I’m infatuated with Japanese gourmet culture, and @edw_yatsushiro (Espresso D’ Works) rocks my boat and makes my tastebuds sing. I can easily write 10 reasons to convey how impressed I am:
- free water and I can drink as much as I can
- dishes not only satisfied my tummy, but were also a feast for the eyes
- open kitchen concept in which I got to see the staff work together like a troop of busy efficient ants. I saw one staff tasting a strand of spaghetti to make sure that the dish was turning out right. Seriously, who would do that in Singapore?
- got to watch another group of staff baking bread
- the dish came in the form of a set meal (soup, salad and drink). I reckon that this is one more side dish served than in eateries back home
- in the midst of our meal, a staff offered us free bread
- despite the hive of activity, I felt that I was granted more than enough personal space to enjoy with my family.
- that’s because we lucked out and got to eat on cosy sofas. Now, my daughter literally doesn’t like to sit down. The sofa made it easy for her to go to and fro.
- the bookshelf was actually the entrance to the washroom. Seriously, how many restaurants would have secret doors?!
- those books on the shelf. THESE ARE ACTUAL BOOKS ON COFFEE. Yes, I checked. I am a book nerd. But seriously, only the Japanese will go to the trouble of sourcing authentic books to create the picturesque look they want.
In Japan, I just pay the bill without considering whether it is cheap or expensive. The element of surprise, the work ethics in display, and the delightful attention to detail made me think that I was getting more bang for my buck.
The food looks gorgeous.
I think you've posted a few things lately about restaurants that make a point in serving bread they bake themselves. Is this common in Japanese restaurants?
I generally associate bread-baking with Europe, especially France (Americans can't bake worth shit). Is there an established breas-baking culture in Japan?
I’m not a bread person, but I would imagine that most bakeries bake their own bread. The Japanese take their bread very seriously. Osaka people, in particular, are fond of saying “Ashita no pan” (tomorrow’s bread) to one another. It seems that they have bread for breakfast every morning - and that they are always thinking about which bread to buy for their next breakfast.
I don’t think how vibrant the baking scene is in Japan, but I happened to read a life story of a baker who went all the way to France to deepen her skills in spite of not speaking a word of French. So, I won’t be surprised if there are people who dedicate their entire lives to making the best bread they can.
Awesome trip report, thanks for sharing! We're thinking of adding a stop in Singapore for a few days next year, so will keep a note on this place to check it out.
So far, our favorite Japanese food stop in SG was Menya Kokoro. Love their soba. Obviously a very different setup and experience. Keep in mind we're Westerners. And as much as we love foreign foods, please do take any recommendation from us with a healthy amount of salt.
Happy to meet a Stacker who has visited Singapore! Let’s see if we can meet for a meal next year.
I have to clarify that this eatery is in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto. I’m out of the country.
Well, your recommendation is as good as any Japanese person’s recommendation. After all, one man’s meat is another man’s poison - and this truism transcends national boundaries
Whoops. Just a few miles off from where I thought you were sharing that from... lol
We won't be near Kumamoto, but will be staying somewhere in the northern half of Kansai region for a few weeks next summer.
If you happen to have any recommendations around there, I'd be grateful for tips in the region.
We'll be spending the summer months around Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Japan. And potentially add shorter stops in Singapore and Seoul if/when it fits with travel between those places. If you're anywhere in those areas around next summer, it'd be great to grab good food with a stacker.
Looks amazing. I want to eat there too!
Is coffee and curry a thing in Japan? It was a major theme of a recent popular video game
I don’t think there are many eateries out there that sell curry + coffee exclusively, like what Sojiro Sakura does for his cafe. They offer a wide array of drinks ranging from hojicha or oolong cha to orange juice to coffee. I happen to pair my main dish with coffee.
I do think that the popularity of Persona 5 has led to more people eating curry and coffee together
Wow I'm glad you got the reference! Haha, are you a Persona fan?