Japan Center restaurants

Oh, and just a few other places I’ve eaten at this year at Japantown:

I enjoyed Matcha Cafe Maiko for their matcha desserts.

This was one of their matcha tea lattes with a vanilla softserve base. Not too sweet, with a good matcha taste.

Next time I was around I tried a mix of the Kinako (seasonal flavor of roasted soy bean flour) and matcha. The kinako is on the milder side but had a nice nutty flavor. I’d say see if they can swap it around so matcha is on the bottom.

Next snack place is right across from Maiko.

I tried their spring/early summer special of rainier cherries fruit sando with black sesame cream. Well… slightly misnamed as I had random bing cherries as well but I didn’t think the cherries went that well with the sesame cream. Fairly light, with soft white bread, with a good heaping of cream.

Next up is On the Bridge restaurant which I remember walking by for the longest time but never going inside. Decided to give that a shot.

Got some fried chicken wings with sansho spices. Nice and crispy and the sansho adds a nice heat.

Tried a little bit of the seafood pasta as well. I would like a little thicker sauce but I found it light and enjoyable.

I found on the bridge to be a nice charming retreat away from the bustling crowds.

Friend recommended me Marufuku ramen and I decided to check them out. Thought I was smart to just arrive right when they opened but uhm… bad idea haha. There was already a line as I approached and just signed up for the wait list. About an hourish later, I was able to sit down.

I initially wanted to try their Chicken paitan dx but they were long sold out by the time I got there. Went with the Hakata tonkotsu DX which included a thick braised pork belly on top of the chashu, corn, and nori seaweed. I opted for medium spiciness and I thought the dish was great. Nice savory broth with a kick, and the thinner noodles were able to hold onto the pork broth when eating and slurping. The chashu was nicely marinated but I still think the pork belly was just better. Only thing I’m not certain on was the seasoned egg. The yolk was soft and gooey but I really couldn’t detect the seasoned portion of the egg; I expected a hint of mirin but just seemed like a soft boiled egg.

Anywho, as @Mr_Happy mentioned, just put yourself on the waitlist if you’re going there a little later or show up much earlier than me…

Oh and random imported soda from Nijiya Market

… it tasted like Pepsi…

also costs like 2+ dollars

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