Tsudoi, Underground Noodle Bar

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tsudoi

Only in Japan will you find a noodle bar that is purposefully tucked away without desperate marketing moves on social media accounts. Located in Fukuoka's cultural hotbed of Yakuin, Tsudoi's noodle offerings are not described as ramen, soba, or udon, but as "this" or "that". Everything about the menu to the decor and attitude is strange (in a good way). Don't bother asking about the ingredients because you'll get the GTFOH face. Tsudoi is a regular for local artists, skaters, designers, weirdos and for those that prefer a little something different.

"AreH" Noodle bowl

"AreH" Noodle bowl

The interior is covered with retro posters/flyers along with works of local artists such as KYNE and NONCHELEE (the duo runs a shop called ON AIR). This obscure noodle shop is where you will be able to connect with individuals who are progressing the creative cultures of the neighborhood. Order a bowl of "areh" noodles along with "scent of the evening" cocktails and take in the exciting time for Yakuin.

TSUDOI
3-7-30 Yakuin, Chuo
Fukuoka, Fukuoka 810-0022

Monday thru Saturday 8:00PM-2:00AM

 

Kayaba Coffee

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Kayaba Coffee

A short ride north of the megapolis' center of central Tokyo is Yanaka of Taitō district, a shitamachi neighborhood with the old Tokyo vibes still in place. Yanaka is the opposite of Akihabara's digital blocks of the matrix. You might catch a delusional cosplaying character from Ohio in this part of town, but certainly not in Yanaka. Taitō district's planners are witnessing great interest from foreign visitors and are pursuing efforts to introduce local arts, artisans, small businesses and other attractions. Kayaba Coffee is guaranteed to be in the conversation when Yanaka is mentioned. Kayaba Coffee's building has been standing since 1916 with the kissaten (cafe) in business from 1938 until 2006 when the original owner has passed. The kissaten was revived in 2009 with the help and collabo of locals, Taito Cultural & Historical Society and SCAI The Bathhouse. Yuko Nagayama & Associates delivered the architectural duties of refreshening the space with Japanese minimalism and midcentury feels. Just absolute-ism. It is in the fabric of the people to conduct practices without the disturbing of things that exist whether they're living things or not. The final product for the coffee shop is an unassuming old building but modern without it being some w.a.c.k. glass building by a VC with 24 successful apps. This approach is a common understanding in the "new" modern in design, business decisions and having responsibilities as members of this planet. Kayaba is a reference point for Japan's reign on having untouchable coffee shops. Find yourself with patrons ranging from young creative types decked out in Supreme and Palace to classy folks of age who have been regulars for years. Order their legendary egg sandwich (¥‎500) with a cup of coffee and act like you know. With the attention to detail you will expect local sourced ingredients which of course they deliver on. Take a stroll to SCAI The Bathhouse after you achieved one of your #lifegoals in visiting one of the coolest coffee shops in the world. 

Kayaba Coffee
6-1-29 Yanaka
Taito, Tokyo 110-0001
http://kayaba-coffee.com

Monday thru Saturday 8:00AM-11:00PM, Sunday 8:00AM-6:00PM
Morning Menu 8:00AM-11:00AM, Lunch Menu 11:30AM-2:00PM, Tea Time Menu 2:00PM

 

Sansou Murata Yufuin

/ 山荘無量塔/
Sansou Murata

Sansou Murata makes you question all the things you've considered to be of beauty in the past. When you're backpacking without an agenda on the other side of the world you come across miracles like this. Life just happens that way. Murata is a complex of an ultra fine ryokan, Sansou Murata; craft/artisan shop, a restaurant, a chocolatier, a cafe/bar, crack roll cakes from B-speak, a museum and Fusho-an, the most sensory stimulating soba restaurant on the planet. Basically every aspect of life can be enjoyed at the Murata empire. Murata is located in Yufuin of Oita prefecture, one of the popular onsen regions in Japan. People throw around the term "zen" loosely, but being in the presence of true attention to detail that works in harmony with nature all comes together in this surreal getaway. As with most efforts in Japan, Murata's offerings are of course locally sourced from the surrounding mountains and forests of Yufuin. Murata attracts international tourists who appreciate the serenity of an onsen ryokan to fans of the design firm Simplicity who delivered an amazing identity system and interior design. Murata is a true fantasy for Monocle fans and the like.


Sansou Murata
1264-2 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita
http://www.sansou-murata.com/e/index.html (English)
http://www.sansou-murata.com

 

Soranoiro Nippon for Vegan Ramen

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Veggie Soba (¥1100)

Soranoiro came through stacked with ramen awards a few years back. They have since branched out and now have a total of three shops. One of them is situated in Tokyo Station's Ramen Street aka paradise for ramen stans. Soranoiro is of course famous for their unique veggie/vegan ramen. The hunt for healthy options are always on the counter from all the street trash consumed throughout the years growing up in New York. The soup is made from carrots and does not taste like anything you'd imagine. Soranoiro's veggie ramen easily stands at one of the top ramen spots in Tokyo. You may get swayed by the famous tsukemen at Rokurinsha which is at the corner of Soranoiro. Take a chance with the healthy. If you really need to get down and dirty then opt for the more traditional pork broth.

Soranoiro
1-9-1 Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo Station Ramen Street
http://soranoiro.towapla.jp

11:00AM-9:00PM

 

Curry Up, Hype Appetite

/ Curry Up/

Combination Curry: Saag Paneer + Butter Chicken (¥1100)

Curry Up is a chill curry shop by former A Bathing Ape god body, NIGO. The shop is situated in a quiet area at the border of Harajuku and Sendagaya. There is a lot going around in this region ranging from Tokyo's most talked about coffee shops, Vice Japan, to the most thoroughbred sweatshirt/fleece brand in the world. Everything about Curry Up is executed with attention from the name (apparently coined by Pharrell), brand identity, interior design by Masamichi Katayama (Wonderwall) and of course dish presentation. Most importantly Curry Up is bougie safe. Take a stroll through Sendagaya and go for some curry.

Curry Up
2-35-9-105 Jingumae Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
http://www.curryup.jp

Monday thru Saturday 11:30AM-9:00PM, Sunday 11:30-8:00PM
Lunch Time 11:30AM-5:00PM, Dinner 5:00PM-closing