networking via friends is the best way to discover japan. places you won’t find in guidebooks are usually the best hidden gems. Nao-san’s been telling me about a restaurant her younger sister runs and operates in tokyo. yesterday i was craving good food for lunch so i started my journey.
what an amazing entrance! this didn’t feel like tokyo at all. i felt like i was in the mountains. the restaurant is called “Niwa.”
a friendly greeting at the door, i took my seat. and when i sit in front of a presentation like this, i know it’s going to be good.
these are the kind of restaurants i love the most. traditional japanese food cooked the traditional japanese way.
it’s like a course menu so all you do is sit down and enjoy the ride. kind of like surfing the perfect wave. started off with this amazing dish.
omg, the mentaiko yamaimo was amazing! i could eat this every single day of my life.
tai kama is very tasty! my favorite is the eye!
and the rice here is absolutely the best! i could have eaten this whole pot!
i love fried oysters and this has had to be the best kaki fry i’ve eaten in my life.
and the fish seasoned and cooked to perfection.
and a nice way to end with a refreshing dessert.
if i had to rate Niwa on a scale of 1 to 10. i’d have to rate it a 11! it’s better than perfection. my advice is: go there immediately! don’t look at reviews, don’t look for websites, and don’t ask around. just make a reservation and pray you will get a seat. i traveled this world searching for the best food and Niwa instantly made my top 5 list. it’s surprisingly inexpensive and the food you eat will make you feel like a a king. i’m going to Niwa every time i come to tokyo! guarantee! and when you go, tell chef/owner Yuri-san i said “aloha!”
