Missing Home foods? Recommend your local cuisine in Japan

I've been in Japan now for more than 35 years, so I've grown accustomed to Japanese food. Actually, I liked it even before I came here in 1987. But Japanese food is my base.

What I miss more than any other dish, though, is Mexican tamales. Really good Mexican food is difficult to find in Fukuoka, but in the rural parts it's impossible. Thankfully, I can make some good Mexican food, even though the ingredients can be rather expensive. But tamales requires some ingredients that are impossible to find here. It's also really home cooking. My childhood friends' moms made tamales. I really miss that.

I used to live in Turkey for a number of years. I really miss a good old cup of çay (Turkish tea). I found a Turkish restaurant in Yokohama that has good quality authentic food. It is called Zeytin. https://turkish-restaurant-zeytin.business.site/

I recommend!

French bakery - The franchise cafe Paul in Tokyo and a few other bakes bread and pastries. You'd have to ask a French person if they're authentic. Thai - Kaffir Lime in Omotesando comes recommended by Thai people. The food and service are excellent.

American - Harry's Sandwich Company in Harajuku. He does regional favorites and vegetarian sammies, too.

French cheese and bread aren't really easy to find where I live. I like the black bread (made with rue because gluten lol) from the Donq bakery shops and I can find imported french raclette cheese at Kaldi😊 I haven't found decent bakery croissants so far but I find the industrial ones from Seijoishi good (they're made with butter). Honestly I'm far from knowing all the spots so please add your places located in Nagoya 🙌

For those who love to cook or just would like to try it might be a good idea browsing around various grocery stores so that you can seek out the variety and cheaper prices. For example I know that there are a lot of countries that eat curry, and there is a lot of Indian and Thai curry. I had to really look around to find curry that replicates that of which is from my country.

If you are living near or in Tokyo and you are from other parts of Asia or America there are a number of good shops. Or if you just crave these foods here are some great places to shop.

From the following ethnicity: Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and American

Korea: -east of Shinokubo Station exit on the Yamanote Line there is a Korea town and there are so many Korean groceries as well as other Korean related shops, skin care, Kpop, daily necessities too.

-More west of Tokyo on Seibu-Shinjuku Line north side of Nogata Station is Damoa Korean grocery and take-away. Homemade kimchi even face packs and make up.

damoa-korean-grocery-store.business.site

野方の韓国食料品店

Thai: -Also in the same Shinokubo Station area there is a Thai grocery store called 'Asia Super Store' that also has prepared take home side dishes and desserts.

https://asia-superstore.com/

Vietnamese:　-south of Nakano Station is 'Chợ Việt VnMart Nakano' with drinks, condiments, snacks, and frozen food. They also have bahn mi and now it seems more take-away. It's really good.

American: -'Poca Taco' Spanish-American style fast food place at the south exit of Nakano Station, better than Taco Bell in Japan too. (across the street from the Vietnamese Chợ Việt VnMart shop as well)

I'm from Russia, and my best recommendation is "Cafe Russia" at Kichijouji.

There are also Baikal at Roppongi and Chaika at Takadanobaba, but I like "Cafe Russia" best.

Sincerite Bakery in Soshigaya (along the Odakyu Line) has the best bread (many awards). Some of the best baguettes I've had outside France~!

Aarti restaurant in Kitano-cho in Kobe is good for Indian food. Great lunch sets and they make street food not listed on the menu if you reserve beforehand. Very accommodating tasty food.

I like eating international foods. I went to an Indian/Nepalese restaurant at the Branch in Kobe and ordered a delicious KEBAB combo. It was very filling!

Argentinean food has been available at a restaurant in Shibuya so far, but nowadays there are more and more certified chefs doing their enterpreneurship on IG! Its as easy as to text them on a DM in advanve and they deliver the empanadas or tartas for your meals =) #Porteñas　ポルテニャス

If you miss Indian food, look for butter chicken curry packs available even in Konbini's. If you crave more food, there are multiple restaurants in osaka. My Favorite is Bindu and Banjara. They are both very near Umeda station

Last week a friend of mine tore off a piece of french bread that he had to share with me. He told me it had mentaiko on it, and although I sometimes eat mentaiko, I can’t say that it’s my favourite or anything. Anyway, the bread was really tough to break off and looked like it was soaked in oil. It looked a mess, if I’m being honest. However, there was an explosion of flavour in my mouth and I have to say it was really good. I had to ask him where he got it from and it turns out that I recognized the place since I go by there almost everyday. I’ve never gone in because I’m usually going to work and have no time, but there is always a huge line up outside even during the pandemic. Now I know why. The store is called アマム ダコタン and if you look it up, they don’t sell your average style of Japanese baked goods. It seems like they like to do some sort of fancy gourmet type stuff. A bit pricier than regular stores, but I can’t wait to try them out in full soon!

There are a lot of great burger joints in Japan, but in central Tokyo at Brozers or Shaketree are surprisingly great!

Looking for a good Mexican restaurant in Osaka or in Kyoto. Anyone had any recommendations? Thanks!

Steamed Buns 小籠包 from china. oh my lovely favourite cuisine.

You could find it in the chinese goods shop at ikebukuro or ueno or just go into a resturant and have a plate of it!

Be careful when chewing it cos it is really very hot inside!!