As the vibrant capital of Japan, Tokyo attracts visitors from all over the world who delight in finding the best hidden ramen place or sushi joint. However, it is all too possible to dine on sashimi and ramen for the entire trip.
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Here are five alternative foods to try as well.
#1 Gyukatsu
The deep-fried beef-cutlet version of pork katsu, gyukatsu looks the same at first glance, with its breadcrumb-crusted exterior.
However, the main difference is that it’s served with a small hotplate so you can grill it yourself. It is often served with rice, cabbage, and three dips: salt, soy sauce, and mustard.
#2 Seared tuna cheek
Most people flock to the fish market to eat sashimi, but seared tuna cheek is also popular among the locals. It is easy to mistake it for beef because of its reddish brown appearance and texture, since the flesh of the cheek is tougher. However, the fish taste and the smoothness sets it apart, with the searing process adding a distinctive smoky flavour.
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#3 Bacon wrapped glutinous rice
Served on a stick, the bacon wrapped glutinous rice is a satisfying snack. Commonly found around festivals, the bacon is wrapped around the rice and then grilled, which keeps the whole snack from falling apart. It’s a great savoury treat to counter hunger pains – and easy to eat.
#4 Katsu sando
Katsu sando is basically a pork-cutlet sandwich, but also so much more. It features the perfect ratio of white bread, barbecue sauce and tender pork cutlet – where the pork cutlet is always bigger than the combined thickness of the white bread.
It’s fluffy, crunchy, meaty, and juicy, all at the same time. While most katsu sando versions feature pork, there are also beef versions popping up.
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#5 Melon pan
A melon bread that is not unlike Hong Kong’s Pineapple Bun, it got its name because of its similar appearance to the rock melon or cantaloupe fruit – not because it contains any melon.
You can find the bread being sold on the street on its own, or with a filling of your choice such as cream, ice cream, or even fruit. While sweet on sweet might sound too much, the crispy crust and the soft cream is a perfect match.
