Experience 24 hours in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo has been on the top of everyone’s travel list. But what exactly can you do there? Here are some things that you absolutely have to do on your first visit to the dynamic city!

Eat the freshest sushi in town at Toyosu Fish Market

Tokyo is famous for its superb sushi, and one of the best places to get your hands on some is the Toyosu Fish Market. In 2018, the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market relocated to Toyosu, and the latter is now the place to enjoy the renowned daily tuna auction. You can still visit Tsukiji, though, where the historic outer market’s food stalls and restaurants remain in business.

Roar at an authentic sumo wrestling match

Head on over to Ryōgoku Kokugikan, an indoor sumo stadium and get yourself a ticket to catch an actual sumo match! You would think there is nothing much to well-built man pushing each other around, but it is actually pretty exciting!

And if you really want to experience the whole package – the roaring crowd, the energised atmosphere, and possibly the throwing of cushions after a particularly exciting match – then Friday and Saturday evenings would be the best bet for you.

Experience the High-Tech Entertainment at Robot Restaurant

Robot Restaurant is a crazy and entertaining spots to see the robot show while dining. The 10 billion yen worth restaurant is located in Shinjuku area, the biggest red light district in Tokyo often called “the districts never sleeps”. Out of hundreds of night-out spots in the area, the Robot Restaurant absolutely stands out as it is totally unique, and something you can never find anywhere on earth.

Take in old-fashioned Yanaka Ginza Shitamachi

Historically, the shitamachi (low city) was where the less affluent worked and lived. Today, few places remain in Tokyo where you can experience the old world, but with its ramshackle, frozen-in-time atmosphere, Yanaka Ginza shopping district is one of them. The Yuyake Dandan staircase is a good place to snap a few photos to capture the vibes. There’s also a sizeable population of adorable stray cats in the area.

Visit TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum

The digital art museum TeamLab Borderless is one of the most Instagrammable things to do in Tokyo. But this unusual interactive museum is well worth visiting even if you are not planning to take the perfect photo.

There is no map as the discovery is part of the fun, you wander down dark corridors and choose doors at random to explore the immersive displays that use lights and projections in creative ways.

Dine at Cute and Crazy Kawaii Monster Cafe

One of the most popular places to dine in Tokyo, Kawaii Monster Cafe is a super colourful and Kawaii café or restaurant located in the center of the pop culture, Harajuku area, Tokyo. Kawaii Monster Cafe, which is designed by the famous art designer, Sebastian Masuda, has the vivid and edgy interior and serves various unique and colourful dishes including rainbow spaghetti and unicorn coloured par fait. Kawaii Monster Cafe is an extremely cute, entertaining and 100% photo-worthy place to dine in Tokyo! Please make sure to reserve your seat before visiting.

Read more: Visit 6 best food markets in Tokyo, Japan

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Discover the mystery of Japan's popular sushi

Sushi comes in all different shapes and sizes, and one of the most easily recognizable forms is that of makizushi. Made with vinegared rice and select fillings wrapped in a sheet of nori, makizushi is rolled with a bamboo mat to create a perfectly cylindrical shape that is then cut into bite-size pieces. This rolled style of sushi is so popular in Japan that it can be found everywhere—from high-end sushi shops to convenience store shelves.

Hosomaki (Single-ingredient Roll)

Hosomaki is a category of sushi rolls that comes from the Kanto region of eastern Japan, centered around modern-day Tokyo, and typically features only one ingredient plus rice, rolled together tightly to create a thin roll.

Kappa-maki

Kappamaki (cucumber sushi roll) is one of the most classic types of makizushi. Some people believe it’s named for the fictional water sprite called a “kappa” whose head resembles the top of a cucumber.

Tekka-maki

Tekkamaki (tuna sushi roll) is made using the lean cut of tuna called “maguro.” The name means “forged iron roll” and comes from the image of a hot iron rod glowing bright red. Along with kappamaki, this is another essential hosomaki roll.

Oshinko-maki 

Oshinkomaki (pickled daikon radish roll) is a type of hosomaki made with a filling of crisp Japanese pickles, chopped finely. It’s often filled with a bright yellow variety of pickles known as “takuan” that is made with daikon radish.

Salmon-maki

Salmon-maki is a type of sushi roll that has become popular in recent decades. That’s because raw salmon previously wasn’t eaten in Japan. The “Philadelphia roll” made with salmon and cream cheese found outside of Japan was inspired by this hosomaki.

Uramaki(Inside-out Roll)

Uramaki is makizushi that’s inverted with rice on the outside of the roll, rather than nori. Usually, when making makizushi, a sheet of nori is placed first on the bamboo mat, followed by sushi rice and then the fillings. But for uramaki, rice is the layer closest to the bamboo mat, followed by nori, and then the fillings. The finished roll can be sprinkled with white or black sesame seeds or tobiko (flying fish roe) before slicing.

Ehomaki (Lucky Sushi Roll)

Ehomaki is a special-occasion makizushi that’s popular to eat during Setsubun, a Japanese holiday that takes place in February to celebrate the end of winter and the coming of spring. Unlike other types of sushi rolls, ehomaki is served as one long piece and is stuffed with numerous ingredients. The roll is eaten while facing in the designated “lucky” compass direction for the year, and is meant to be consumed in one go without stopping.

It’s considered lucky to eat ehomaki that contains seven ingredients, including items like tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), cucumber, shiitake mushrooms simmered in soy sauce, dried kanpyo gourd, and carrot. More elaborate ingredients like conger eel and roast beef may also be used.

Temakizushi (Sushi Hand Roll)

Temakizushi, or “hand roll,” is a type of makizushi made with a single small sheet of nori. Sushi rice and the desired fillings are added, and then the nori is rolled into a cone shape. Pretty much any sushi filling can be used for temaki rolls, so it’s very easy to customize to individual tastes. The cone also makes it very easy to hold and keep the filling from falling out while eating, even for people who don’t use chopsticks.

Read more: Regional dishes you need to try in Japan

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The most famous national dishes in Asia

Just like their flags, each country has its own national dish – a dish that represents the country as a whole. Some countries have numerous national dishes that come in numerous servings and styles, while others present a simple dish that truly represents their country. As we embark on a quick sojourn with an empty stomach, here are some of the national dishes around Asia.

Sushi - Japan

Without doubt, Sushi is definitely one of the most famous foods to come from Japan. A dish that was born in ancient times, sushi originated from the process of preserving fish in fermented rice. Today it’s made with vinegared rice and fresh fish, presented in a number of ways and shapes.

Banh Mi - Vietnam

Banh mi is a unique French-Vietnamese sandwich that’s great for when you’re in need of a quick meal. Banh mi consists of a toasted baguette sandwich, pickled vegetables, pate, butter, soy sauce, cilantro, chillies, and hot peppers. Most banh mi sellers also offer a wide range of meat fillings, including heo quay (roasted pork belly), trung op la (fried egg), thit nuong (grilled pork loin), cha ca (fried fish with turmeric and dill), cha lua (boiled sausages), xa xiu (Chinese barbecued pork), and thit ga (poached chicken).

Kimchi - South Korea

Kimchi is a spicy Korean side dish created from salted, fermented vegetables, usually cabbage and radishes. It gets its unique kick from a paste made of chili powder, garlic, ginger, red pepper and sugar and its recognizable tang from fish sauce. While you’re probably familiar with the most common version, baechu kimchi, made with napa cabbage, there are actually over 100 different varieties of this classic dish, ranging from kkakdugi (cubed radish), to oi sobagi (cucumber) and gat (mustard leaf).

Pad Thai - Thailand

A staple dish in the Thai cuisine, the Thai-style fried noodles is one of the classic delicacies which is served worldwide. An easy and quick preparation, this generic dish is made with wide noodles, eggs, onion, meat, (usually prawn, which is quite famous in Pattaya) as its base. To add an extra crunch to this delicious meal, crunchy bean sprouts are added.

Dumpling - China

Wontons and dumplings are two similar types of food, which are comprised of a square or round wrapper (a dough skin made of flour and water) and fillings. Wontons can be boiled in a fragrant and watery broth, steamed in a bamboo steamer, or fried in a high-heat wok. Sometimes, wontons are also served with little noodles to make 'wonton noodles'. They are available with a large variety of fillings, such as ground pork, shrimp, fish, mushrooms, and other vegetables.

The stuffing found in dumplings is similar to that of wontons, and the cooking method is similar too.

Read more: Challenge yourself with top 5 Chongqing spicy dishes

Bubble Tea - Taiwan

The thing that you shouldn't miss when traveling in Taiwan is Bubble Tea. It’s so popular that it is now served across the globe and more commonly known as bubble tea or boba tea. Created here in Taiwan, this tapioca ball-filled drink is fast becoming the island’s official drink and with good reason. As far as afternoon snacks go, it takes some beating.

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Learn about 5 most popular types of Sushi

Sushi is a phenomenal dish from Japan that is well-known all around the world. There are many kinds of sushi, but do you know the differences between them?

1. Nigiri

A topping, usually fish, served on top of sushi rice. Not all nigiri is raw, though this dish is best for people who want to appreciate the flavor of the fish, shellfish, or other toppings.

2. Sashimi

Fish or shellfish served alone (no rice). This is best for people who really love to taste the fish or shellfish since it comes with nothing else.

3. Maki

Rice and filling wrapped in seaweed. This is what most people think of when they think of sushi rolls.

4. Uramaki

Similar to the above, but rice is on the outside and seaweed wraps around the filling. These rolls often have lots of toppings and sauces — they may either be cooked or raw.

5. Temaki

Sushi that has been hand-rolled into a cone shape. The cones are not as easy to share as the rolls.

See more: The ultimate Japanese food guide

Source: delishably

Discover the best dishes in Asian countries

Known as "the quintessence of a country", the cuisine is one of the main reasons why people love traveling to Asia. These signature dishes are not only tasty but also reflect the distinctive marks and special meanings of Asian countries.

Pho (Vietnam)

If you have a chance to travel to Vietnam, don't forget to try a bowl of pho. Pho is a noodle soup that is classically made from rice noodles, fresh herbs, vegetables (cilantro, lime, bean sprouts and chilies) and raw beef that cooks itself in a steaming bone broth.

Peking Duck (China)

Peking duck is one of the most significant Beijing dishes. The duck meat is characterized by its thin, crisp skin, with authentic versions of the dish serving mostly the skin and little meat, sliced in front of the diners by the cook.

Pad Thai (Thailand)

A dish of stir-fried rice noodles is thought by some to have been introduced to Ayutthaya during the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom by Chinese traders and subsequently altered to reflect Thai flavor profiles. Pad thai is made with soaked dried rice noodles, which are stir-fried with eggs and chopped firm tofu, and is flavored with tamarind pulp, fish sauce, dried shrimp, garlic or shallots, red chili pepper, and palm sugar and served with lime wedges and often chopped roasted peanuts.

Bibimbap (South Korea)

Probably the best-known Korean dish, Bibimbap is a must-try dish when traveling to South Korea. A hot stone bowl is filled with cooked rice and topped with vegetables, pickled Chinese radish, carrot, and mushrooms. Great care is taken to make the dish look attractive. Egg yolk and raw beef are also popular additions when stirred through they cook against the hot stone.

See more: Discover a taste of South Korea

Sushi (Japan)

For the unfamiliar, sushi refers to the Japanese preparation of vinegared rice served with a variety of ingredients, mostly fish and other types of seafood. It’s commonly eaten with pickled ginger and dipped in soy sauce mixed with wasabi. Unlike sushi which may contain cooked or prepared ingredients, sashimi is always served raw and without rice.

Banh Mi (Vietnam)

If you’re planning on traveling to Vietnam, the one sandwich you will hear about and will not want to miss is the Bánh Mì sandwich. This famous Vietnamese sandwich has been consistently ranked as one of the world’s best sandwich. A typical Vietnamese sandwich is a fusion of meats and vegetables from native Vietnamese cuisine such as chả lụa (pork sausage), coriander leaf, cucumber, and pickled carrots and daikon combined with condiments from French cuisine such as pâté, along with mayonnaise.

Dim Sum (Hong Kong)

If there’s one type of cuisine in Hong Kong that you’ll likely want to eat, again and again, it’s dim sum. Usually served for breakfast or lunch, the difficult part is choosing where to go amid the dizzying number of options. Hong Kong dim sum sessions were about tea appreciation - that's why dim sum meals are commonly known in Cantonese as yum cha.

Beef Noodle (Taiwan)

Beef noodle soup often referred to as beef noodles, is a Chinese and Taiwanese noodle soup made of stewed or red braised beef, beef broth, vegetables, and Chinese noodles. It exists in various forms throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia. The beef noodle soup was first created by the Hui people during the Tang Dynasty.

Chicken Rice (Singapore)

You can say chicken rice is a comfort food among many Singaporeans. Not only is this a cheap dish, but it is highly fragrant, filling and nutritious. The rice itself is made via a complicated process of balancing the right amounts of garlic, ginger and chicken broth to achieve a fragrant rice. The chicken too undergoes a complex process of steeping at sub-boiling temperatures to create a stock and reusing the broth over and over again.

See more: Enjoy the best traditional Indian dishes

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