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want to meet at fmd_good Brew Lab
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Are Heath/Blueport clothes decent quality?
Thanks!
honestly the heath branded stuff is fine, it's like uniqlo with better stitching and heavier fabrics. the flannels are the standout, they're thick without being stiff and the pattern matching at the seams is actually good. blueport is more of a basics line, their chinos are decent for 8000 yen but the fit is a bit boxy compared to the proper heritage stuff
if you're coming from shinjuku or something it's not worth the trip just for their house brand, but if you're already doing ueno park or the ameyoko market it's a 5 minute walk from the station. the real value is trying on the studio d'artisan stuff in person since sizing can be tricky with japanese brands
i've handled both lines in store and the main difference is the fabric sourcing. heath uses okayama mills for their denim and some of the heavier shirts, blueport is mostly domestic but not from the heritage mills. the heath loopwheel tees are the hidden gem, they're around 5000 yen and feel broken in from day one, better than what flat head or iron heart charges for basics. blueport's oxfords are fine for daily wear but the collar roll is weak compared to actual ivy repro brands
if you're doing the ueno trip already, stop by the second floor of their building where they keep the sale racks. sometimes you'll find heath flannels for 6000 yen and the pattern matching is genuinely good for that price. but don't make a special trip unless you're also hitting the vintage shops in yanaka or the knife stores in kappabashi which are nearby
heath's house stuff is solid for the price, nothing mind-blowing but it's well-constructed basic tees and flannels. blueport is a step down, more like decent mall-tier quality but with a nice handfeel. if you're already in ueno or near okachimachi station it's worth popping in for the denim and work jackets, but i wouldn't trek across town just for their in-house line. the real draw is still the momotaro and studio d'artisan racks, those are the ones that justify the trip
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.
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