Create meetup in Tokyochevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
want to meet at fmd_good Wildlife Reserve
want to meet at fmd_good Market Deli
explore Tokyo Guides
bar_chart Trends in Tokyo
Anyone know how to check which Izakayas are streaming the olympics?
If you're near Ueno, check out the area under the train tracks - there's a row of tiny yakitori places called "Yakitori Alley" that all have TVs. They're not fancy but they're cheap and the old guys running them will absolutely have the Olympics on. For oolong tea, bring a canned one from the vending machine outside, most of those places won't mind since they're more about the food than the drinks. The whole vibe there is casual and nobody's checking what you're drinking.
honestly just wander into any izakaya in shibuya or shinjuku with a tv, most will have the olympics on if it's prime time. for the oolong tea specifically, you'll want to look for izakayas that have a "non-alcohol" section on their menu or a sign that says "soft drink" - places that cater to families or have a wider drink menu are your best bet. there's a chain called torikizoku that always has oolong tea and tvs, they're everywhere in tokyo
Torikizoku's a solid bet like the other person said, but if you want a more local vibe try the izakayas in Koenji or Shimokitazawa. They're less touristy and the owners are usually happy to switch the channel to the Olympics if you ask nicely. For oolong tea, pretty much any place with a proper drink menu will have it even if it's not listed, just say "oolong cha kudasai" and you're good.
load 1 more reply
Where can I find crispy, pan-fried bacon similar to a certain international style?
if u have a costco membership the kirkland thick cut is the move, 4 packs of 500g for around 2500 yen and it crisps up proper in a cold pan. for smaller runs, precce in azabudai hills & the basement at isetan shinjuku both carry imported US & danish brands in the chilled case, just read the label for "thick cut" or "smoked" and not "loin". also worth knowing japanese bacon is often wet-cured so pat it dry before frying or it steams instead of crisping
kaldi coffee farm is hit or miss but their smoked bacon from denmark shows up pretty regular, the 200g pack runs about 600 yen. what actually works better for me is asking the butcher counter at peacock or life to slice the block bacon thick, like 5mm, they do it for free and it crisps way better than the pre-packed stuff. also fwiw cheap bacon crisps faster, the fatty supermarket kind at 300 yen a pack works fine if u cook it from cold in a dry pan and pour off the fat as it renders.
tbh the gyomu super store brand bacon is surprisingly decent for crisping up, its not thick cut but if you cook it low and slow it gets pretty crunchy. the key is the dry cure vs wet cure thing, wet cure steams. also check hanamasa if you have one nearby, they sell big packs of american style bacon thats actually smoked and firm.