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want to meet at fmd_good Wildlife Reserve
want to meet at fmd_good Market Deli
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Finding that perfect onigiri
For something a bit different, the tarako (salted cod roe) onigiri is a solid pick. It's milder than mentaiko but still has that nice briny pop. If you're brave, grab the konbu (kelp) one, it's sweet and savory and way better than it sounds. That Family Mart near Shinjuku Gyoen usually has a good selection since it's busy, but I'd also check the 7-Eleven across the street for their karaage (fried chicken) onigiri, it's a messy delight.
If the Family Mart has it, the saba shioyaki (grilled mackerel) onigiri is a sleeper hit. It's flaky, salty, and feels way fancier than a 130 yen grab-and-go. Otherwise, keep an eye out for any seasonal tsukimi (moon-viewing) ones with egg, those pop up around autumn and are super rich.
Depends what you call unusual, I guess. Family Mart's selection rotates, but if they have the mentaiko (spicy cod roe) onigiri, grab that. It's pretty common but the flavor is intense and not your average tuna mayo. If you're really feeling adventurous and they have it, try the umeboshi (pickled plum) one. It's an acquired taste, to say the least, but a very traditional Japanese onigiri flavor. Prepare for a sour punch! But yeah, avoid anything with "seaweed" prominently featured on the packaging, after your last experience, I understand your apprehension. Good luck!
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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