KOENJI: Tokyo-Ya Import Store for my absolutely favorite Loacker Peanut Butter Wafers! Its really a rare find. (iPhone 12 Mini, Sony RX100)

So my friends I have a huge sweet tooth and either eat something sweet everyday or drink something sweet.  I just get huge craving when I dont eat sweets.  BUT! I randomly walked passed Tokyo-Ya and they had a huge selection of my favorite Loacker Wafers!

A few weeks ago it was 345 yen.

Im pretty impressed with the colors on my new addition iPhone 12 Mini.

And yesterday it was discounted to 315 yen!  Had to buy the ultra rare Quadratini Peanut Butter flavor! Being an American in Japan its sooo hard to find decent peanut butter.  Skippy brand is a rare sight too.

Got 3! My first ever sweets entry and its not even a Japanese candy.  If you me to start posting Japanese candy entries let me know in the comments!  I should actually post my recent Pure x Pokémon collab gummy find.  Anyways Tokyo-Ya has alot of import items including spices and alcohol.  The cashier dude was super friendly. FYI they have a standing bar inside too.

Import Shop: Tokyo-Ya

Import Shop J: 東京屋

Homepage: https://www.kouenji.or.jp/shop/pastry/tokyoya.html

Address J: 東京都杉並区高円寺北3-22-19

Address E: Tokyo, Suginami-ku, Koenji Kita 3-22-19

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kgXb5jQYPvuMwJDr5

輸入洋酒・食品、立ち飲みバー, Japan,. Japanese, Standing bar, pub, import, select shop, alcohol, booze, sony rx100, yelp, tokyobelly, iphone 12 mini, 

NAKANO: Juke 80s bar for 500 yen beers and you can request 80s new wave etc. Music Videos! A very quiet Sunday evening. (iPhone 12 Mini)

 

Plan was to hit up Juke 80s bar that plays all western music then check out their sister JPop bar but I was too late to hit up the 2nd spot... closed. https://maps.app.goo.gl/VH7qL4iKvbEk9DCg7

Nice bar food menu.

Fairly wide selection of drinks. 

Party Plan! 2 hours all you can drink plus course menu starting from 3,300 yen. 

Queen - Under Pressure! I usually like to request New Wave music here.

Counter seating for 5 with views of the bartender.

Overall its a very chill bar with no entrance fee or table charge.  Got 500 yen? Go request free music videos and enjoy a beer. 

Youtube video introducing the bar.

Restaurant Bar: Juke 80s Western Music Bar

Restaurant Bar J: 洋楽 MUSIC REQUEST BAR / 洋楽バー ジューク

Homepage: http://www.juke80s.com/

Address J: 中野区中野5-56-15 金井ビルB1

Address E: Tokyo, Nakano-ku, Nakano 5-56-15, B1

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HVfDFqE869zicAWg6

Japan, japanese, bar, 80s, pub, tokyobelly, yelp, iphone 12 mini, oldies, new wave, classics, cheap, appetizers, Nakano Station, 中野駅、バー、80年代

KOENJI PAL Shopping Arade: Saizeriya for the least expensive Italian in all of JAPAN! Got a few coins? Go go... Wine only 100 yen. (iPhone 12 Mini)

I started taking long walks in the evening again and occasionally need a spot to chill for a short time. So I try to find the least expensive franchise restaurant that doesnt charge the automatic appetizer Otoshi fee.

Waiting list! Can you see that Japanese write their names in Katagana?

This Saizeriya was incredibly deep!  Its huge!

If I could only eat one type of pasta it could most definitely be Penne Arrabiatta. Only 400 yen with tax!

But I wanted to try something with a little more value for my money. Most restaurants make money off salads, pasta and pizza... so went for something more hearty.

Notice Im streaming!  Just started doing some IRL on Twitch. I have 40 followers... doh.

https://www.twitch.tv/alohasteve808

I should have gotten this really cheap set for 400 yen.

But went with the side of sausages for 550 yen.  Where the 2 little sausages worth the additional 150 yen?

I this restaurant is the only place in Japan where you can buy an actual Italian red or white wine for only 100 yen!  Kinda nuts.

This is a great deal for 550 yen. 

And I was soooo surprised that the hamburger was probably made from fresh ground beef versus some spots that use that kinda processed meat with zero juiciness.  Really good!

They have free original hot sauce.  Not watery like Tabasco and a bit more thick like siracha.. but a little on the sour side. 

Located on Koenji Pal Shopping Street

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uiqTgMvzn8ZRp8SH6

See how long the restaurant is!  Even with this size I had to put my name on the waiting list.

Overall if you want a very budget friendly family restaurant then for sure check out Saizeriya.  BUT if you are Italian then maybe no... might be too critical of the food.  I think the majority of diners here were either university students or in their early 20s.  If you pick and choose the food items well there are some really good selections.  I will be back!

Restaurant: Saizeriya Pal Shopping Arcade Branch

Restaurant J: サイゼリヤ 高円寺駅南口パル商店街店

Homepage: https://www.saizeriya.co.jp/

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131904/13177713/

Address J: 東京都杉並区高円寺南4-7-10, 高円寺ﾋﾞﾙ2F

Address E: Tokyo, Suginami-ku, Koenji 4-7-10, 2F

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/irkoBxKxL3p6Xk768

ファミレス、イタリアン、パスタ, 高円寺駅, Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, yelp, iphone 12 mini, cheap, bar, pub, izakaya, italy, pizza, pasta, spaghetti, 

HOYA: Mensho Torigin for their buttery flavorful shoyu tonkotsu ramen! Soup is kinda addictively good... YUM! (iPhone 12 Mini)

I rarely do ramen lunch but helped out a friend with some moving and he got me a bowl of ramen! 

First time ever to Mensho Torigin and its not a franchise... the only location in the world is Hoya.

Guy in a wheel chair eating near the entrance.  Good to see the occasional barrier free restaurant.

Lots of items! Think they offer shoyu and shio ramen plus they have Tsukemen dipping noodles too. AND Maze soba.

When you have no idea what to order always push the top left corner button!  In this case it is ramen with the boiled seasoned egg 880 yen.  The waitress will come up to you and ask if you want shio or shoyu.  She suggested Shoyu.

Maze soba looking good... maybe its Taiwanese style?

All me!

I think that yellow layer was butter. Very flavorful.

Tonkotsu base.

Semi-chunky noodles! Yum. 

Friend ordered tsukemen with a massive portion of noodles... 400 grams!  Overall this place was unusually good! Soup had a very addictive flavor and went well with the noodles.  I will be back!

Restaurant: Mensho Torigin

Restaurant J: 麺匠 鶏吟 保谷店

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1328/A132801/13251885/

Address J: 東京都西東京市東町3-14-27 マイティービル 1F

Address E: Tokyo, Nishi Tokyo, Higashi-Cho 3-14-27

GOogle Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dHNuyVSComtsg1J8A

ラーメン, 保谷駅, つけ麺、豚骨、らーめん、Japan, Japanese, foodie, yelp, tokyobelly, iphone 12 mini, lunch, dinner, ramen, noodles, tsukemen, beer,