NAKANO: Oyaki-Dokoro Refutei for their amazing Imakawayaki... Its like a soft donut sandwich with azuki bean paste. (iPhone 12 Mini)

 

Of all the sweets in Japan my absolute favorite is the Imakawa-Yaki.  Its like an incredibly fluffy pancake/donut sandwich filled with azuki red bean paste.  160 yen here! Had to buy!

Cashier said be careful because its hot.

Its just sooo fluffy and chewy... would go great with a cup of English tea. 

Flavor of the azuki is mild and overwhelming.  Yum! But what got hooked me on this type of pancake was my discovery back in 2010 at Azabu Juban.Tsukishima-Ya 今川焼 月島家

https://tokyobelly.blogspot.com/2010/01/azabu-juban-imakawa-yaki.html

Its feeling alot like Christmas in Japan! Japan goes directly from Halloween to Christmas in November... no Thanksgiving turkey here buddy.

Restaurant: Oyakidokoro Refutei

Restaurant J: おやき処 れふ亭 れふてい

Tabelog Foodie: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1319/A131902/13050583/

Address J: 東京都中野区中野5-63-3

Address E: Tokyo, Nakano-ku, Nakano 5-63-3

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VeGnpe3CQCyEbVyZA

たい焼き・大判焼き, 中野駅, Japan, Japanese, sweets, tokyobelly, foodie, yelp, donut, pancake, azuki, iphone 12 mini, dessert, candy, cheap, lunch, dinner, 

HIKARIGAOKA: Sazae for some tasty Japanese... pancake doughnut with azuki sweet beans?

Located inside of Daiei... tasty Japanese pancake type treats. Elderly chef at work.

Live performances at IMA Shopping Plaza.

Whenever I get a chance I will always pick up these donut/pancake's with different types of ingredients inside.. this day I tried the sweet azuki beans.  For 97yen you can't go wrong!

Store: Sazae Hikarigaoka Branch

Sazae Website: http://www.sazae.co.jp/products/index.html

Foodie Tabelog Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1321/A132102/13173101/

Address J: 東京都練馬区光ケ丘5-1-1 ダイエー練馬店 B1F

Address E: Tokyo. Nerima-ku, Hikarigaoka 5-1-1
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/BlKSp

サザエ, ダイエー, 練馬店, 十勝産小豆, Japan, Japanese, foodie, lumix lx5, yelp, Tokyo,

JINGUMAE (OMOTESANO/HARAJUKU): Mizuho for some tasty Mame-Daifuku mochi balls!

If in Japan don't just nibble on Pocky Sticks and yummy snacks at the convenient store but for 100% sure give this Mame-Daifuku mochi ball a try... all Japanese love it.

My friends Japanese wife always name dropped Mizuho and since it was her birthday I decided to make the journey into the side streets posh Omotesando.

I ordered a box of 8 and the lady picked out 8 freshly made pieces from the back and packed it very nicely in a box.

The grey box is filled with 8 mochi balls... plus 1 for myself to try.

The Daifuku here just seemed more refined than those in the supermarket.  If you are ever in the Omtoesando or Harajuku area just give one a try... the sweet bean paste in the middle is just sweet enough.  More info on Mame (bean) Daifuku's here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daifuku

Shop: MIZUHO

Foodie Tabelog Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1306/A130601/13001154/

Address J: 東京都渋谷区神宮前6-8-7

Address E: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Jingumae 6-8-7
MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/znjDH

瑞穂 , みずほ, 和菓子, 豆大福, 最中, 原宿, 明治神宮前, 神宮前, Japan, Japanese, sweets, traditional, foodie, pentax k-x, lumix lx5, candy,

ASAKUSA: Funawa's very very tasty Sweet Potato "Imo Yukan"

When I first arrived to Tokyo years ago I stumbled upon one of the mini-branches of Funawa in a department store... from then on whenever I spot this shop I'll pick up one sweet potato stick.

Box sets shown but you can buy just 1.

There it is... chilled fresh sweet "imo youkan"

http://funawa.jp/shop/item_list?category_id=66263

This franchise has been around for over 100 years.

http://funawa.jp/shop/contents?contents_id=51410

Perfect size... hits the spot and only 96 cents.

Its located to the right of the main Kaminari-Mon entrance next to the blue Karaoke shop.

And you can sit on the guardrail with a great view of Sky Tree and the occasional sports car... Nissan R34 GTR this day.  If you stop by Asakusa definitely pick up a stick of Imo Youkan!

Shop: Funawa Kaminarimon Branch

Shop Website: http://funawa.jp/shop/

Tabelog Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1311/A131102/13095328/

Address J: 東京都台東区浅草1-3-5

Address E: Tokyo, Daito-ku, Asakusa 1-3-5
MAP:

View Larger Map
舟和, 雷門店, 和菓子, 浅草, Japanese, sweets, foodie, tokyobelly, Tokyo, Japan, asakusa, kaminari mon,

OIZUMIGAKUEN: Hana Kagura OchoBo Taiyaki... mini mini pancake fish filled with sweet cream

Next door to Sempre Pizzeria is... Ochobo Taiyaki.

Tiny little pancake shaped fish with lots of different fillings... I ordered a random bag and found a bit of sweet potato, chocolate, caramel and other stuff.

Nice and fluffy... good stuff

Shop: Hana Kagura OchoBo Taiyaki

Address J: 東京都練馬区東大泉1-29-7

Address E:  Tokyo, Nerima-ku, Higashi Oizumi 1-29-7

MAP:

View Larger Map
おちょぼ, 鯛やき, 大泉学園, 花神楽, Japan, Sweets, candy, pancake, treats, foodie, tokyobelly, taiyaki,