2023 is this you? Happy new year people! We are back to one of our favourite places to be in – Japan! We have been here a few days and when I tell you, I love it here?
You, OG, Garmanvsfood fam know I am not a coffee drinker but in these Japan streets, I am obsessed! These guys do coffee different and I can not get enough! Like, this is coffee I happily fly 15 hours for okay?! My first coffee experience at Cafe de lambre is forever imprinted in my mind, so you know I had to go there and get my fix! I was very happy to see that (1) they survived the pandemic and (2) the coffee here remains AMAZING! I tried something new and 😮,
It was sweet(ish) coffee beans {yep, I learnt here that coffee beans can be sweet) served with a layer of sparkling soda and sugar syrup!
It gave rum and coke vibes for real! If there is one thing I know about the Japanese coffee it almost always hand dripped, unexpected taste and flavour and in the best china okay?!
Coffee aside, Japan is also known for their iconic teas, sake, yakitori, katsu, and everything in between and this time round, we are trying it ALL ha!
Continuing with matcha tea! If you don’t know, matcha is green leaf tea that has been stone ground into powder and the Japanese matcha is unmatched. Don’t @ me! It is quite a ceremonial tea, you need to have the right tools to truly enjoy it – a bowl (yep, the proper way is to drink it from a bowl), a whisk, the right water temperature, et al. Anyway, here we were making our way down to Tsukiji fish market for some mouth watering delights. We decided on a quick stop Jugetsudo tea shop to have a look – see, as well as, top up on our supply of matcha. Surprise, surprise, they now offer a taster? or shall i say a designated area to sit and enjoy a cuppa!
and of course we had to, like come on now, how could we not?
You get to choose what matcha you would like to try and there are guides to tell you what is what.
And the snacks, ouuu the snacks? soya bean and delicate savouries that are quite perfect and so yummy!
The added bonus for me was how the whole experience is not rushed, you really are expected to have a ‘whoosa’ moment, – relax, enjoy your matcha and be still; err.. ZEN hello! Not going to lie, the ZEN energy in Japan is just unreal, coming here always makes us pause and breathe! Like I said, I L O V E it here ha!
Sake is my next favourite thing about Japan. It might be because the process of making sake (fermentation of rice) is similar to a traditional Nigerian drink called palm wine, which also uses fermentation (of sap juice) from palm trees! Plus, the last time we went sake tasting, turned out to be one of our best nights in Tokyo! We tried Sake no Ana in Ginza since the last sake place we visited was no longer in business and it was good! With over a hundred labels, I think it is safe to say you will be spoilt for choice 😱. We had a sommelier talk us through and make some recommendations (did I mention she was female? 👏🏽). We got to tasting and drinking and whilst I would love to provide you with the names, alas, not possible, as the labels were all in Japanese
I do like how these are served in very cool carafe’s
plus, I can now claim to know the difference between unfiltered (new season sake)
and regular sake. Of course when sake tasting, do make sure you are eating all the delicious food on offer because the alcohol content in sake is no joke, it be hitting!
Ahh Tokyo, you are giving me all the VIBES!!!!
Kanpai
Ndidi
