Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoagie
That tuna pizza is going on the list. Planning on tsuta ramen one day although I’m sure I’ll eat more ramen.
I’m such a fat ****. I haven’t planned anything cultural/touristy just meals. Of which I’m looking at about 11 a day.
Just back from two weeks in Japan, and have spent many months over the years in Thailand. Happy to oblige.
My favourite ramen in Tokyo is the tsukemen from Rokurinsha in Tokyo station's ramen street. It's on the lower ground floor of the train station (which is freakin' huge and very easy to get lost). You will definitely wait in line, but the length of the line will depend on the time. I went twice while in Tokyo, once around 11:30, and once around 15:00. When we went at 11:00, we waited about 40 mins. When we went at 15:00, we waited maybe 10 mins max.
Rokurinsha was also in the very first ep of Mind Of A Chef on Netflix.
I've been to Tsuta twice. Once in their original location on a previous trip, and then last week in their new location. They had a ticketing system at the original location, so you'd go there in the morning, pick up a ticket and be allocated a time slot to return. It was perfect as half your day didn't have to revolve around a bowl of ramen. At their new location they've done away with the system and now you just gotta line up. I went on a rainy day and arrived at about 10:45 (they open at 11:00). Ended up waiting close to an hour, but I've had on regular days you can be waiting for 2-3 hours, so I'd recommend going around 10:00 so you don't waste too much time in line.
Another great ramen spot is Fu-Unji near Shinjuku, but again, be prepared to wait in line.
Apart from that, there's no need to pay a lot of money for any meal as basically everything is good if you stick to Japanese food. The general quality of sushi is good everywhere, so try to find somewhere locals go instead of somewhere near Shibuya crossing or Shinjuku.
The quality of food at their convenience stores (7eleven, Family Mart, Lawson's), is ridiculously good. I wouldn't be caught dead eating sushi from a 7eleven in the US, but in Japan it's ****ing fantastic. Try the egg sandwich from Lawson's, and the beef short rib onigiri from 7eleven. If you have a sweet tooth, the warabi mochi from 7eleven is also really good, and probably better than any mochi I had anywhere else in the country.
You didn't mention where in Thailand you're going, but if Bangkok, get yourself down to Yaowarat Road in China Town one evening and just do a street food crawl. It'll be jam packed, but the vibe is amazing, the sights and sounds are a sensory overload, and the food is all tasty as ****. No specific recommendations, just eat whatever looks good and don't be afraid to try new things.
Sukhumvit has a bunch of mega malls, the one with the best food is Paragon Siam. Part of their food court is made up of little hawker-style shop fronts that host a lot of well-known Bangkok restaurants, serving a limited menu of their most popular dishes.
If you're hitting up Chiang Mai or Phuket I can offer a few food recommendations there too.