Vol.46 A TOKYO SPRING BREAK…FAST!

tokyobeat
Mar 18, 2021
3 min read

How much do you know about the Japanese breakfast? While many of us in the states are content with stuffing down a greasy sandwich and cup of joe in record time, the traditional Japanese breakfast is a balanced, energizing, flavor-packed meal of soup, grilled fish, eggs, rice or porridge, and much more. But in all honesty, modern Tokyoites aren’t always following the old ways – this international city is chock full of myriad breakfast options from reimagined old-world comfort to globally influenced brunch spots. Here are some essentials for any morning in Tokyo:

Traditional Taste

As noted above, the traditional Japanese breakfast has a vastly different approach, set up almost like a tasting menu of savory items that might look more like lunch or supper to a westerner. Places like Hatsufuji in Tokyo Station are revered by early risers for its selection of teishoku – the traditional Japanese term for set meals. Here, main items ranging from tonjiru (miso soup with pork) to simmered beef and grilled fish are complemented with pickles, rice, and optional items ranging from tamagoyaki to cold tofu. The farmhouse-inspired settings of Shinpachi Shokudo in Shinjuku are the perfect environment in which to nosh on a variety of grilled fish, from salmon to mackerel, to feel like you’re in the Edo era. Soup lovers won’t go wrong at the more modern Odashi in Shinagawa, where broth ranging from lobster miso to pork and ginger and even vegetarian lotus and pumpkin start the day right. Yet the most opulent of all may be Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple Cafe-Tsumugi, owned by the prestigious 400 year-old temple. Their signature 18-plate Breakfast, a Buddhism-inspired meal, delivers unforgettable pops of flavor. One thing’s for sure, visitors will never think of breakfast as just a buttery carb fest ever again.

Jetlag Jam

Jetlag will be a real challenge for many, which means being up in the middle of the night with late afternoon pangs of hunger. That’s why the expansive Toyosu Fish Market is a such wonderful destination, because its numerous food options are open nice and early. Sushi for breakfast? Surprisingly, the clean flavors and simplicity are perfect for the palate, as evidenced by restaurants like Sushidokoro Okame and Sushi Dai where lines stretch far with people wanting a taste of the fresh fish they’ve just seen at the market. Even bigger appetites will be sated at places like Odayasu Tonkatsu, whose deep fried, breaded pork, chicken or shrimp are exceptional. For something lighter, the Japanese kissaten (café) Senriken– originally founded in 1914 – serves up their classic menu of items like egg sando, katsu sando, purin (Japanese-style pudding), and more. When it comes to the city at large, jetlaggers in the know never disregard the konbini – Japanese convenient stores like 7-ELEVEN, Lawson, and FamilyMart, which are highly touted for their high-quality prepared foods at any time of the day. From sweet pastries to onigiri rice balls and even porridge, it’s all good to go.

International Habits

Tokyo – like New York City – has everything and then some, which means familiar western breakfasts at popular places like bills in Odaiba, where Australian-style soft scrambled eggs, fruit and granola bowls, and scones surpass those back home. It’s also an opportunity to try neighboring Asian delights like Taiwanese breakfast at Tokyo Toujan Seikatsu in Gotanda, which draws appropriately long lines for its warm soy milk and breakfast breads. Finally, for diners absolutely in need for a taste of Manhattan, the local outposts of Sarabeth’s in Shinagawa and Clinton Street Bakery in Aoyama bring the same quality and execution with its popular dishes – and are perhaps a novel way to skip those long lines back home!For more information on Tokyo’s best breakfasts, contact press@tokyo-nyc.com or call 917-200-4887.