✈️ Tokyo’18

UMAMI AND SO GOOD!!!

Ok I know I made it sound really exciting but sorry to burst your bubble, this place literally serves the crappiest food EVER. Can you believe the spread above cost us $40? Steamed vegetables that aren’t even seasoned, pickled radish that made us gag...it’s as if Mark(the owner) served us this just for laughs. You’re essentially paying for a play but don’t expect anything from the actual meal or drinks!

I have no words to describe this trippy and insanely psychedelic cabaret club...but hey, it’s not all about the gram here; the food served is surprisingly decent. Though the popcorn shrimps were pretty meh and err a little burnt, let’s take a moment to appreciate the thought that went into the rainbow dip - instead of just coloured mayo/chili/ketchup, they have flavors like wasabi mayo(green) and sour cream and onion(blue) which I truly enjoyed and stuffed my face with!!! Even the chili-tomato(red) had an underlying hint of smokey BBQ sauce! Okay that’s all, I was just really SHOCKED that the food was actually edible

Finally giving the real deal (I.e.: NOT in instant noodle form) a taste and there’s no going back!!! Gone are the days of ordering boxes of these babies on airfrov - even if you’ve mastered the art of instant ramen, nothing can compare to the authentic experience of slurping up the piping hot bowl that is set before you with the constant shouts of “IRASSHAIMASE” in the background😂
You can customize nearly the entire bowl here, varying factors like richness of broth, spice level, amount of garlic & cha shu, etc. We went with all the recommended servings and had no regrets!!! Tonkotsu broth was absolutely rich and creamy, fully encapsulating the essence of pork bone and yet still managing not to overwhelm the senses. This fullness is paired perfectly with their thin variety al dente noodles that are surprisingly firm; even the finely sliced cha shu hides a surprise with its fatty, melty texture - immediately apparent upon being popped in one’s mouth! Though the egg could’ve been better marinated, I’d say this bowl far exceeds expectations...and I came expecting A LOT!! P.S.: this place uses the vending machine system so pls don’t be a dumbfounded tourist (like me) and hold up the entire queue!!!😋

A mixture of Chinese and Japanese cuisine, these paos are Setagaya’s very own creation!! On this tiny plate, pillowy lotus leaf buns struggle to contain lettuce leaves and an abundance of sweet & spicy sesame sauce that literally drenches a never-before-seen thick cut of chashu (think slightly thicker than 2 of my sausage fingers). And the cha shu...I don’t think I’ve ever had something quite like this in Singapore. Each slice comprises alternating layers of tender lean meat and melt-in-your-mouth fat, forming an overall juicy slab that is further torched to perfection; this heavy, smoky char is EXACTLY what I desire at 2am after a whole day of flying!!! 🤤