Tokyo Eats: The Gindaco

Takoyaki (according to Wikipedia) is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan.  It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, and green onion.  Takoyaki are brushed with takoyaki sauce, similar to Worcestershire sauce, and mayonnaise.  The takoyaki is then sprinkled with green laver (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito (katsuobushi).

Takoyaki also happens to be one of my favorite snacks of all time.  These little glorious balls have always had a special place in my (fat) heart ever since I tried the not-so-authentic-but-still-so-good Samurai takoyaki back when I was in still in kindergarten.  Since then, whenever I find myself in front of a takoyaki stand - be it in a school fair, a foodcourt or a restaurant, I just had to order one.

I had my first taste of The Gindaco takoyaki a few years back in Hong Kong when they still had a branch in front of Times Square, Causeway Bay.  Much to my dismay, they had already closed the following year when I went back.  So when I saw The Gindaco again after all these years, you can bet I'll find time to savor these yummy balls. 

Nomnomnom.  Not all takoyakis are made the same.  The Gindaco's version is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.  Plus points for huge octopus chunks that you can actually chew on.  The only thing I'm not too happy about is the fact that they also incorporated some ginger into the balls, and ginger is not my friend.  LOL.  Other than that, I'm a happy camper!  4 out of 5 stars!

The Gindaco is at 1 Chome-14-24 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001

Osaka: Where and What to Eat

From my previous post, I've mentioned that Dotonbori in Osaka has a whole stretch of restaurants.  We were able to try some of them during our trip and one realization I have is that the Japanese really have a passion for food.  95% of what we ate during our short 4-day stay was delicious!  Advanced apologies though, this list is not complete, and only one of them has an English name.  But no worries, I've also taken photos of the store signages in case you guys are in Osaka and would want to try out  some of the restaurants I featured here.   

Chibo

Osaka is famous for two main food items.  This is the first one:  Okonomiyaki, which is a Japanese pancake.  Before our trip to Osaka, Chibo came highly recommended by two people, so it was indeed a must-try.  Good thing too because the signage has English so it was way easier for us to find.

Okonomiyaki

So how was Chibo's okonomiyaki?  Er...  truth be told, we didn't like it.  Disappointed would be the word.  We expected something soft, moist and fluffy that will send you straight to orgasmic fantasies but this one did nothing like that.  What we got was a piece of pancake that was quite dry and a bit overcooked.  Must have been a off day for the chef because my friend D who recommended Chibo couldn't believe it when I told him that it wasn't good.  He actually thought there was something wrong with my tastebuds.  LOL.  I assured him that nothing was wrong with me because two of us tried it and we both didn't like it.  As I said, off day.  Sad though because we weren't able to go back and try it once again.

The second food item which Osaka is known for would be the takoyaki.  Many of us here in the Philippines is familiar with this one because you can practically find this everywhere - from the streets, to the malls and even bazaars!  And in Osaka, there was definitely no shortage of takoyakis because the stretch of Dotonbori has 5 or more stalls selling takoyaki.  We wanted to try each one initially but our tummies wouldn't permit it, so we had to decide on one.  What made us go for this one was that the queue was much longer compared to the others.

Takoyaki

Sadly, once again, this one failed in comparison to the better takoyakis we've had here in Manila.  I regret for not going takoyaki-hopping.  Maybe next time...

After the unsatisfying okonomiyaki and takoyaki (yes, we ate all these on the same night!), Hubby suggested we try a restaurant we passed by earlier.  We were intrigued by the black cow hanging on the side of their signage.  Upon closer inspection, it was indeed a restaurant that serves wagyu beef.  After that realization, we were inside faster than you can say "wagyu"!

Wagyu

Don't ask me how it was because by merely judging the marbling of the pieces served to us, it was a little piece of heaven!  Literally melt in your mouth!  The wagyu was coated with some kind of sauce (tasted like teriyaki sauce) when served, which added to the flavor of the beef.  Oishi! (means delicious in Japanese)

When in Osaka, do go for the okonomiyaki and takoyaki.  Though we did not enjoy the ones we tried, I'm not closing my doors on those two because I know there's definitely other restaurants that serve better versions of it.  And do not ever miss out on the wagyu beef!  Also strongly recommended are the sushis and surprise surprise, packed meals from 7-Eleven.  

Don't worry, my food posts are not done yet.  Among all the restaurants we've tried during our stay in Osaka, one did extremely stand out.  And boy, our palate got so spoiled with this one, things will never be the same again.  Watch out for it!

Dotonbori is at Dotonbori, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

TeaTap Cafe

Once upon a time, amidst all the milk tea shops along Wilson St., another tea shop opens.  It's name?  TeaTap Cafe.  While this tea shop is unknown, soon people started hanging out there and in no time, it became the not-so-secret spot for all milk tea lovers.  What I specially love about TeaTap Cafe is their cozy interiors.  If you're one to frequent almost all the milk tea shops like me, then you will agree with me that most of them lack the interior factor.  This is where TeaTap Cafe veers away from the norm and looks inviting enough that you'll feel like staying longer.  Plus points that their place is very spacious and quiet.  Perfect whether you'd want to bring a book with you, or just to casually catch up with friends over a cup of yummy milk tea.  Oh and did I mention that they have food too?  Not just food, but good food.  Here let me show you:

Royal Black Milk Tea with Pearl

Ebiko Pasta

Takoyaki

Curry Hamburg Rice

Hungry now?  As you can see, they don't scrimp on ingredients.  Everything, and I mean everything tastes delicious.  I particularly love their Royal Milk Tea, because I think it's one of the strongest milk teas in the market.  So next time you find yourself in Wilson St. San Juan, whether you want to grab a quick drink or a quick bite, why not try out TeaTap Cafe?  You won't regret it.  

TeaTap Cafe is at G/F Ongpauco Sisters Bldg., P. Guevarra cor Wilson St. Greenhills, San Juan.