Misawaya in Ouchijuku—when visiting this post town that preserves its Edo-period streetscape, of course you have to try the very distinctive “Takato Soba”! It was my first time seeing soba eaten with a green onion instead of chopsticks, and it was really unique. The cold soba had a lot of grated daikon, and the spiciness became quite noticeable toward the end; the other bowl of soba in hot broth was nice and warming. Personally, I thought the portions were a little large, but the vegetable tempura was delicious, and there was also a very unusual fried red bean bun that wasn’t greasy or too sweet. Overall, it was a very distinctive experience, and I recommend giving it a try when you visit Ouchijuku!
Ouchijuku Misawaya | Review by 王小鈞
Other Reviews by 王小鈞
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Beef Cutlet Aona, main branch in Okachimachi
Beef cutlet has gained popularity in recent years. Their feature is that they use red portions of meat that are low-calorie and light. Red beef from various areas of production are available and in particular, the Japanese Black marbled beef offers a whole new level of deliciousness, with high-quality fat and a lack of odor. Please enjoy the beef cutlet that has been made with painstaking care in the method of deep-frying and carefully-selected bread crumbs and oil.
This time in Okachimachi, I found a beef cutlet restaurant that left a really good impression on me! Beef Cutlet Aona’s main branch in Okachimachi is a little different from a typical pork cutlet restaurant. Here, you can cook the beef cutlet yourself. The restaurant provides a small griddle, so you can control how well done you want it. Cooking it as you eat is pretty fun!
This time, I chose the MIX beef cutlet with three kinds of meat, so I could try the different textures and flavors of various cuts of beef all at once. I thought it was a great value, and the price was also fairly affordable.
The beef itself is very flavorful and is actually delicious on its own! There are also three kinds of sauces, mustard, and salt to pair with it. Switching between different ways of eating it made every bite feel different.
The outside was fried until fragrant and crispy, and I cooked the beef inside a little more to my preferred doneness. It was really delicious eaten hot!
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Kinojiya
Kinojiya serves aromatic soba made entirely from carefully selected buckwheat kernels, painstakingly ground in a stone mill, without the use of any binding agents. At night, it operates as a casual bar offering reasonably priced wines imported directly from France and Italy.
After walking around Ueno and getting tired, I wanted to find somewhere to eat. I saw this soba restaurant and decided to give it a try! There were quite a few customers even though it was mealtime, but fortunately, I didn’t have to wait too long before getting a seat.
Kinojiya is in a very convenient location near Ueno Station and close to Ueno Park. It uses a self-service ordering system, so you need to order at the entrance first. The setup is fairly simple, but there are seats inside where you can take your time and enjoy your meal.
This time, I ordered cold soba with tempura. The soba tasted refreshing, and the broth had a rich Japanese dashi aroma. The flavor was very good.
The tempura on the side was another highlight. It was fried until golden and crispy, and the portion was generous. The outside was crisp without tasting too greasy, and it paired perfectly with the cold soba!
Overall, this is a conveniently located soba restaurant with food of a solid quality. If you’re shopping in Ueno or taking a walk through Ueno Park and want a simple Japanese meal, this place is worth considering.
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Dried Fruits and Nuts Specialty Store Ueno Ameyoko Kojimaya
Just along the bustling Ameyoko Shopping Street, one of Japan’s most iconic markets, Kojimaya stands as a dedicated dried fruits and nuts wholesaler since its opening over 60 years ago. Step in to find a gloriously wide range of tastes sourced through partnerships with multiple specialized trading companies, includes 71 types of nuts and 82 varieties of dried fruits. The store attracts not only professional buyers but also individual customers and tourists seeking high-quality products.
This time, while shopping along Ueno’s Ameyoko Shopping Street, I was drawn to this dried fruit and nut specialty store! The storefront was filled with all kinds of dried fruits and nuts, with so many varieties that there was almost too much to take in. I couldn’t help but stop and browse for a while.
This is Kojimaya, which has been in business for over 60 years and is known for its extensive selection. From all kinds of nuts, dried apricots, and raisins to mixed dried fruits, there are so many choices. Anyone who likes these kinds of snacks will probably have a hard time leaving empty-handed!
They’re great both as snacks for yourself and as souvenirs to bring back to Taiwan. I originally only stopped to take a look, but the wide array of products kept me browsing for quite a while. When visiting Ameyoko, don’t just focus on cosmetics and drugstore products—this store is also well worth stopping by!
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