Food and Drink

Situated near a busy train station, this distinctive looking old alleyway was presumably once full of inebriated salarymen partaking in post-work drinks. Just one half of a block that way back when boasted numerous bars and eateries. These days, however, it’s falling apart and mostly shuttered up, with merriment now only existing in gradually fading memories.

The bar below is one I have a real soft spot for. Partly because of how it looks, but mostly due to this photograph I took through the window several years ago. An affection that has now increased further after meeting the lovely fella who runs it. A man as warm and welcoming as the establishment he presides over.

Despite being a keen cyclist, charged with delivering this substantial feast, I’m pretty sure that within seconds of setting off, each and every dish would have been strewn all over the street. This fella, on the other hand, was bombing along not the least bit concerned by the weight, road signals and incredibly impressed bystanders.

This little peanut and snack shop opened a few years after the war, and yet even now, after all those decades, its 90-year-old owner still isn’t ready to retire.

Maybe it was the beer, or possibly the bowl of ramen that went with them, but that last, sad looking solitary gyoza, was clearly one mouthful too many.

On a hot summer’s day, it’s hard to beat the very simple pleasure of a chilled cucumber dipped in some salty miso. Or for those with a preference for something sweeter, a generous dollop of mayonnaise instead of the miso. Both of which, at least on this particular occasion, came with the added extra of a cold hard stare.

On the topic of summer, a rest and some travelling is very much in order, so from today, the usual 3 posts a week will be reduced to a far more manageable 1 every Monday. Then, from September 2nd, the regular Monday, Wednesday and Friday updates will resume as normal.