Tag: Japan

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Bar Alegre

Dropped by this speakeasy as a recommendation from ChatGPT. Although it wasn’t busy, I would recommend coming back.

First drink I had was their matcha sour, which was basically a whisky sour with matcha (I did ask for no egg white though).

Second drink I had was the bar tenders choice. He basically made me a boulvardier with a whisky from Hiroshima called Sakurao. Campari is still not my thing, but I did appreciate the drink.

The bartender was also super helpful. Gave me good tips of Miyajima (ie what to visit), and how to get there. Also gave me some recommendation for bars I should hit up in Shibuya.

Also I should mention there are two entrances to this place (one is the actual speakeasy, and the other is a bar connected to it). You want to enter with the door that looks like the wall, not the mini tea bowing door. See the pics below.

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Barragan

When I was in Okinawa, wanted to check out American Village. Since it was 10pm, most of the actual shops are closed. But did want to check out the nightlife. First stop was a place called Barragan. The bartender is name G, and he can make any drink to your style. I first ordered a Rob Roy, but I let him make the next drinks (specifying I like scotch, but not peaty, and no simple syrup). 

First drink bartender at Barrandar made: Strawberry lemon juice + arran + ginger juice (fresh)

Other drink the bartender made: Arran + sherry + OG syrup

Also sampled Kokuto Lequio (a mescal pictured) tastes like mackeral.

Also got these recommendations to try: Tears of llorona (recommended tequila to try), Bar hillow. Also, met a guy who was in the navy, and now works for Raytheon defense company. He was describing how in the navy you have on shore (so you can stay with your family) and off shore leave. Each usually lasts 3 years. He wanted to always be off shore. When they denied him that, that is when he switched jobs (his instagram is thebeardedpeterpan). He also has been in Okinawa for 1440 days in the Hilton. He also recommended this area for nightlife next time I’m in Okinawa (it has a lot of the navy folks there):  Gate 2 (area that you can tell taxi drivers) – Koza Street (in Gate 2 where they have places open till 6am).

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Orchid Ryukyu Cusine

Had dinner here when staying at the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort in Okinawa. But it wasn’t just dinner, it was also show that had Ryukyu drum and dancing.

The dinner is buffet style, and had lots Okinawa specific foods. The food I would eat again are the Okinawa pork belly, Okinawa stir-fried noodle, and the Okinawa soba broth (with udon noodles). There was something call sea grapes, which is interesting (didn’t hate or like it). Same with the Okinawa donut (texture was . What I wouldn’t eat again is the roasted pork.

The show itself was good.

Overall I did like the fact this restaurant gave a good introductory experience into Okinawa. I would recommend this to others.

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Ocean Cafe

This is a restaurant in the resort I stayed at in Okinawa, called the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort.

It’s by the pool of the resort, which provides a nice open air and sunlight.

Ordered Jameson on the rocks, a cafe latte, and a spam musubi. The musubi was 4x larger than I expected. But it was great, and just what I want. Also latte was

Update on 4/19 – got their loco moco for lunch another day, and also have to say it was pretty good.

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Starbucks – Gion District

We went to a Starbucks in one of the really older parts of the Gion district called Masuyacho. This Starbucks is not only in a really old “house”, but you get to sit on the floor while eating / drinking (aka eating Japanese style).

I ordered a mocha, and a sausage and egg breakfast sandwich. The interesting thing about this one is that it also had ketchup in it (the Japanese love their ketchup).

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McDonalds – JR Kyoto Station

So went to this McDonalds twice (both for a quick lunch when arriving and leaving Kyoto).

Tried two different burgers. One was the Teriyaki McBurger. Got to say, I was expecting to to be an actual burger, not sausage patty. It tasted alright, but wouldn’t get it again (my friend got the Teriyaki chicken filet-o (crispy chicken) and it was pretty good).

The other burger I got (which is along the lines of Kuma Karnak) was pretty good. It was a sweet sauce, on an actual burger (not on a sausage patty). I also did get fries, and that was pretty standard.

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The Auriental

Went to this speak easy the first night in Osaka Umeda (in the Kitashinchi area). Definitely had a lot of Japanese whisky selection.

The thing about this place is that they don’t have a menu (so it’s kinda hard to know how much you’re gonna pay unless you ask how much each whisky is).

I tried a version of Hibiki Harmony called the Blossom’s choice (around $400 a bottle). As well got a high ball (not sure what whisky). I would definitely come back here again (and try other whisky’s, but look up the prices online before ordering).

Also, the glasses looked pretty sick (as seen below)