Food Sake Tokyo (The Terroir Guides)
I really enjoyed this book and now carry it in my bag when I go out and about in Tokyo. The author's depth of knowledge is apparent throughout the book. I have already found gems I knew nothing about in areas I travel to every day.
A large part of Sakamoto's guide is given over to a detailed survey of Japanese cuisine, not just listing a few dishes but digging deeply into its ingredients and culture. For instance, the miso section taught me all about 8 main types of miso and gave clear markers to start exploring the hundreds of types of miso soup. Then, I learned about aemono and, finally, was recommended a shop in Setagaya that specializes in the stuff. This is one of the great things about the book: you don't just learn the theory, you are given places to start actually exploring what you have learned.
In chapter 5, we get a detailed breakdown of outstanding Tokyo food places by district. Really really useful.This is the part of the book that is opening up new doors for me in Tokyo.
There are nice changes of pace throughout the guide, with entertaining and informative features on particular aspects of Japanese cuisine (eg. knives, department store shopping etc.) and the photography is first rate. Finally, in reply to the customer who said his book was damaged, mine is well bound. No problem on that score. Very pleased with my purchase. (I posted my review here as well as on US Amazon because it seems the disgruntled purchaser has done the same)
A large part of Sakamoto's guide is given over to a detailed survey of Japanese cuisine, not just listing a few dishes but digging deeply into its ingredients and culture. For instance, the miso section taught me all about 8 main types of miso and gave clear markers to start exploring the hundreds of types of miso soup. Then, I learned about aemono and, finally, was recommended a shop in Setagaya that specializes in the stuff. This is one of the great things about the book: you don't just learn the theory, you are given places to start actually exploring what you have learned.
In chapter 5, we get a detailed breakdown of outstanding Tokyo food places by district. Really really useful.This is the part of the book that is opening up new doors for me in Tokyo.
There are nice changes of pace throughout the guide, with entertaining and informative features on particular aspects of Japanese cuisine (eg. knives, department store shopping etc.) and the photography is first rate. Finally, in reply to the customer who said his book was damaged, mine is well bound. No problem on that score. Very pleased with my purchase. (I posted my review here as well as on US Amazon because it seems the disgruntled purchaser has done the same)
