Dining in Japan the Cheap Way

800 Yen Dumpling Set

2007-12-24T00:57:00.001-08:00

How would you like to fill your eyes as you would like to fill your stomach? These Japanese sushi, sashimi and other dumpling creations will surely fill both your eyes and stomach's hunger. From top left to down right. Tuna (blue fin) maki, egg and nori maki, ika maki, tuna (yellow fin) maki, another fish maki which I don't know the name, 6 pieces of cucumber (green ones) and tuna rolled maki, daikon salad, maki with fish eggs, ebi (shrimp) maki, another fish maki, salmon maku and a bamboo nori maki. Halfway eating this beautiful meal already made my tummy full. This is perfect when dipped in soy sauce with wasabi. This shop is in Mita, Minatoku, near Keiyo Daigaku.

Banana on Sticks

2007-12-24T00:08:00.001-08:00

Spotted at Ueno Park near the eki. This man sells 300 yen banana on sticks coated with strawberry, chocolate and mint flavors sprinkled with colorful sweets for only 300 yen per piece. This is indeed healthy treats for kids who want to munch food while strolling in the park.

Unusual Combination

2007-12-23T23:18:00.000-08:00

Me and my boss dined at this restaurant near Tamachi station a couple of months ago. Unusual combination before the main course being served is poached egg in semi-sweet soup with matching mug of Asahi beer. A good way to start before the main course.

Hokka Hokka

2007-12-23T23:11:00.000-08:00

Hokka Hokka is a bento shop found all around Japan. For those who seek the cheapest food, try Nori Bento. It only sells for 290 yen. Rice sprinkled with grilled sesame seeds covered with nori (seaweed wapper) and with breaded fish, kani (crab sticks) and daikon salad. So far this is the cheapest solution to hunger I have found in Tokyo.

But, after a few successive lunches, I got fed up with its taste. Hehehe.

The Obento

2007-12-23T22:53:00.000-08:00

Boxed lunches or packaged ready-to-eat food called obento can be found in all convenience shops and food stalls all over Japan. This Tonkatsudon bento I bought was my first bento here in Japan when I arrived in my house. This sells for 480 yen. According to my colleague, this is already expensive for a bento. Well if you feel hunger at the wee hours of the evening, 480 yen is already reasonable for a very quick dinner. Bentos on some grocery stores are sometimes sold 30% less than their actual price 3 hours before it closes. Seiyu Shop bentos that are discounted 3 hours before it closes are a real hit to everybody.

Bentos are perfect during lunch time where time is of the luxury in the office and during disadvantage hours of the night. Well, sometimes, I get tired of eating it because I don't really like the idea of microwaved packed food. But this is a quick and easy solution for everyday hunger.

Takoyaki

2007-12-23T22:41:00.001-08:00

Octopus tentacle-stuffed batter mixture which is grilled into ball-shaped grilling machine. Tako means octopus and yaki means grilled. Literally, this is grilled octopus. This one sells for 350 yen for 6 pieces outside Kunitachi eki. Tastly and good to fill your hunger.

Champon at the Ringer Hut

2007-12-23T22:11:00.000-08:00

Probably one of the best and cheapest food I like here in Japan is Nagasaki's own version of ramen, the Champon. It is like the Philippine-style egg noodles in hot soup which I can't exactly describe the taste concocted with octopus tentacles, cabbages, naruto, fish cake, bean sprouts, shrimps, pea pod beans, and spices. Especially this winter season, this soup dish and a meal itself is good to eat. What I like most in this meal is their price. Most ramen shops in Tokyo are very expensive and less filling. This one is more filling to the tummy than most ramen shops are selling around Tokyo metropolitan. I usually order set meals which includes 6 pieces of gyouza. It is a one-way to a healthy and filling lunch or dinner. They also serve Chinese-style stir fried soba topped with veggies. Eveything here is delicious. Its a real champion. As their marketing tag says "We are the champons!"

Click to visit RingerHut's website.