Youshokuya Kichi Kichi, Kyoto - ザ・洋食屋 キチキチ

Play the video below and yes, I ate that. But right now, I'm going to tell you how to get to eat it too.

Famous Omurice, wait and reservations required! Waiting for my own now. #hyped #chefshowmanship #wjXkyoto #gradtrippinJapan

A video posted by wj (@2xuj) on Aug 22, 2015 at 4:31am PDT

Unagiya Hirokawa, Kyoto - うなぎ屋 廣川

I need to share a little story.

When I was still in Primary School and Secondary School (I spent 10 years in SN), there was a stall in the canteen that would sell Unagi with Rice. Japanese Eel Rice. I don't remember how much it cost, but I do know that it was pricy. Sometimes I'd add a bit of steamed egg to make it less pathetic because you see, this piece of eel was indeed very little. 

Served with Nori, teriyaki sauce, on a bed of warm fluffy rice. I remember the taste to this day, my first Unagi don.

Fast forward to a few months ago, I tried the real and super-duper legitimate version and I am darn happy to report, this is the place to go.

Pick up the details after the jump! (You definitely won't regret it.)

Staying at Nishiyama Ryokan

We stayed at a ryokan in Kyoto for two nights; a ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. There are many different ryokans in Kyoto and Hakone but rarely found near larger cities like Tokyo. We chose a mid-range ryokan that offered a kaiseki dinner because it was one of the experiences we wanted to have. 

Kaiseki ryori is traditional Japanese multi-course haute cuisine. Its origins are found many centuries ago in the simple meals served at the tea ceremony, but later it evolved into an elaborate dining style popular among aristocratic circles. Today, kaiseki is served in specialized restaurants or can be enjoyed by staying at a ryokan (Japanese style inn). Credits: Japan Guide

Where we stayed in Kyoto! Credits: Eddie

More after the jump!

Matsuzakagyu Yakiniku M, Hozenji Hanare Shop, Osaka - 松阪牛焼肉 Ｍ 法善寺店 はなれ

This place is expensive, Wagyu is expensive and Matsuzaka Beef even more so. Fair warning!

If you've read the previous line without flinching even a little bit, you're welcome to read on! It was one of the highlights in terms of food and I've posted the picture of our platter before and will do so again later in the post. It was one of our most expensive meals in Japan because of the nature of the meal - in a restaurant, high grade beef, popular and well-regarded. 

If you don't take beef, skip this post. More after the jump!

Kiyomura Sushizanmai, Dotonbori-Ten, Osaka, すしざんまい 道頓堀店

We move on to my travels in Osaka! Initially, I had planned mistakenly for a lunch meal at Matsuzaka Yakiniku M, to our dismay they didn't serve lunch! Goes to show how you can't trust anything you find on the internet! I even found their page (not updated) that said they served lunch AND dinner. I was very disappointed, thankfully, Zhiling had a recommendation from a friend to Sushizanmai! It was just a 200m walk away.

Here's what the shopfront looks like! Sorry if it's a bit tiny! Credits

More after the jump!

Uobei Sushi, Shibuya Branch, Tokyo - 魚べい 渋谷道玄坂店

Have you been to Genki Sushi at Bugis+ and Orchard Central?

Good, this place is exactly the same, just more pocket-friendly. Pictures after the jump!

Mensoubou Mutekiya Ramen 麺創房無敵家, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan

I don't really want to share about this place. Compared to Ichiran with outlets in almost every state and more, this is really a hole in the wall but this hole beats* them hands down.

This small restaurant was so good we went there twice, once on the first day and for our last dinner in Japan. It definitely spoilt our tastebuds for Ichiran since we had it on the first day. Had I known of its awesomeness, I wouldn't have put it on our first day too. Similarly, I don't want to hype this and raise your expectations so ridiculously high. I'll let the pictures do the talking in just a minute.