Tamahide 玉ひで: Birthplace of Oyakodon

It's not even opened yet but queue starts to form outside the white two-storey building right in the heart of Ningyocho. This is not surprising, for this is the place where Oyakodon was born. Oyako-don, a rather nice sounding (yet cruel) name that refers to the hen and her children (the eggs) being placed together in the same bowl of rice. The shop began as a place that sells chicken hotpot more than 250 years old, but Oyakodon did not...

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Zen Kashoin 然花抄院 : Wagashi House from Kyoto

Besides Kyo Hayashiya and Tsujiri, there are actually many other places that can satisfy matcha cravings. Zen Kashoin is a Kyoto Wagashi House that has opened a branch in Tokyo.  茶庭ノ膳(1,400円 for set) is a platter that consists of "Zen" Castella, Seikakan matcha cake and Takigi (「然」かすてら、聖花冠 抹茶、薪). The brown sticks called Takigi are twice-baked brown sugar dough that are looser and crunchier than Pocky Sticks. It's signature item is...

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The Living Cafe: A Yen for Raw

Inspired by my vegan chef-friend Adeline, I called Miss X along for some healthy food at The Living Cafe located in Bukit Timah. At the heart of TLC menu is RAW Food or RAW-Fusion Food. It uses no red meat, no cow dairy, no white sugar, no preservatives, no additives, no artificial colorings and include gluten free alternatives. So if you are quick to spot the (loop)holes, this place is not entirely vegan, as it serves things like salmon and...

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Viron Boulangerie ブラッスリー・ヴィロン

The red exterior of Viron is too conspicuous to go unnoticed. As a highly popular boulangerie that first opened its doors in Shibuya, it is the only bakery that uses the flour called Retro D'or from France Minoteries Viron. Echire butter is also used and it is no wonder that the combination of two super ingredients yields fantastic pastries. Sandwich Provençal ¥609 stood out among the cold sandwich section because of its vibrant red bits. This...

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