Street Food, Tsukiji Outer Market, Tokyo Japan
First.. What is Tsukiji Outer Market?
Tsukiji Outer Market is Japan’s “Food Town,” where one can encounter all kinds of traditional Japanese foods. A mixture of wholesale and retail shops, along with numerous small restaurants and new culinary trends are born here.
From 1935 to the end of 2018, Tsukiji Wholesale Market (Tsukiji Fish Market) was the most famous and largest fish market IN THE WORLD!
Originally Tsukiji Market catered primarily to professionals but has slowly and surely opened their shops for the hungry traveller !
What to do when you get there..
First I would recommend wandering the alleys of the market. You will find small restaurants, shops and kitchen equipment (yes also Japanese knives!) which might wake your interest for a VERY elegant souvenir or gift to bring home for a cooking enthusiast.
After strolling around eating your way through the alleys i recommend my top 3 bites of all times if you did not already plan on having these bites , after reading this you HAVE to (maybe the BEST steak i have EVER tried! )
The 3 MUST 'BITES'
Lets start from no. 3 to 1 just for the excitement.
NR 3.
TAMAGOYAKI - is a sweet egg omelette which is commonly found in bento boxes (Japanese lunchbox) and as sushi toppings. This one comes on a stick, with an amazingly light and fluffy texture. If you like your eggs on a sweeter note you will absolutely love this.
NO. 2
DAIFUKU - I am sure you have heard of a MOCHI .. right? So a mochi is a Japanese pounded rice cake made from glutinous rice, while daifuku is a STUFFED mochi (traditionally with a savory red bean paste). These daifukus are TO DIE FOR ! The consistency is soft and chewie and the paste are delicious and fresh. If you are in Japan during the cherry blossom season try the Sakura filling which has a very characteristic fragrant. But my favourites are : custard, red bean and matcha filling.
NO. 1
WAYGU GRADE A5 w. UNI - It might sound ridiculous what im about to tell you. But yes this skewer right here is the BEST MEAT I have EVER tried in my life strangely enough bought at this (fish) market.
The highest yield grade and meat quality grade for Waygu beef is A5, where A represents the yield grade and the 5 represents the meat quality grade.Uni (oo-nee) is the japanese name for the edible part of the sea urchin. (trust me you want this topping which gives the skewer a buttery finish)
Look at the marbling in these skewers.
I came 9 o'clock in the AM not to stand in a line for these 3 stalls and it was so worth it !
Go early and grab a stick (or more) and enjoy a champions breakfast (they might ask if you would like some sake or whiskey for your skewer.. (why not, we were on holiday)
Remember:
1. Go early
2. Bring cash (often better prices)
3. Go hungry
Thank you for following and if you do not already do that please follow, like and save for future trips.
The home for unique & authentic travel
