KOKORO Monthly Nourishing Essentials CARES PACKAGE (MAY 2019) REVIEW

I really miss the authentic flavor of Japan! This is why I am very excited to try out Kokoro's Nourishing Essentials Cares Package, which comes with 5 different types of essentials: snack, seasoning, beverage, sauce, and noodle! It's almost the end of the Spring season, so I take this chance to take photographs at my garden under the warm sun. *\ ^0^ /*

Premium Matcha from JAPANESE GREEN TEA COMPANY

*** 10% OFF ***

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Matcha 抹茶 (Green tea powder) is such a healthy drink, and I am so glad it is back to my diet recently. This time I am trying a brand from Japanese Green Tea Company, who sources their tea directly from Arahataen Green Tea Farms in the Shizuoka prefecture, Japan. This is a premium Matcha that I really enjoy, don't forget to use my coupon code JFOODIE if you are planning to give it a try!

Ryokan Experience at Miyamasou 美山荘, Kyoto JAPAN

In Winter 2016, it was my first time experiencing a Ryokan 旅館 or traditional Japanese inn. Miyamasou 美山荘 was not only famous for their unique Kyoto mountain lodging, their restaurant was also highly recognized and was already awarded with 2 Michelin stars at the time.

Ryokan Inn Breakfast at Miyamasou 美山荘, Kyoto JAPAN

Rice, Pickles, Grilled Mackerel, Miso Soup, Ume Tea

Vegetable Nimono (Simmered dish) with red carrot!

Breakfast at Miyamasou actually looks simple and casual, not the luxurious ones that you would think of from most Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). The meal is humble, primarily based on freshly picked local resources and Japanese mountain cuisine. Overall, breakfast is light and comfortable. Ingredients are simple, but prepared in a fine manner. It makes you cherish every single piece of vegetable.

Cream Anmitsu, Age-Manju (Fried Mochi Dough), Tokoroten (Seaweed Jelly Noodle in Cold Sauce) at Takemura 竹むら, Tokyo JAPAN

Takemura 竹むら is a traditional Japanese dessert shop located near the historical landmark, Old Manseibashi Station. The specialty of this sweet shop is "Manju-Age", which is a fried mochi dough with azuki red bean paste inside! I also highly recommend traditional Japanese sweets because they contain only vegan ingredients: tea, fruits, agar jelly, soy sauce, mochi, azuki red bean paste, pea, etc.

Japanese Pancakes (Hot Cakesホットケーキ) at Pinocchio/Pinokioピノキオ, Tokyo JAPAN

Japanese Pancakes (Hot Cakesホットケーキ)

Owner Making Pancakes on an old style flat griddle!

Personally, I am not into pancakes (American pancakes), and I thought I will never be a fan of pancake. What really changed my view on pancakes is this small shop in Tokyo called Pinocchio/Pinokioピノキオ(Itabashi area). Their thick, fluffy pancakes are extraordinary! From the process of making the pancake, its beautiful color , delicious and crispy & spongy texture, I can't believe I fell in love!

** Modern Creative Kaiseki at DEN傳, Tokyo JAPAN

Chef Zaiyu Hasegawa with Black Cod Rice!

GarDEN salad with 20+ vegetable variety

While listed on "The World's 50 Best Restaurants" for a few years already, DEN傳 also just received their second Michelin star in November 2017. Thanks to Cityfoodsters's recommendation, I finally get to try DEN in Tokyo! Unlike many other upscale restaurants, DEN gave me a really heart-warming feeling from when I first stepped into the restaurant. The meal at DEN is like omakase, all depends on the chef. Here, I got 8 courses and 2 desserts, and they are all really impressive and fun by owner and chef Zaiyu Hasegawa!

Shoyu Ramen, Tori Paitan, & Karaage at Touhichi らぁ麺 とうひちKyoto, JAPAN

Shoyu Ramen

Karaage (Fried Chicken)

While browsing Google Map in Kyoto, I found a very high rated ramen shop far away from the city center. Before the shop opened for dinner, a line is already formed at shop front. Everything I ordered here are undoubtedly really good! Plus, I found one of the best karaage I've ever had!

Shoyu Ramen at Japanese Soba Noodles 蔦 Tsuta (the first Michelin starred ramen shop in the world), Tokyo JAPAN

Shoyu Ramen (used 3 kinds of soy sauce!) topped with chashu, menma, egg, scallions, and black truffle oil

Finally, I get to try the first Michelin starred ramen in the world! They used 3 types of soy sauce + black truffle sauce here. And to be honest, it's a bit salty for me. However, overall it's a great bowl with delicious chashu (pork slice), egg, menma (bamboo shoots), house-made ramen noodles, and chicken + seafood soup!

Totoro Cream Puffs and Cookies at Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory, Tokyo JAPAN

Cream Puff

Butter Cookies

Are you a fan of the famous Studio Ghibli? This is absolutely one of the most popular spots for Studio Ghibli lovers. Not only you can enjoy these cute Totoro cream puffs at their cafe, you can buy them to go from their shop as well. Just remember, arrive early before they are sold out!!

The cafe Shiro-Hige’s Cream Puff Factory 白髭のシュークリーム工房 is owned by Kyoko Miyazaki since 2007. As you already recognized the last name, Kyoko Miyazaki is actually Hayao Miyazaki's brother's wife. Their cafe specializes in making their sweets and pastries shape like Totoro or anything that related to Studio Ghibli.

*This is not the cafe from Studio Ghibli museum! 

Yuzu (Japanese Citrus) Ramen at Afuri, Harajuku Tokyo JAPAN

Yuzu Ramen

Yuzu is a type of citrus in East Asia. It might seems strange to add this flavor into ramen, but it is actually tooooo delicious to forget. Not only it has a subtle sweetness, it makes this chicken-based ramen more appetizing and refreshing!

Scallop, sea urchin, raw squid, squid ink ice cream, and Yubari melon at Hakodate Morning Market 函館朝市, Hakodate Hokkaido JAPAN

Fresh clam (scallop)

Delicious scallop!

Sea urchin 

This is the first time to visit Hakodate Morning Market ( 函館朝市, Hakodate Asaichi) in Hakodate city, Hokkaido Prefecture. This is the spot for both locals and tourist to get their fresh seafood. The market is full of fresh seafood that you can buy them alive, or sometimes they can cook it for you. You can also fish your own squid and they will prepare and cut it for you so you can enjoy fresh raw squid! For souvenirs, dried seafood like dried squid or shrimp chips are very common and easy and light to carry around. NOW, let's go discover what I found at the morning market of Hakodate!

Yakitori at 新宿西口思い出横丁Shinjuku Memory Lane, Tokyo JAPAN

Chicken Wing Yakitori

Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho 新宿西口思い出横丁 (Shinjuku Memory Lane AKA Yakitori Alley)

新宿西口思い出横丁(Pronounced "Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho" or in translated as "Shinjuku Memory Lane") is an old narrow alley packed with yakitori shops and izakaya bars since the 1940s. Located within the busy Shinjuku city, this alleyway is great to visit at night time at least once to experience the beautiful scene of lighted alleyway with red lanterns, voices of welcoming greetings from their small shops, and delicious smell of the yakitori along the lane.

I visited 3 yakitori shops tonight, and they all taste pretty good; however, I found this "tourist hot spot" a bit pricey for what they offer. (I found izakaya bars located in residential area a lot cheaper with delicious yakitori and friendlier services) Let me share my yakitori journey at Shinjuku Memory Lane with you!

あんみつ Anmitsu, 羊羹 Yokan, 抹茶 Matcha, and 最中 Monaka Souvenirs at 虎屋 Toraya, Kyoto JAPAN

Seasonal Yokan served with Matcha

Anmitsu Dessert - fruits, flavored jelly, red bean paste, and syrup

During my stay in Kyoto, I visited a traditional Japanese dessert cafe (the tea ceremony) for the first time. The place is called 虎屋菓寮 TORAYA Confectionery Cafe. (meaning tiger) They served traditional dessert such as 羊羹 Yokan (Bean Paste Block) and "Anmitsu," which consists of fruits, agar jelly, sweet azuki paste, and sweet syrup. 

After dessert at the cafe, I bought some souvenirs at the shop too. The yokan block I got is beautiful and huge! As you can see below, the texture of pink, black, and whole bean makes it really appetizing to enjoy with a cup of hot tea right away! :)

Yokan Souvenir 

Shio, Shoyu Ramen, and Tsukemen at ロックンビリーS1 (Rock'n & Billy Super 1), Hyogo JAPAN

Shio Ramen - Hinai chicken broth, chicken breast, menma, onion, scallions, yuzu zest

Shoyu Ramen - Hinai chicken broth, chicken breast, menma, onion, scallions

This is definitely one of the best ramen shop I've been so far! Recommended by many other foodies and ramen experts, 嶋崎 順一 Junichi Shimazaki's ramen has been ranked as one of the best ramen in Tokyo or as one of the "Tokyo Ramen Gods".

Made purely by one of the best species of chicken in Japan, (Akita's Hinai chicken) the chicken broth is clear and very delicious!! On top of that, chicken fat to make this bowl of ramen more addicting. The chicken breast pieces have great texture and tender. The bamboo shoot is actually crunchy (the veggie type of crunchy/crispy) and well prepared without any unwanted odor or taste. The ramen itself is thin and bouncy. It matches with the clear chicken broth perfectly.

I highly recommend all three ramen: shio, shoyu, and tsukemen. (They are all ranked #1 in 2012-2013 Ramen Reward in Japan) Of course, if you want me to really pick one, Shio ramen is the one that you can truly taste the pure Hinai chicken's flavor without any other add-on flavors. It's actually my favorite out of the three.

Grilled Gyutan (Beef Tongue) Teishoku at ねぎしNegishi, Shibuya Tokyo JAPAN

Gankochan Teishoku - lean beef tongue 1080 yen

Negishi Teishoku -  Thin Beef Tongue with high protein and low fat content 1300 yen

This is the first time I am having beef tongue. To be honest, if no one tells me this is beef tongue I couldn't even tell the difference between tongue and meat. Anyway, the meal is not bad with different types of teishoku components. There's mugi-meshi (barley and rice), oxtail soup, miso nanban & oshinko (Japanese pickles), and lastly tororo. (grated mountain yam) For tororo, it can be eaten by itself or with rice.  

Negishi - Thin Beef Tongue with high protein and low fat content

I personally like the negishi more than the gankochan because the meat is not as lean. More juice is remain within the meat. For oxtail soup, it looks absolutely like water and I felt like the taste is a bit artificial. For tororo, it is cold and slimy (like yeast batter) The taste is subtly sweet.

Spicy Miso Ramen at 鬼金棒 カラシビ 味噌らー麺 Kikanbo Spicy Ramen, Chiyoda, Tokyo JAPAN

Spicy Miso Ramen Special (Medium Spicy)

The ramen here has really strong sesame aroma. The miso broth has moderate amount of pork fat. Small pieces of ginger can be found, and makes the savory broth really tasty! The chashu meat is extremely soft that melt in your mouth. The spiciness of the ramen came from the spicy oil and sanshou mix. It is the savory type, not that kind you get in American food. (sour type spiciness)

Miso ramen (Non-spicy)

If you have a cat tongue 猫舌 (sensitive tongue on hot or spicy food), you can order a non-spicy ramen too, which the quality doesn't drop at all. 

Photo by 全国ラーメン食べ歩き情報

The Japanese name of the store is called "鬼金棒 カラシビ 味噌らー麺," translates to "Demon Kanabo Kara Shibi Miso Ramen." Kanabo is the spiky truncheon that demons are holding at all the time. And then what's Kara and Shibi? It is what this ramen shop is special for, their level of spiciness. The spiciness of the ramen is actually based on two things: your level of Kara (the regular hot) and your level of Shibi (the shop's special Sanshou mix - Sanshou 山椒 is a Japanese spice that is very similar to Sichuan Pepper, and is often used on charbroiled unagi)

Great noodle for slurping and tsukemen!

The ramen noodles they use are thicker and I realized it's so easy to slurp, which makes it great for tsukemen noodle. (Their tsukemen shop is around the corner)

Charcoal-grilled chicken & mackerel Teishoku (Japanese meal set) at 大戸屋 Ootoya, Tokyo JAPAN

Charcoal-grilled Mackerel Teishoku 858 yen

Charcoal-grilled Chicken Teishoku 855 yen

For breakfast, here we have a simple teishoku (Japanese meal set) at Ootoya, a chained teishoku restaurant in Japan. The teishoku include rice, miso soup, pickled cabbage, salad/veggies, and the main dish. You can customize and order add-on for your meal set too.

The Charcoal-grilled Mackerel is actually still a little bit fishy for me, that's why there's some pickled cabbage in the set! For the charcoal-grilled chicken, it is actually also marinated in moromi vinegar. The grilled chicken is juicy but I don't prefer eating the burnt skin. For the rice, I added Tororo (grated Japanese mountain yam) on top of it, which was alright... I have to admit, it's an acquired taste. 

Black Sesame Oil & Red Spicy Tantanmen at JTAN, Tokyo JAPAN

Red Spicy Tantanmen  900 yen

Black Sesame Oil Tantanmen 850 yen

Although the chashu (roasted pork slices) are tough, both black & red tantanmens were good overall. They are still better than most ramen I've had in the States, but not better than Oakland's Ramen Shop's Spicy Tantanmen.