Tokyo: Everything in Harajuku 原宿 is Nice

I like to shop and eat but a visit to Harajuku 原宿 will not be completed without Meiji Jingu 明治神宮. Indeed, the walk in and out of this idyllic shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji prepared us for whatever deafening consumerism radiating from the upbeat streets of Omotesando 表参道. 

In short, we strolled and shopped but this is a food blog. Lunch was settled at Tenya 天ぷら屋台. There were at least 10 people in the queue and in true Japanese spirit we queued by the entrance under the blazing sun. In true Japanese's consideration and efficiency, people in Tenya did not linger after their meals. We were ushered into the shop in less than 15 mins. I am impressed already.

And so they say everything in Japan is nice and how true it is. Tenya's tempura and cold udon were delightfully fresh and light. The amount of soy used for the rice was just right. Not too much, not too little. The dipping for cold noodles was fabulous too. Wayyyy better than what we ate on our national carrier the day before. What to do? Everything in Japan is nice!

We washed everything down with cold genmaicha before we emptied our seats as satisfied and considerate customers. For the pricing and quality, this shop deserves as many rounds of turnovers as possible.

Tucked in a little corner of Harajuku before we reached the swanky streets of Omotesando. We saw a name of a familiar chain selling takoyaki. There is a Gindaco 築地銀だこ's branch at ION (Singapore) and there supposed to be a popular Takohana 第八蛸華丸 across the street. Going by the principle that everything in Japan is nice and Takohana's infamous queue, we settled for Gindaco.

Our order of takoyaki with mentaiko dressing was indeed very nice. Somehow tasted much better than any takoyaki back home. They even gave a cute bottle of UCC's syrup for our lemonade. By the way, there is actually a lift at the left of Gindaco's shopfront leading to its cafe on level 2. No need to eat by the roadside which is a good thing.

Sweetbox クレープ is a popular crepe shop in Takeshita 竹下口. Takeshita is a youthful and vibrant area selling all sorts of paraphernalia, a stark contrast to the elegance of Omotesando. Almost everyone in Takeshita had a crepe on hand when we were there. Alas, tummies were too full (read weather too hot!) and we settled for Sweetbox's matcha ice instead.

In Harajuku, it is even nice to manage dripping shaved ice and jostle with the crowd under the merciless sun!

Tenya 天ぷら屋台
Harajuku TK Bldg
1F, 4-31 Jingumae
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
東京都渋谷区神宮前4-31
(across the street from H&M and Forever 21, you cannot miss it) 

The Gindaco 築地銀だこ
Address: Dai5 Suwa Bldg.
1F/2F, 1-14-24 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo 　
Telephone: (03)5775 1788
Open: 11am–10pm
東京都渋谷区神宮前1-14-24　
第5寿和ビル1F・2F
(for people who has radar for westernised sweets, there is a Grom across the street from Gindaco)

Crepe Sweetbox クレープ
1-17-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
東京都渋谷区神宮前1-17-5
(next to MacDonalds along the very hip 竹下口)