Ninja Food Tours

09/09/2024

06/09/2024

13/08/2024

✨Discover l’esprit de Chevalier ✨

Nestled in the quiet district of Higashi Nakano, Tokyo, lies an intimate dining experience unlike any other: l’esprit de Chevalier, translating to knight’s spirit in French.

This hidden gem, with its exclusive 16-seat arrangement, invites diners into a French and Japanese fusion dining experience. The philosophy is simple yet profound, merging the sophistication of French cuisine with the delicate nuances of Japanese flavors. The result is a menu that celebrates the best of both worlds.

Service is as personalized as the menu. The small size of the restaurant allows for a high level of attention, with staff offering detailed explanations of each dish and its ingredients. This thoughtful approach ensures that every guest feels special and well-cared-for.

The minimalist decor, with its blend of French chic and Japanese simplicity, creates a serene setting that allows the food to shine. With a focus on seasonal ingredients, the menu evolves throughout the year, ensuring that each dining experience is fresh and unique.

Lunch menu starts at 3,850¥ to 5,500¥ and dinner 7,700¥ to 22,000¥ with wine pairing. Reservations are highly recommended to secure seats.

Info ⬇️

12:00-15:00 and 17:00-22:00
Closed on Wednesday
2min walk from Higashi Nakano station on JR Chuo Sobu line

#レストランレスプリドシュヴァリエ

07/08/2024

Have you ever experienced Kaiseki cuisine in a traditional Japanese ryokan?

Kaiseki (懐石) consists of a refined course meal with many dishes served in high end restaurants or traditional Japanese inns called ryokan (旅館).
The kaiseki meal is a hallmark of Japanese culinary art and is known for its meticulous attention to detail, seasonal ingredients, and aesthetic presentation. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from a ryokan kaiseki meal:

Appetizer (Zensai): The meal usually begins with a small, elegantly presented appetizer or amuse-bouche. This might include a variety of small, seasonal items that set the tone for the meal.

Sashimi (Otsukuri): Fresh, raw fish or seafood served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled vegetables. The quality of the sashimi is usually exceptional, showcasing the freshness and skill of the chef.

Steamed Dish (Mushimono): A steamed dish, which might be a savory custard or a dish that uses a gentle steaming process to retain delicate flavors and textures.

Grilled Dish (Yakimono): A dish that features grilled or broiled ingredients, often fish or meat, seasoned lightly to enhance the natural flavors. This course highlights the skill of the chef in achieving the perfect balance of taste and texture.

Simmered Dish (Nimono): Ingredients such as vegetables, tofu, or fish are slowly simmered in a flavorful broth or sauce. This dish showcases the depth of flavor that can be achieved through careful cooking techniques.

Soup (Suimono): A light, clear soup that might include ingredients such as seafood, mushrooms, or vegetables. The soup is designed to cleanse the palate and prepare you for the courses to come.

Rice (Gohan): A simple, yet essential part of the meal. The rice might be served plain or with accompanying pickles and miso soup.

Dessert (Mizumono): The meal typically ends with a light, refreshing dessert, which might include seasonal fruits, a sweet bean paste, or a traditional Japanese sweet like mochi or dorayaki.

Pictures took in Wakamatsu Ryokan, Hokkaido.

22/07/2024

Fusion Japanese and soba noodles at Ryan, between Omotesando and Shibuya.

that manages a few trendy restaurants in Tokyo like the famous T.Y Harbor, kept secret this address discreetly hidden between Aoyama-dori and Meiji-dori, 10 minutes walk from Shibuya station.

serves authentic Japanese soba in a simple yet impressive traditional atmosphere. The interior is elegant and is completed with Ikebana flower arrangements.
The name comes from 2 kanji characters 雷, “rai” that means thunder and 庵, “an” which means retreat. You’ll see inside an ink painting with eyes staring at you, which is actually a Japanese thunder god!

They’re open for lunch and dinner and the restaurant has two different spaces, dining and drinking.
Not only the wine selection but the sake and whiskey selection is wide and for beer, it is even possible to try the golden ale craft beer brewed at T.Y Harbor on Tennozu island, Tokyo.

Every course includes their handmade soba noodles and they will hand you an additional menu to customize your soba.
Course start at 4,500¥ for lunch and 9,000¥ for dinner.
The most complete course (same a pictures) includes 3 kind of appetizers, sashimi assortment, chawanmushi (steamed egg custard), duck steak, oyster cream croquette, wagyu sirloin sukiyaki, soba noodles and dessert.

Info ⬇️
Open everyday
11:30-15:00 and 17:30-22:30
Reservation possible on their website
10min walk from Shibuya station

#雷庵

17/07/2024

☀️ Awayaiccho, somen noodles shop in Tokyo ☀️

Awayaiccho is a noodle shop specialized in 半田そうめん (Handa Somen), which is a specialty from Tokushima Prefecture in Japan. It’s a type of somen (thin wheat noodles) that is traditionally served chilled, especially popular during the hot summer months.

Regular somen noodles are usually 0.7 to 1.6mm, however, Handa somen are a little thicker, 2.2 to 2.5mm resulting in a firmer texture.

Somen noodles are a perfect summer dish in Japan, very thin and delicate, typically served cold with a dipping sauce made from soy sauce, dashi (fish broth), and mirin (sweet rice wine). Sometimes, thinly sliced cucumbers or grated ginger are added to the dipping sauce to enhance the flavor.

While traditionally associated with Tokushima, Handa Somen has gained popularity throughout Japan and can sometimes be found in specialty shops or restaurants that focus on regional cuisine, like in

We tried their sudachi cold somen and chicken and soy milk broth noodles dish. If you’ve never heard of sudachi, it is a small green citrus, also coming from Tokushima prefecture that has a sour-sweet flavor. It is topped with shirasu fishes (whitebait) and shiso leaves (Japanese perilla).
They also serve different drinks, all including fresh sudachi (sudachi soda, sudachi sour with shochu liquor and sudachi highball with Japanese whiskey).
Sudachi somen will cost you 1080¥ and 1280¥ for the chicken soymilk one.

Info ⬇️
2 locations in Minami Asagaya and Nishi Ogikubo stations /
We recommend going to the Minami Asagaya as it is open until late at night
1 minute walk from Minami Asagaya station on Marunouchi line

03/07/2024

Have you ever heard of ‘basashi’ or ‘horse sashimi’?

Among all the original food Japan has to offer, basashi, 馬刺し in Japanese stands out as a delicacy that intrigues and challenges even the most daring food enthusiasts.

Basashi, essentially, is horse sashimi – raw horse meat thinly sliced and served cold. While the idea of consuming horse meat might initially raise eyebrows in some cultures, it has been a part of Japanese cuisine for centuries.

Horses have long been utilized in Japan for transportation, agriculture, and as symbols of prestige and power. Historically, horse meat was consumed during times of scarcity or necessity, particularly in rural areas where horses were also bred for work purposes.
The modern concept of basashi as a delicacy, however, began to emerge in specific regions of Japan, notably in Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu and in Nagano Prefecture in central Japan. In Kumamoto, basashi became particularly popular due to the abundance of local horses bred for agricultural work and the development of a distinct culinary culture around horse meat.

The meat, sourced from selected horses raised specifically for consumption. These slices are typically arranged neatly on a plate, often accompanied by soy sauce, wasabi, and grated ginger or garlic for dipping. The presentation is as much a part of the experience as the taste itself. In terms of flavor, basashi is described as subtly sweet with a delicate texture that melts in the mouth. The meat’s lean quality and mild taste make it a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with other traditional Japanese foods like sake.

28/06/2024

Welcome to another hidden gem in Yoyogi, Tokyo.

is a fusion restaurant located a few minutes away from the vibrant Yoyogi station. Opened since June 2023, this address that is not quite famous yet, giving a peaceful and intimate atmosphere.

The chef, Kinosh*ta Yuusuke, with his 25 years of experience just moved from Sapporo where he was at the head of a One Michelin star restaurant.

His newly opened restaurant, Kino, takes inspiration from all the cuisines he likes, such as Japanese, Chinese and French, which is actually the type of food he started to learn about at the beginning of his career.

They offer 2 courses, lunch time starting at 7,000¥ and dinner from 16,000¥.
Their drink menu includes everything you need to get the best food and drink pairing, wine, sake, sparkling wine and even some Champagne.

Menu changes seasonally, so when going there you’ll get to try original dishes!
Reservations are required as it has only 18 seats in total (8 counter seats and 10 table seats).

Info ⬇️
Reservations only
080-6826-9608
12:00-14:00 and 18:00-22:00
Closed on Tuesdays and some other irregular days
2min walk from Yoyogi station

25/06/2024

Honey lemon and apricot dango 🍋🍡🌞

Dango is a traditional Japanese treat that has been enjoyed for centuries. These small, chewy dumplings on a skewer are made from a mixture of rice flour shaped into small balls and then steamed.

What makes dango unique is its adaptability. It can be prepared in various ways, offering a range of flavors and textures. The most basic form is mitarashi dango, which is skewered and coated with a sweet soy sauce glaze, imparting a sweet and savory profile that appeals to many. Another popular variation is anko dango, where the dumplings are covered with sweet red bean paste, adding a rich and indulgent flavor.

Dango holds cultural significance in Japan, often enjoyed during seasonal festivals throughout the year.. Its soft, chewy texture, sweet taste, sometimes even savory make it a favorite among people of all ages. Beyond its traditional forms, modern interpretations of dango include colorful versions served on skewers with multiple flavors and toppings.

Oiwake dango in Shinjuku is the perfect exemple, being a well known tea shop established in 1698! You’ll find more than 20 different flavors of dango ( including seasonal flavors), 10 flavors of mochi with various fillings, and even huge shaved ice called kaki goori only sold in summer time.

When going there we tried a 2 summer edition dango + tea set: Honey lemon and apricot flavor.
Other flavors like cherry blossom and strawberry in spring or chestnut and yuzu in winter are also available!

Oiwake dango is mainly a take away shop but it is also possible to enjoy their dango and shaved ice in the small tea shop at the back (10 to 30 min wait usually). We recommend coming a few hours before closing time for takeaway, as almost everything will be most likely sold out every day.

Info ⬇️
Take away : open everyday 10:30-19:00
Tea shop : 12:00-18:30 on weekdays and 11:30-18:00 on weekends and national holidays

Closed every year on January 1st and 2nd

3min walk from Shinjuku Sanchome station

#🍡

18/06/2024

When Japanese people go to an izakaya restaurant in Japan, we almost always order a sashimi platter. Do you know what “sashimi” means?

“Sashimi” (お刺身) and “Otsukuri” (お造り) both refer to a type of Japanese cuisine where fresh seafood and other ingredients are sliced raw and eaten with seasonings like soy sauce. The culture of eating raw fish slices developed mainly in the Kanto region during the Edo period when soy sauce began to be mass-produced. At that time, the word “cut” (切る) was considered inauspicious, so the dish came to be known as “sashimi” (刺身).

Later, as this practice spread across the country, in Kyoto, even the word “pierce” (刺す) was thought to be unlucky, leading to the use of the term “tsukuri” or “otsukuri” (造り or お造り). The term “otsukuri” implies not only simple slices but also includes the idea of crafting the dish with extra touches, such as garnishing with daikon radish or shiso leaves, or tightening the slices with kelp.

In modern times, “sashimi” is used as a general term for fresh raw slices, including meat from animals like beef or horse, and even processed items like konnyaku (a type of jelly). On the other hand, “otsukuri” tends to refer to more elaborately presented seafood, often arranged decoratively, such as in a boat-shaped platter.

Sashimi plate from our favorite seafood izakaya in Shinjuku, Takamaru sengyoten!

Info ⬇️
Takamaru sengyoten Shinjuku
3 locations in Shinjuku
Open everyday 11:00-23:00

13/06/2024

KUBOTA SAKE BAR in Shibuya 🍶

Located in the basement floor of Shibuya PARCO, inside of Chaos kitchen, The Mirai Sake Store / Kubota Sake Bar is an english speaking sake bar you definitely want to try when coming to Tokyo.

This bar is mostly famous for the artificial intelligence-powered YUMMY SAKE service to analyze your sake preferences from among twelve categories.
The experience takes about 15 to 20 minutes, everything in english by scanning a QR code and sorting out a test on your phone by rating 10 mysterious sake. Once you get your personalized sake type, staff will offer you a glass of Kubota sake that matches your preferences. (possible to buy the bottle after as well).
The food menu is small but was thought to match the sake they offer. Chaos kitchen, the restaurant floor of Shibuya PARCO has a wide range of cool izakaya to choose from before or after getting your sake!

For those who just want to enjoy a glass of sake, prices start at 550¥. And for those who want to go all the way and try as many types of sake as possible they also offer an “all you can drink” menu for 2750¥, 60min.

Cherry on the cake, it is possible to purchase sake bottles there.

Info ⬇️
Everyday 13:00-22:30
YUMMY SAKE Tasting Kit: 2,500¥（2,750¥ including tax）
B2 floor of Shibuya PARCO, 6min walk from Shibuya station

06/03/2024

🐷Tonkatsu in Shinjuku🐷

If you joined our izakaya food tour in Shinjuku, you probably tried pour favorite Tonkatsu in the area.

is an institution in Shinjuku, their main restaurant is located inside the red light district of Tokyo, Kabukicho. They’re in business since 1961 and are overly famous for their amazing breaded fried pork cutlet.

They only use domestic pork, you can even get a higher quality Kagoshima black pork (kurobuta), known for its juicy and tender meat but less fatty (0,4% of fat in the cultlet).
Another strong point for Tonkatsu Niimura is that they make their own Tonkatsu sauce, and this one is a secret recipe they created 60 years ago.

To get the juiciest Tonkatsu, they deep fry it, and then bake it in the oven, to get rid of some of the extra fat and making it more tender. 🤤

Tonkatsu pork cutlet set meal including cabbage salad, rice, and pork miso soup is at 1,130¥ or 1800¥ after lunch time hours.
If you wish to grade up your meat for Kagoshima kurobuta, 3,100¥ for a set meal.

Info ⬇️

Main shop is open everyday from 10:30am to 06:00am (last order at 05:15am)

7min away from Shinjuku station east exit
1min away from Shinjuku Gozilla building

#とんかつにいむら

26/02/2024

Happy valentine to chocolate and strawberries lovers 🍓🍫💝

You might have heard of .jp pancake already, a famous fluffy pancake chain in Tokyo.
Flipper’s concept “egg farm to table” puts the accent on extra fresh eggs, super important to give that fluffy texture to their pancakes.

You can find 4 locations in Tokyo (Shibuya, Shimokitazawa, Jiyugaoka, Kichijoji) and one in Osaka (Umeda). We recommend to you to check every shop’s menu on their website as they all have store limited pancakes.

However, this valentine edition with double amount of strawberries, chocolate chips, chocolate ice cream and chocolate sauce is available in every store until 2/29!! ✨❤️

Info ⬇️
Flipper’s Shimokitazawa open 11:00-20:00 on weekdays and 10:30-20:00 on weekends and national holidays

Other location in Shibuya, Jiyugaoka, Kichijoji and Umeda (in Osaka)

5min walk from Shimokitazawa station

26/02/2024

Another edition of great sushi at !

We already introduced this place a few ago, but we were so amazed by the quality of the sushi we decided to go again.

Sushi plate of the day was (from the closer one) :
Chutoro aburi (medium fatty tuna seared), Akami tuna (lean), shore dotterel, oyster, squid. 5 pieces for 2500¥

Open for lunch and coffee time, they serve sushi and fresh seafood recommendation daily. The concept is izakaya style cafe available from lunch to dinner time with soft and alcoholic drinks options!

The menu can varies but they always serve different types of sushi. They also offer a omakase sushi course of 2:30 hours in the evening for 6000¥ per person. Which is an extremely good value for the nice time you’ll spend there in a cozy and relaxing atmosphere (unlike most of omakase places that can be sometimes intimidating).

The first floor has a large counter where regular customers come to have conversation and connections. Tables sits on the second floor where you can see the wooden framework of the house.

When spending a few days in Tokyo, we recommend you to try other neighborhoods that are not necessarily famous but where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a real Tokyo, where locals have a good time after work and on weekends. And Higashi Nakano, where this place is, is the perfect example!

Info ⬇️
Mon / Tue / Thu / Sat 12:00 to 24:00
Sun 09:00 to 18:00 (breakfast available)
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservation required for omakase sushi course
2 min walk from Higashi Nakano station

#🍣

20/02/2024

Homemade matcha donut 🍩 🍵✨

is a coffee shop specializing in donuts that are freshly baked everyday!
Located close to Sumida river, about a 20 walk from Asakusa station, walking along the river.

This place is still a hidden gem far from the touristy area of Asakusa.

You can get seasonal donuts, raspberry pistachio, maple bacon, glazed lemon, whipped cream and even more!
It is also possible to get a plain donut and make a breakfast plate with bacon&egg or French fries.

Info ⬇️
Morning 09:00-11:00
Lunch 11:00-15:00
Coffee until 18:00
8 min walk from Asakusabashi station

25/01/2024

Fish, drinks, and dark roasted coffee in the same place ?

We found the perfect combination of those 3 at ! 🐟 ☕️ 🍣
Open for lunch and coffee time, they serve sushi and fresh seafood recommendation daily. Th concept is izakaya style cafe available from lunch to dinner time with soft and alcoholic drinks options!

We tried in the same order of the pictures:
-white fleshed fish sashimi plate to share
-assortment of homemade tsukemono (japanese pickles)
-some extra fresh HUGE oysters
-sushi plate of the day
-kanpyo maki at the end (dried bottle gourd roll)

The menu can varies but they always serve different types of sushi. They also offer a omakase sushi course of 2:30 hours in the evening for 6000¥ per person. Which is an extremely good value for the nice time you’ll spend there in a cozy and relaxing atmosphere (unlike most of omakase places that can be sometimes intimidating).

The first floor has a large counter where regular customers come to have conversation and connections. Tables sits on the second floor where you can see the wooden framework of the house.

When spending a few days in Tokyo, we recommend you to try other neighborhoods that are not necessarily famous but where you can enjoy the atmosphere of a real Tokyo, where locals have a good time after work and on weekends. And Higashi Nakano, where this place is, is the perfect example!

Info ⬇️
Mon / Tue / Thu / Sat 12:00 to 24:00
Sun 09:00 to 18:00 (breakfast available)
Closed on Wednesdays
Reservation required for omakase sushi course
2 min walk from Higashi Nakano station

#🍣

20/01/2024

If you get tired of walking all around Tokyo, we found a great place to chill and enjoy a hot drink in a modern cozy atmosphere.
This is under the JR lines tracks at Okachimachi station. It is a 10min walk from Ueno park too.

What is great about this place is that every food is fresh and prepared by the staff daily. This is a New York style coffee shop that offers affordable food and drinks. Their most famous being the egg salad sandwich called the “egg baby sand” and egg custard pudding (see the other post).
The sandwich has 2 wholes soft eggs boiled to perfection! Plus, the egg baby sandwich set includes French fries and a small salad for 1000¥!

They also offer free wifi and a free refill coffee system!

Info ⬇️
Opens everyday from 10:00 to 22:00
Free wifi

15/01/2024

Tired of Tonkatsu and beef Katsu ?
At our favorite seafood izakaya in Shinjuku .no2, they now serve tuna Katsu on their limited item menu! 🐟

This izakaya specializes in seafood they get directly from Toyosu fish market in Tokyo. The owner is a fish monger and can get the best deals!
They have a regular menu and a huge seasonal menu that change all the time. Last time we went we were lucky enough to get the chance to try this amazing fresh lean tuna fried cutlet. It also came with a homemade tartar sauce.
The tuna flesh melts in your mouth and paired with the richness of the sauce it’s a perfect dish to get in winter with a beer or sake 🍺🍶

11/01/2024

Open since October 2023, .angela is still one of the hidden gems in Kawaguchiko, the Fuji lake area. 🗻

Kawaguchi lake is famous for onsen, nature and its magnificent view of Mt Fuji. It’s about 2 hours train from Shinjuku station to Kawaguchiko station.
New shops and restaurants are quite rare in this area, as it tends to be more traditional.

Every flavor’s ingredients are carefully selected and are seasonal! When we visited in January they had kabocha (japanese pumpkin), pistachio, vegan dark chocolate, cookies and cream and more!

The texture of their ice cream is thick, creamy, strong in flavors. We tried pistachio and hazelnut and the pistachio ice cream was the best we had in our life for sure!

The vibe inside is peaceful and you get transported to America during the 50s thanks to their vintage furniture directly imported from the U.S.

Info ⬇️

-Closed on Mondays
-7 minutes walk from the Kubota Icchiku museum bus stop

04/01/2024

Japanese fusion and drinks pairing in the trendy neighborhood of Shimokitazawa at ✨

This place is runned by two food lovers, the owner Shion Kakizaki, a caviste who learned about wine in Sicilia and the chef Takuto Nakamura, who studied in France.
They select simple ingredients and create the best food and drinks pairings to make your experience special. You’ll get to try several types of wine and sake! 🍶🍷

Dinner course is 16,500¥ and reservation has to be made on their website only.

Info ⬇️
Dinner time 18:00 to 21:00
Lunch from 12:00, Saturday and Sunday only
Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday

19/12/2023

Savoring the art of Japanese cuisine and sake symphony in the chic vibes of Ebisu. Elevate your taste buds at , where every dish tells a story, and every sip of sake is unique.
Their lunch course menu starts at 7000¥, 8000¥ for dinner menu, sake pairing included!!! 🍶✨
It’s a great chance to try various Japanese local ingredients and sake from different prefectures.
The staff will kindly explain you each sake and food pairing so you can have not only a fantastic experience but also learn something new.

⬇️
All information for reservation is on the link you can find on their Google maps location.
Closed on Tuesdays

30/11/2023

Let’s go try a fusion French Japanese place close to Tokyo station, .
This place specializes in kushiage (fried skewers originated in Osaka) with a fancy french touch and a seasonal menu.
Dinner course is around 8,000¥ and lunch from 1,800¥ only!

We tried their scallop sakura mayonnaise skewer, lamb and spices skewer and more…!

We recommend you make reservation on their website (available in English), even for lunch time as it’s quite popular. 😉