Hiroshima Cafe and More

I wasn't done shopping that day. Taking the Marunouchi Line to Ginza, I stopped at a favorite place for food items. But first, dinner. I decided to try the Hiroshima Cafe at TAU.

I had seen they were serving cold curry noodles from Jinraiken restaurant in Hiroshima. Of course I had to take a photo with mini acrylic Mana.

This was a good choice for the hot humid weather. I was surprised at the spiciness, which was just right. The cold shrimp were marinated in lemon juice. I'm glad I finally was able to try one of Hiroshima's well known cold noodle dishes. Jinraiken's website is here https://www.kure-reimen.com/

Following my meal I picked up a few things. Water jellies are very popular in Japan in the summer. This one is from Baken Mozart Shop, known for their baked goods and sake jelly.

No sake in this one. It has "Hiroshima's famous water" and Hiroshima hassaku oranges. I was expecting sweet but this was a bit bitter. Once I got beyond my surprise, the cool jelly with the juicy orange slices was enjoyable.

Seriously, it's hard to resist taking photos with acrylic Mana. Like my dinner the next day. Karaage chicken from one of the little shops in Ikebukuro Station. 

Along with a Setoda Lemon Ale from the sake shop in TAU. It is produced by Yamaguchi Narutaki Kogen Brewery and I enjoyed it. The lemon flavor was just right. I also bought a small bottle of sake, because Hiroshima brewers make really good sake.

Also part of my dinner that night was unagi roll from Midori Sushi in Ikebukuro Station. I've written about them before. It's nice how they change some items for each season.

Another beer I picked up was this Shimanowa Beer Kure Ginjo, from Kure, Hiroshima. It is made using Hiroshima sake yeast. The taste was more like a dark beer. I didn't think it was bad, but I preferred the lighter Setoda Lemon Ale.

Speaking of lemons, of course I bought a couple bottles of lemon juice. It's hard to find lemon juice that has the natural sweetness like the ones produced in Hiroshima. This bottle comes from Shimagocoro, a company known for the lemon cakes they make. It's 100% pure Setoda lemon juice, recommended for drinking. Also for drinking is the Onomichi Port Opening 850th Anniversary Coffee, from Geishu Onomichi Coffee (芸州おのみち珈琲) in Onomichi. They are a new coffee roaster there. It is a blend of six beans and is very nice.

I am going to find some more food specialty markets for my next trip. I love trying out special items from different areas. Sometimes Uwajimaya market near where I live has events from different areas in Japan. Their Sapporo food fair was really tasty. And I will always go back to TAU Hiroshima in Ginza because I'm always finding new foods and drinks to enjoy.

A Day When Nothing Extraordinary Happened

There was a day when the weather was very hot and humid. Not feeling 100% I decided to just stay in Ikebukuro and do a little shopping.

Pretty much this post is just to document I did go to MOS Burger near Sunshine Dori and ate a shrimp burger and their delicious onion rings with an ice tea.

Ikebukuro proof is the owls.

While not all bought on this day, I did stop in at Tomads which had the Herb time bath salts. The lavender and eucalyptus one is really nice. The others I bought at Tokyu Hands in Ikebukuro.

The other good place to shop this trip was Uniqlo because they had nice long t-shirts and t-shirt dresses in solid colors.

Since this post is so short, I'll share a few food items. Of course I visited Midori Sushi in Ikebukuro Station.

Really good chirashi. Midori Sushi has delicious ikura.

Caesar salad from 7-Eleven! Yes I was surprised that they have expanded their salad selection. Probably the nicest caesar salad I've had in Japan with romaine lettuce and I could taste garlic in the dressing.

Something I received when I was shopping at SEIBU's food hall. I had to wait till I got home to try this dip style Nescafé coffee. Now I want more. Why can't we buy it here?

I'm not sure what day I received my Moi-même-Moitié order. There is a bit of a story to this. Part of this order was for items I bought back in April. But the US Post Office failed to deliver them to me, instead sending them back to Japan. There was no reason for them doing that, my address was correct. They still have not responded to my request to be reimbursed for the shipping.

By the time the items made it back to Japan, I had made a second order of the yukata and accessories. So Wunderwelt and Moi-même-Moitié were really great in combining both orders and sending me everything to my hotel in Tokyo. I am very grateful they did this.

As for the yukata, obi, lace tabi socks and obi bands? They are all very pretty. The tabi socks are very soft and I'm so happy to have the candelstick lace bands.

My first order was to replace my lost Jewelry Roses print fan. Sadly they no longer have these, so I went with the Cross fan.

One other item I received with my yukata order was the Pass Case with Strap. This was so helpful! Unless a person has actually been in Ikebukuro Station, you don't know how chaotic it is. Having my train pass right there and not having to worry about dropping it was a big help.

Like my last trip, there was an evening run to Closet Child in Harajuku. This little Moi-même-Moitié gargoyle had been there for some time so I decided to give it a new home. It was also my dinner companion one evening during my trip.

The real reason for the run was this. A vintage Moi-même-Moitié Coffin Blue Ring. Something I had wanted for a long time but was unsure because I wanted one that would fit my finger. So it was really nice to be able to try it on before buying. And yes, it does fit perfectly.

Sushi and Ikebukuro Station

If you wander around Ikebukuro Station long enough, you will find tiny restaurants and food take out places in some of the smallest areas. Sometimes it pays to walk to the end of a corridor past your usual exit. One day I discovered this little Krispy Kreme booth with it's Sesame Street colorful donuts. I will confess to eating both of the matcha donuts. Because it's something that won't ever be at the local Krispy Kremes here. 

But my favorite "hole in the wall" place that I found is Tachigui Midori Sushi, also known as Midori Sushi Echika Ikebukuro. There is a little standing sushi bar there, but what caught my attention was the long case full of take-out sushi. So I grabbed this pack with various types of nigiri. 

I also picked up this cucumber with ume rolls, as something to eat for breakfast the next day. Both were really good and fresh. The ease of getting these right by the exit I used at Ikebukuro Station was very nice after a long day of walking around places in Tokyo. 

I will say that once a person has good ikura, (seasoned salmon roe), it ups your standard for something equal if not better. This salmon sushi bowl was tasty and fresh. Because there is a little kitchen behind the wall where the refrigerated case is. It is where they prepare all of their take-out food. And since they do a brisk business, most of the items do not stay long in the case.

I did eat more than sushi. Believe it or not, this salad was from a 7-Eleven konbini. And it was good. Along with the maguro nigiri from Tachigui Midori Sushi.

I read they have a little stand-up sushi bar, but since I was finding enough variety in their case, I didn't stop in. Usually there was a short line for purchasing, but even that wait was not long. And with a decent selection, to go was easier. One day I wanted to try one of their larger rolls. I think this is their version of a California roll and it was good. 

My last day in Tokyo so I splurged. And it wasn't much money either. Their prices are decent for what you get. 

I just had to throw in these jumbo sushi rolls. Breakfast before my flight back to Oregon. So big I couldn't eat all of it. But it was fun to try it.

So if you are ever in Ikebukuro Station and wanting decent take out sushi, head for exit C-6. Tachigui Midori Sushi is on your left as you walk to the escalator.