YOGORO

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Chicken Spinach Curry

Chicken Spinach Curry

Curry has an interesting place in Japanese cuisine. It was introduced by the British navy in the late 1800s during the occupation of India. Ironically, it was introduced by the white man and was considered a western style dish. Soon after it was chopped and remixed like how the Japanese do. It is said that curry was introduced to the Japanese navy to combat Thiamine deficiency. Japanese curry became a national dish overnight and is now enjoyed globally. Take a stroll through downtown NYC and you'll run across several Japanese curry shops. Tokyo has been experiencing a new curry wave by young chefs taking new approaches on the classic Japanese curry. One shop doing it correct is Yogoro in the Sendagaya section of Shibuya district. Located in an in-the-know neighborhood, you might just catch the prince charming himself Yosuke Kubozuka dining at this cool little curry shop. A quick google search will return with the green color curry that everyone seems to order. That green color curry would be the spinach curry or saag paneer for the technical cats. Unlike the traditional saag paneer, Yogoro's spinach curry offering is their take on the dish. The curry here is not quite Japanese nor is it quite Indian which is the approach many of the new curry shops in Japan are messing with. Like everywhere else in Tokyo, Sendagaya is worth the stroll through cool boutiques and coffee shops before or after grubbin' at Yogoro.

yogoro curry

YOGORO
2-20-10 Jingumae 1F
Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0001

Monday thru Friday 11:30AM-4:00PM Lunch, 6:30PM-8:00PM Dinner
Saturday 11:30AM-4:00PM

 

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

 

SCAI THE BATHHOUSE

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SCAI THE BATHHOUSE is the perfect example of what makes Yanaka one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Tokyo. SCAI THE BATHHOUSE was formerly a bathhouse for 200 years before being converted into a gallery. The conversion is designed tastefully to let the structure exist without disrupting the shitamachi district. Artists such as Mono-ha movement's Lee Ufan and psychedelic-meets-surrealism-meets-dada-meets pop art master Tadanori Yokoo exhibit their work frequently at the gallery. The gallery has introduced Japanese avant-garde artists to the world as well as exhibit artists from abroad. The gallery's existence is unique and relevant in contemporary art. SCAI THE BATHHOUSE is a recommended destination while strolling through the Yanaka neighborhood via Nippori Station or Ueno Station.


SCAI THE BATHHOUSE
6-1-23 Yanaka, Taito, Tokyo
scaithebathhouse.com


 

have a good time

/ have a good time/

*have a good time has moved to their newer and larger location just a few steps away at:
1-4-18 Nakameguro

have a good time is a select clothing and culture shop in the heart of Nakameguro. It's your favorite in-the-know-cool-guy's favorite shop. No-BS street cred here because they don't care and instead create it. The world's most prolific graffiti writers, skaters from your favorite skate videos, bougie museum artists and douche-bag celebrities all have made this shop their hangout. The people surrounding the shop have helped shape this unique Tokyo institution. The shop offers selects from brands such as have a good time, HOMERUN, Cav Empt, bedlam, MANKIND, BLOHM and other small Tokyo brands. Hard to get zines from around the world as well as small accessories and local independent music are always in stock. The interior is covered from corner to corner with all kinds of paraphernalia collected from across the world. It's a beautiful mess. It's one of those shops that are absolutely unique to Tokyo and must be visited to experience. Cop a tee or two as distribution is limited outside of Japan.

 

have a good time
1-2-14 Nakameguro, Meguro, Tokyo
have-a-goodtime.com

Open Daily
11:00AM-8:00PM

 

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