asakusa

BLOG , asakusa

I enjoyed a bar-hopping event in Asakusa. It ran over about two weeks. For 1,000 yen, you could get a special set, one drink and one small dish, and collect a stamp from each bar you visited.It’s a great way to discover hidden gems.By the way, bar-hopping is called hashigozake in Japanese. Hashigo means ladder and zake means alcohol, so it’s like climbing a ladder step by step, moving from one spot to the next. Collecting stamps along the way makes it even more fun!

BLOG , asakusa

This nikomi is another incredibly tasty pork dish from my absolute favorite izakaya.Different parts of pork are simmered in a soy sauce-based broth in a big hot pot. Under all the pork, you’ll find tofu that’s been quickly simmered and has soaked up all the flavour. I always order a boiled egg as a topping- it’s cooked in the same pot and tastes amazing.On top, there’s chunky chopped leek, Japanese mustard, and I usually sprinkle some shichimi, a Japanese chilli spice.The umami is deep, and the flavour and texture are rich and complex. Honestly, it’s hard to describe just how good it is- but one thing’s for sure: it goes perfectly with a beer!