnashville.com/

Frothy Monkey

Frothy Monkey is one of the most popular coffee shops in Nashville with multiple locations. They roast their beans so you know they’re serious about their coffee. They’re also a cafe so you can come for a casual meal.

Offering: Coffee; Full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 4 locations in Nashville

Website: http://frothymonkey.com

Barista Parlor

We were advised by a local to find the best biscuits here and they did not disappoint! This sleek, modern, and hipster coffee shop is the perfect place to wake up slowly.

Offering: Coffee and snacks

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 6 locations in Nashville

Website: https://baristaparlor.com/

SWEETS

Five Daughter’s Bakery

Yes, this bakery is worth all the hype! The 100 Layer Donut (a croissant donut) takes three days to make. You can never go wrong with a Quinn, their version of a kouign amaan. If you’re paleo or vegan, they have treats for you too.

Offering: Baked goods

Neighborhood: Multiple

Address: 6 locations in Nashville. See them here.

Website: http://www.fivedaughtersbakery.com/

Hattie Jane’s Creamery

This small-batch creamery is a Tennesee original and uses local dairy for their ice cream. They have two locations in Nashville, including one at Assembly Food Hall, one in Murfeesboro, and one in Columbia. I enjoyed their classic flavor Cookie Jar Supreme with cookies, brownies, and Oreos.

Offering: Ice cream

Neighborhood: Downtown, Donelson

Address: 5055 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203 and 2418 Lebanon Pk, Nashville, TN 37124

Website: https://hattiejanescreamery.com/

Baked on 8th

This bakery is currently being renovated but you can order for pick-up. You’ll have a selection of slices of cake, cookies, treat bars, and more. You’ll find a lot of classic flavors here.

Offering: Baked goods

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

Address: 1512 8th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203

Website: https://www.bakedon8th.com/

The Cupcake Collection

The cupcake tour continues! We stopped in The Cupcake Collection right when it opened and the bakery smells were so delightful. We got a four-pack with sweet potato, red velvet, blackout, and strawberry. Fans know best – their most popular sweet potato cupcake with cream cheese icing was my favorite! Can’t make it to Nashville? They ship!

Offering: Cupcakes

Neighborhood: Germantown, Lennox Village

Address: 1213 6th Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37208 and 6900 Lenox Village Dr. Suite 15, Nashville, TN 37211

Website: http://www.thecupcakecollection.com/

Fox’s Donut Den

Good ole classic donuts. Because sometimes you don’t need crazy toppings or combinations. You want a classic glazed or a blueberry cake donut. We picked up a few donut holes, and they also sell gigantic, sheet-cake-sized donuts that serve as an alternative to a birthday cake. Stop in if you visit Parnassus Books next door.

Offering: Donuts

Neighborhood: South

Address: 3900 Hillsboro Pike #2, Nashville, TN 37215

Website: https://www.facebook.com/FoxsDonutDen/

DRINKS

Attaboy

The only other location of NYC’s award-winning bar of the same name, Attaboy in Nashville operates similarly to its original location. Expect modern and creative cocktails you order by telling the bartender your liquor and taste preferences. No reservations and you get in by waiting outside the door. They’ll be watching for your arrival. Our cocktails were $18 each.

Offering: Cocktails

Neighborhood: East, East End

Address: 8 Mcferrin Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

Website: https://attaboy.us/visit-us-1

Living Waters Brewing

We stopped in here for an afternoon beer. They have a few IPA options, though they brew all types of beer. They also have a coffee bar program, so you could drink both. It’s a cute spot with spacious table and lounge seating.

Offering: Craft beer, coffee

Neighborhood: East Hill

Address: 1056 E Trinity Ln #101, Nashville, TN 37216

Website: https://www.livingwatersbrewing.com/

Yazoo Brewing Company

One of the oldest breweries in Nashville, Yazoo Brewing Company is about 20 minutes from the downtown area. They have a taproom and tours available.

Offering: Craft Beer

Neighborhood: Madison Park

Address: 900 River Bluff Dr, Madison, TN 37115

Website: http://yazoobrew.com/

Jackalope Brewing Company

One of the most popular breweries in Nashville since 2011, Jackalope Brewing Company moved spaces since I last visited and has a colorful taproom.

Offering: Craft Beer

Neighborhood: Wedgewood-Houston

Address: 429B Houston St., Nashville, TN 37203

Website: http://jackalopebrew.com/

The Patterson House

This upscale bar with speakeasy vibes serves craft cocktails with a smile. While we had to wait a bit to get in (no reservations), the low-key atmosphere at the bar gave our laid-back night the cherry on top. Not to mention – the bartenders know their stuff and will help you find your next favorite cocktail.

Offering: Fancy cocktails

Neighborhood: Midtown

Address: 1711 Division St. Nashville, TN 37203

Website: http://thepattersonnashville.com/

I can’t wait to go back to Nashville again because I still have a list of places to try! Here are some recommended places:

• SS Gai – Thai chicken street food
• Maiz De La Vida – tacos
• East Side Banh Mi – Vietnamese
• Mas Tacos Por Favor – tacos
• Otaku – ramen
• Catbird Seat – tasting menu
• Arnold’s Country Kitchen – Southern cuisine
• Loveless Café – Southern cuisine
• Biscuit Love –  brunch and biscuits
• Pinewood Social – American food and bowling
• The Treehouse – American cuisine
• The Pharmacy – burgers
• City House – rustic Italian
• Vui’s Kitchen – Vietnamese

What are your favorite restaurants in Nashville?

P.S. Want to read more about travel eats? Check out these posts:

• Chef’s Tasting at Rooster & Owl in Washington, DC
• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan
• Eating and Drinking on Big Island of Hawaii
• The Ultimate Austin Foodie Bucket List

The post Best Restaurants in Nashville, Tennessee appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

I spent two weeks in Japan and visited five cities, and these are the foodie experiences I enjoyed and would recommend.

Experience a Kaiseki Meal

Kaiseki is a traditional, multi-course Japanese dinner. We stayed at a ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel) in Hakone, which is a mountain town known for its hot springs. Ryokans typically offer dinner and breakfast with the stay, and eating well is a light way to describe it. Each dinner and breakfast at Masutomi Ryokan was a spread of courses. From soup to fried to sashimi, all the ingredients were incredibly fresh and flavorful. Think of this like a chef’s tasting meal!

Eat a Sushi Omakase

Sushi tastings have become a popular experience in Austin; so many new spots have opened. All their fish comes from Japan, so why not eat it fresh (even fresher) from the source? There are many options. We enjoyed Sushi Punch in Tokyo.

Try the Owakudani Black Egg

Since we stayed a few days in Hakone for the ryokan experience, we spent time going up the cable car and ropeway to Owakudani. Here, you can admire Mt Fuji and eat a black chicken egg. These eggs, which taste like a typical boiled egg, are cooked in the natural sulfur water there. Local lore says one egg will add seven years to your life.

I wouldn’t plan your trip around this, but if you want to stay in the beautiful, quieter hot springs town of Hakone, you could do this as part of your sightseeing.

Eat Ramen

There are a lot, and I mean A LOT, of unique things you can eat in Japan. You can eat them elsewhere but the quality is not quite the same. One of my favorites is ramen. I had three bowls – beef, pork, and fish – and all were so delicious.

• Ichiran – Chain restaurant with many locations
• One Dragon Tan Tan Noodles in Tokyo – Beef broth ramen
• Maru de Sankaku in Osaka – Fish ramen

Enjoy Convenience Store Snacks

It’s true: Japanese convenience stores are not like other convenience stores. While I would think twice about eating fresh food from a U.S. convenience store (and probably not do it), it’s an affordable, tasty, and convenient option in Japan. In addition to the packaged foods with long shelf-life (we ate so much Pocky), you’ll like the sandwiches, warm packaged drinks, and pastry items. Be sure to try the egg salad sandwiches from 7-Eleven. I also hear the fried chicken from Family Mart is a must.

Explore Street Food

If you only do one thing on this list, I think this one is it. The experience is two-fold. You’ll enjoy some incredible food and you’ll explore the streets of Japan. Here are a few ways to do it:

Food Markets – These are long streets with indoor or outdoor stalls. You’ll see vendors cooking food right outside the entrance and they may have seating inside or nearby. Markets are usually better during the day while izakaya (bar) streets can be enjoyed for dinner.

• Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo – My favorite of this list! Go early to see the fish selling in action. You’ll enjoy very fresh seafood, from huge raw oysters to grilled scallops. Also, enjoy the most delicious wagyu skewers from Tsukiji Ihachi.
• Omoide Yokocho in Tokyo – alleyway dinner spot good for fresh grilled snacks
• Kuromon Ichiba Market in Osaka
• Dotonbori neighborhood in Osaka

Food Tour – We took two food tours during our trip, and we ended up in places we wouldn’t have found by ourselves, ate a lot, and enjoyed learning about Japan. (You know I love food tours.)

• Ninja Food Tours in Tokyo
• Taste Osaka in Osaka

Book a Tea Ceremony

While tea originated in China, drinking tea became a ceremonial and spiritual practice in Japan. We attended a somewhat informal tea ceremony at Camellia Teahouse in Kyoto to learn about it. A full-length tea ceremony lasts four hours but ours was less than an hour. I like that teahouses follow four principles: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. It’s a place focused on peace and connection. Every movement and action of the host is exact and purposeful. At our tea ceremony, we learned how to whisk matcha and enjoyed our cup.

Enjoy a Michelin Meal

Did you know there are over 400 Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan? Coming from a country (the U.S.) where Michelin-starred restaurants are in a select few cities and can be a bit pricey, I enjoyed this something fun and different for our trip. We dined at Yugen in Osaka, and it was a memorable experience. Read all about it in this post.

Honorable Mention: Nakatanidou in Nara is known for their speedy mochi-making demonstration and their famous mochi. We went around 4 pm and the demos were over and they had sold out, but this would have been cool to experience.

There is so much more to discover in Japan! I hope one day I’ll be able to add to this list. Have one for me to put on the list? Let me know.

P.S. Want to read more about Japan? Check out these posts:

• 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan
• Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan
• Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan
• Sushi Omakase at Sushi Punch in Tokyo, Japan

The post 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Read this post for all my favorite things we ate – dishes you’ll find in Japan – and some restaurant recommendations.

When I plan a trip, I like to bookmark restaurants that seem to have good reviews and are near a certain sight we’re planning to visit. We made it to about 3 of the 10 I had bookmarked and that was because we had reservations! I tell you this so you know getting to a specific place in Japan was much harder than I thought it would be. Sometimes things that were “close” ended up being a 20-minute train. Sometimes we had to satisfy hangry humans ASAP.

I also tell you this because while we didn’t visit the places I had bookmarked, we still had incredible food resulting from quick Google searches, and the “we walked by and it looked good.” Yes, have a few places (the fewer the better) you absolutely must visit, but also leave room to be spontaneous because you’re likely to still enjoy great eats in Japan!

And now, these are the eats and drinks that I will dream about until I return.

Beef / Gyukatsu

While fish is the common choice in Japan, I enjoyed the beef immensely! We had melt-in-your-mouth beef skewers at the fish market (you can’t miss it, there are huge signs for this place) and a fun beef tasting at a restaurant in Osaka. And while tonkatsu (breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet) is popular, gyukatsu (the beef version) is a must-try as well!

Where we ate:

• Gyukatsu Motomura – gyukatsu, multiple locations in Japan
• Tsuguyru in Osaka – beef tasting
• Tsukiji Ihachi at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo

Eel / Unagi

Eel was already one of my favorite seafood but eating it freshly grilled at the fish market was incredibly satisfying! You can find it at street food stalls.

Daifuku / Mochi / Warabi

I had mochi on a few occasions but the most delicious was a street stand on a quieter street at Tsukiji Fish Market. They had a few flavors but the strawberry was so good! You may also see savory mochi wrapped in seaweed.

It’s called daifuku when the mochi is wrapped around something like a strawberry or red bean. It’s called warabi or warabimochi when the mochi is dipped or topped with sauce and powder.

Ramen

I had ramen three times, and they were all delicious! Fish ramen is a growing trend, and it’s a lighter broth option. We also went to the classic chain – Ichiran – but be prepared for a wait in prime time. The last place was a spur-of-the-moment pick when we needed to find food near Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, and it was so good! 

Most ramen places have ordering machines so the staff doesn’t need to handle payment. You’ll get a small receipt which you’ll give to a server.

Where we ate:

• Ichiran – Chain restaurant with many locations
• One Dragon Tan Tan Noodles in Tokyo – Beef broth ramen
• Maru de Sankaku in Osaka – Fish ramen

Matcha

We tried to enjoy matcha everywhere! We enjoyed it fresh in a tea ceremony and at the end of a nice meal, but we also had it in ice cream and other treats.

Where we ate:

• Kaminari Issa – matcha ice cream and drinks near Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo
• Bongen Coffee in Tokyo – pretty good coffee too but has a very long wait

Okonomiyaki

I had never had okonmiyaki before, so it was a magical experience. This savory Japanese pancake is made with flour, cabbage, and a choice of additions like pork or shrimp. There are two styles. Osaka style is a big mix of ingredients while Hiroshima style is layered ingredients, sometimes including noodles.

Where we ate:

• Torame Yokocho in Osaka – it’s a food hall so look for the specific stall in the back left

Cheese Tart

Follow your nose to the cheese tart! We went to two different places, and my favorite was Grand Riviere in Hakone, which drew us in with the fragrance of fresh-baked tarts. The crust is almost like a buttery shortbread cookie. We also went to Pablo in Osaka, which you’ll know is popular from the long line! They sell a few flavors, including strawberry, chocolate, and matcha.

Where we ate:

• Grand Riviere in Hakone
• Pablo in Osaka

Taiyaki

These filled pastries are made fresh, typically at a food stall. We happened upon one after dinner one night. We got one with red bean and one with custard. Yum!

Japanese pancakes

The special thing about Japanese pancakes is that they’re extra fluffy, like a souffle!

Where we ate:

• Northshore in Osaka

Yuzu sorbet

One of my favorite desserts I had was a yuzu sorbet. Yuzu looks like a lemon but tastes like a combination of lemon and grapefruit.

Sushi

Of course sushi! We ate sushi most days. It can come as a side dish, like a few pieces in a bento box or kaiseki dinner. We also had a multi-course sushi omakase, which was a great way to end the trip.

Where we ate:

• Shimokita Rokkaku in Tokyo
• Sushi Punch in Tokyo

Yakitori

These Japanese skewers are typically grilled over a charcoal fire and are easily found in izakayas (low-key Japanese bars) or street markets.

Where we ate:

• Omoide Yokocho – food stall alley in Tokyo
• Kuroman Ichiba Market – food stall market in Osaka
• Nishiki Market – food stall market in Kyoto

Tempura

One of my favorite parts of our multi-course dinners at a traditional Japanese hotel we stayed at was the tempura. It was light and crispy yet the vegetable shined through.

Fishcake

One thing you can find in fish markets and street stalls is fish cake. These are typically ground fish made into balls or patties and served on a skewer or in oden, which is a soup.

Egg Salad Sandwich

People raved about the egg salad sandwiches in Japan, so it was a must-try. The best one I had was from 7-Eleven, as many have suggested.

Uni

A sushi meal delicacy is uni and at Japanese street markets, you can enjoy extra fresh. You’ll see them laid out and they may include an uni variety. The best was at Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo.

Fruit

I thoroughly enjoyed all the fresh fruit in Japan. Many desserts include fruit for a light and fresh ending to a meal. At markets, you’ll see big, beautiful fruit. I especially liked the persimmons and muscat grapes.  

Natto Beans / Japanese Breakfast

When in Japan, you eat fish and natto beans for breakfast! The traditional Japanese breakfast usually includes grilled fish, rice, miso soup, pickled things, and natto. Natto, which is fermented soybeans, is also lovingly called “stinky beans.” I didn’t find them too stinky, and they are good when mixed with rice, especially since they can be a bit sticky.

Takoyaki

These balls have a flour batter with pieces of octopus. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy it, look for a big red octopus face on the outside and you’ll find the Tako Tako King chain.

Sake / Shochu / Beer

There are plenty of alcoholic beverage choices in Japan.

• Sake – If you’re looking for something unique to Japan, it would be this rice wine, their national beverage. There’s a growing movement that seeks to make sake cool, so look out for sake bars.
• Shochu – This is a distilled liquor that is weaker than liquors like whiskey or vodka but stronger than wine or sake. My go-to way to drink it is a chuhai or shochu highball, which is mixed with soda water and lemon.
• Beer – When in Japan, the typical beer brands are Asahi and Sapporo, but you can find Hitachino as a craft option. Also, keep an eye out for local craft beers in specialty shops, and don’t expect to find IPAs in abundance.

It was fun to look back at all the delicious things we ate! I hope this gives you an idea of what to look out for on your trip or makes you want to book a trip to Japan.

For more posts about Japan, check out:

• Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan
• Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan
• Sushi Omakase at Sushi Punch in Tokyo, Japan

The post 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Keep reading to hear all about our experience.

Yugen

When I travel, I like to try a variety of food experiences, from street food tours to extravagant coursed meals. Did you know there are over 400 Michelin-starred restaurants in Japan? This speaks to Japan’s high-quality ingredients. I thought trying a Michelin-starred restaurant would be a unique and fun experience for the group. 

Picking Yugen, which has one Michelin star, was a fairly random choice. I used the Omakase website, a Japanese restaurant reservation website, to narrow down the options and looked for restaurants serving Japanese food in Osaka. (Many nicer restaurants serve French or Italian food.)

Yugen serves a kaiseki meal (traditional, multi-course Japanese meal), and it was a tasty way to see traditional and simple types of cooking. This preparation allows the ingredients to play the main role.

The word yugen is directly translated as “mysterious” but can be translated as “delicate beauty,” which is a good way to describe the restaurant. It has an unassuming entrance in an office building and when you enter, the restaurant is minimally yet cohesively constructed as a peaceful space. 

Delicate beauty is also a good way to describe our meal, which I’ll share more next!

Kaiseki Tasting Menu

Chef Keisuke Mifune and his team presented a beautiful and seemingly effortless meal. The flavors are seasonal and bright and overall, while there are eight courses, the meal is light. The ingredients aren’t smothered in heavy sauces or spices. The menu was simply a delicate preparation to highlight Japanese ingredients and enhance the natural flavors.

Here’s the meal we enjoyed.

Appetizer: Barracuda, Chrysanthemum greens, Maitake mushroom

Soup: Steamed crab paste cake soup

Seasonal Dishes:

• Eggplant soup
• Persimmon, carrot, radish, cucumber, sesame cream
• Vinegared mackerel
• Deep-fried pacific saury
• Japanese pear with mushed tofu
• Mukago (yam)
• Baked peanuts

Sashimi: Bonito and squid sashimi

Grilled Dish: Grilled Spanish mackerel with tempura edamame beans

Boiled Dish: Boiled herring, burdock, spinach

Rice: Rice mixed with chestnuts; miso soup

Dessert: 

• Yamazato (sweet yam paste bun stuffed with white bean paste)
• Grape, muscat, apple sorbet

Accompanied by our dessert was fresh, warm matcha

It was a lovely meal! We also sat in the front room and was able to watch the chef and team prepare the meal. It was neat to see the different techniques, like using a charcoal grill, and the careful movements. The experience was thoughtful and the dishes were satisfying. I’m glad we were able to enjoy this delicious meal!

Below is a sneak peek at their dish drawer. I wonder if they name their dishes like The French Laundry does?

How Much is Yugen

Lunch and dinner options are available at Yugen. Lunch is $85.55 USD per person and dinner is $153.99 USD. This pricing is through the Omakase website, so there is a service fee added on. This is the best way to make a reservation online.

How to Make a Reservation

The most direct way would be to call the restaurant as they don’t have their own online reservation system.

I made a reservation on the Omakase website about three weeks before our meal, so it is fairly easy to get a reservation. Omakase is a Japanese reservation website, which is especially helpful for diners outside of Japan. They do take a fee when you make a reservation; from my calculations, it’s about $10 USD per person.

When you make the reservation, a credit card is required, and you’ll be charged the full cost of the meal. After your meal, you can settle the additional bill for any beverages you order.

Yugen is closed on Wednesdays.

How to Get to Yugen

The closest train station is Osaka Uehommachi Station from the Kintetsu Osaka Line. It’s about a 5-minute walk to the restaurant.

When you arrive at the address, you’ll see this corner. Go down the stairs on the left side and you’ll see a door on the right with colored curtains.

Details for Your Visit

Here’s a quick list of what to know before your visit.

• Cuisine: Traditional Japanese
• Meal offered: Lunch or dinner
• Ambiance: Peaceful
• Attire: Business casual
• Noise Level: Quiet
• Dietary restrictions: Notes made during reservation
• Reservation: Recommended for larger groups
• Seating Options: Counter or private room

Yugen
14-14 Ishigatsujicho, Tennoji-ku, Osaka, 543-0031, Japan
+81 50-3628-4385
Restaurant Website: https://kdrr500.gorp.jp/

P.S. Want to see more meals in Japan? Check out:

• Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan
• Sushi Omakase at Sushi Punch in Tokyo, Japan

P.P.S. Read more restaurant adventures in my travel eats category.

The post Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

We didn’t have plans to travel to Kobe – it’s about a 35-minute train ride from Osaka – but we knew it was still possible to taste great wagyu in the foodie city of Osaka. So, I found this restaurant in my research that offered a beef tasting. This would be a good opportunity to try different cuts, and we walked away very pleased with the experience!

Keep reading to learn more.

About Beef

First, a beef primer. Wagyu beef is one of the best in the world because of its marbling (read: tender meat). There are four breeds of wagyu but the majority are Japanese Black. Now, various areas of Japan have their own brand of wagyu. Trademarks were allowed starting in 2006 and there are 11 registered brands, Tajima beef and Kobe beef are two of them. Kobe beef is the highest quality of Tajima beef. The certifications indicate their bloodline, how they were raised, and other criteria.

In the U.S., food labeling is lax, so you’ll see the Kobe name thrown around for marketing, but there are fewer than 40 restaurants that actually serve Kobe beef. You may also see A5 Wagyu, a high-quality beef from Japan but it’s not Kobe beef.

In Japan, restaurants must pay for their designation to advertise Kobe beef, but it’s not a requirement to serve it. There’s no shortage of places serving Kobe beef and if you want to be 100% sure you’re eating Kobe beef, check the designation website and go to one of these registered restaurants, though it will probably cost you more.

In short, I didn’t check the website and booked Tsurugyu because I read that they serve Kobe beef. Could I have tasted the difference between Kobe and Tajima? Probably not. Did I have an incredible meal? Yes!

Tsurugyu

Their menu is available on their website, and they’ll also provide a menu in English at the restaurant. Here’s what the menu looks like:

We had already decided we wanted to do a set tasting, which they have three options: 7,700 JPY; 8,800 JPY; or 9,900 JPY. The more expensive courses have added sashimi, noodles or rice, or dessert. We went with the 7,700 JPY (about $50 USD) course and subbed the intestines for sirloin.

In Japanese, they call Tsurugyu a “yakiniku” restaurant or one where you cook pieces of meat on a small grill with charcoal in front of you. They set up our grill when we arrived and after we chose our course, the dishes started arriving, one by one.

Our tasting included:

• Kimchi, Namuru (boiled vegetables), Salad
• Sio Tan (salt and tongue)
• Keta (cubic)
• Salt Kalbi (rib)
• First-class bara (belly)
• Special first-class Misuji (shoulder)
• Steak in cube
• Sirloin

I thought it was cute that our meal ended with a shot of blended veggies and tea.

It was plate after plate of meat, but it was a satiable amount. And did you see the meat marbling? So many pieces simply melted in the mouth! Each meat also had a specific way of enjoying it. Most had a specific sauce to use, one had vegetable accompaniments, and another was a lettuce wrap. They were great ways to vary the meal and enhance the flavors.

How to Make a Reservation

I made a reservation through their website about three weeks before our meal. Their website is connected to a reservation service called Retty. I believe they will try to call to confirm your reservation and charge your card, but I didn’t receive a call and my reservation was not canceled. It seemed like they had room for walk-ins, so if you’re interested, call ahead on the day or walk by to check.

How to Get There

The restaurant is near Dotonbori in Osaka, about a 10-minute walk to Nippombashi Station. The outside of the restaurant looks like this:

Details for Your Visit

Here’s a quick list of what to know prior to your visit.

• Cuisine: Beef
• Meal offered: Dinner
• Ambiance: Casual, cool
• Attire: Business casual
• Noise Level: Quiet-average
• Reservation: Available online and recommended
• Groups: Available to book online

Tsurugyu
3 Chome-5-14 Kawarayamachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0066, Japan
https://tsurugyu.foodre.jp/
https://www.instagram.com/tsurugyu/

The post Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Sushi Punch

This restaurant went viral on Instagram, which is probably how I found it! Chef Yuichiro Sasaki opened his restaurant during the pandemic, serving local clientele, but as Japan opened up tourism again, a few foreign visitors shared their meals on social media. Now, 80% of Sushi Punch’s clientele are foreign travelers, and Chef Sasaki is considering opening a Los Angeles location!

With his chef skills and reserved charm, Chef Sasaki provides an entertaining omakase experience. As many have said, he may be the fittest and most photogenic sushi chef in the world!

The lunch omakase is about 9-11 courses while dinner is about 14-18 courses. Each meal ends with miso soup, as Japanese meals commonly do. You’ll be able to taste specialty dishes as well as nigiri. Throughout the meal, Chef Sasaki was excited to share the preparation for the nigiri, especially if there were certain processes like aging and marinating.

Keep reading to see our meal.

Chef’s Tasting

We enjoyed 19 courses of cooked dishes and nigiri. The first four dishes were specialty, cooked dishes, except for one dish of sashimi.

Here are the dishes we had. Note: there is one piece of nigiri I didn’t get the name of and I missed getting a photo of the Hokkaido Prawn.

Steamed Egg

Yellowtail Sashimi

Grilled Fish – I didn’t catch the name of this one but it was a flakey white fish and one of my favorites of the dinner!

Fried Spring Roll

Herring

Squid

Bluefin Tuna

Saury – This is a very common fish in Japan, but was unique to us

Spanish Mackerel

Slow Cooked Oyster

Crab with scallop, rice, onion jelly

Salmon Roe

Kohada

Monkfish Liver

Chūtoro (Fatty Tuna)

Anago (sea eel) – One of my favorites!

Sweet egg and chestnut

The meal was so delightful! Every piece was perfect and delicious. We each had our favorite pieces, but we were pleased we ended our trip with this meal.

How to Make a Reservation

You can make a reservation online on the TableCheck website. You must enter your credit card information but you are not charged until after your meal is completed.

Lunch is 12,000 yen (about $80) per person and dinner is 18,000 yen (about $118) per person. The pricing includes a 10% service charge.

If you cancel seven days before your reservation, you will have to pay 50% of the price. If you cancel three days or less before your reservation, you will have to pay 100% of the price.

How to Get There

Sushi Punch is located in the Azabujuban neighborhood of Tokyo. Following Google Maps will get you to the correct location. (It is called Sushi Panchi on Google.) When you get to the address, you’ll see a lit sign with eight squares. Go past the sign on the left to the elevator on the right. The restaurant is on the 7th floor. On the left is a photo of the outside from Google:

Details for Your Visit

Here’s a quick list of what to know prior to your visit.

• Cuisine: Sushi
• Meal offered: Lunch at 12 pm, dinner at 6 and 8:30 pm
• Ambiance: Formal, bright
• Attire: Business casual
• Noise Level: Quiet
• Dietary restrictions: Information requested on the reservation
• Reservation: Available online 2 months in advance
• Groups: Contact the restaurant for groups of more than 6 people

Sushi Punch
〒106-0045 Tokyo, Minato City, Azabujuban, 3 Chome−3−9 Vort麻布十番II 7F
https://www.instagram.com/sushi__punch

Looking for more Japan foodie experience? Check out these posts:

• 8 Best Foodie Experiences in Japan
• Kaiseki Michelin Meal at Yugen in Osaka, Japan
• 20 Best Eats and Drinks I Had in Japan
• Wagyu Tasting at Tsurugyu in Osaka, Japan

The post Sushi Omakase at Sushi Punch in Tokyo, Japan appeared first on Fearless Captivations.