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 Forno Centrale
want to meet at fmd_good Funland
want to meet at fmd_good Nature Park
explore Tokyo Guides
bar_chart Trends in Tokyo
Hyakuninchō's Hidden Lanes?
That third reply is spot on about Hikawa Shrine, that's the only real shrine with red gates in the area. The ramen place you're after is likely the one on the lane just past the FamilyMart on Yasukuni-dori, the one with only six counter seats. They do a thick tonkotsu-gyokai that's worth the detour, just look for the line of salarymen around 1pm.
If the ramen shop was near a shrine with red gates, you're probably thinking of the area around Hikawa Shrine. That's a quiet pocket off the main drag and there's a handful of small noodle places tucked into those side streets. I'd start by heading south from the station toward the shrine, then just pick a lane that runs behind the konbini on the corner. The ramen shop with the faded blue curtain and handwritten sign is usually the one locals line up for around lunch.
Hyakuninchō is a maze! Seriously, I've lived near there for years and still get turned around. Near a shrine, you say? That narrows it down... slightly. Try using Google Maps' street view, zoom in super close and check the street names. Sometimes you can spot distinctive buildings or signs that might jog your memory. If that fails, maybe try searching for shrines in Hyakuninchō on Google Maps and then work your way outwards from there, checking the surrounding streets. Good luck with your ramen quest! It's worth it.
Yeah, it's a total rabbit hole alright! Street view is a great idea, hadn't thought of that. Thanks! The shrine thing is just a vague memory, something about red gates... I'll try the Google Maps shrine search, fingers crossed. That ramen better be legendary after all this effort!
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.
load 2 more replies