The Alluring Aroma of Amazake Yokocho on a Rainy Ningyocho Day
Hello, this is CityNomix. While my everyday life revolves around the hustle and bustle of digital marketing, once I step out into a city, I transform into a traveler captivated by the local culture and culinary charms. Today, I’m excited to share my food journey through Ningyocho, a Tokyo neighborhood brimming with traditional “shitamachi” (downtown) atmosphere, and specifically, Amazake Yokocho, a street where irresistible food scents fill the air.
It was just past 11 AM on a Tuesday in June. Unfortunately, rain was falling, but the moment I set foot in Amazake Yokocho, such gloominess was swept away by an intoxicatingly fragrant welcome. The smell of charring soy sauce, sweet confections, and savory dashi broth… Yes, this place is a food wonderland. My mission for the day: to indulge in a highly-rated lunch in this neighborhood. My target: a pizzeria I’d been wanting to try for ages.
Reservations Essential! Experiencing Neapolitan Pizza Perfection at PIZZA DA BABBO
My destination was “PIZZA DA BABBO,” a celebrated establishment featured in Tabelog’s “Top 100 Pizza Restaurants” list, Japan’s largest gourmet review site. Hearing rumors of their exquisite Neapolitan pizzas baked in an authentic in-house oven, my anticipation was immense.
A Popular Spot, Even in the Rain: Book Ahead!
Despite the weekday rain, the restaurant was full right at opening time. I was a tad late and missed the first seating. It seemed everyone else had made reservations. As someone in digital marketing, I can’t believe I overlooked such a basic step (chuckles). I mentally vowed to book ahead for my next visit. After about a 15-minute wait, I was finally seated. A valuable lesson learned!
Looking around, about a third of the patrons appeared to be business people working nearby. The rest were clearly food enthusiasts who had come specifically for this restaurant, some from afar. There were a few solo diners, and I noticed a prevalence of female customers. Some staff members were non-Japanese, but they provided service in fluent, polite Japanese, which was very pleasant.
The Joy of Menu Selection and a Pleasant Discovery
Now, to peruse the menu. The lunch set included a main pizza with a choice of salad or soup. The soup of the day was “corn soup,” a personal favorite. I couldn’t pass that up.
Then, I spotted a small note in the corner: “Add JPY 300 for both appetizers.” What a delightful surprise! Of course, I opted for both the salad and the soup. Flipping the menu over, I found another gem: à la carte pizzas could also be made into a lunch set for an additional charge. Such thoughtful details truly capture a foodie’s heart.
High Hopes from the Appetizers: Fresh Salad and Rich Corn Soup
First, the appetizers arrived. The crisp, fresh vegetables in the salad were perfectly complemented by a tangy vinaigrette dressing, enhancing their natural flavors.
Next was the much-anticipated corn soup. It had a delightful texture with bits of corn kernels, unlike typical smooth corn soups. It was moderately sweet and rich, a comforting taste that warmed both body and soul. Even at the appetizer stage, my expectations for the main course were soaring.
The Stars Arrive: Margherita and Quattro Formaggi
Finally, the main event! Watching the pizzas being baked in the restaurant’s oven added to the excitement and whetted my appetite further.
The first to be served was the classic “Margherita.” The aroma of fresh tomatoes, rich mozzarella, and fragrant basil wafted from the freshly baked crust, a tantalizing trio. The crust was perfectly crispy on the outside and delightfully chewy on the inside. I thought one pizza might be too large, but it was so delicious that I finished it in no time. A truly classic dish where the quality of the ingredients shone through.
Next up was my other target, the “Quattro Formaggi.” A complex and rich harmony of four cheeses – Ricotta, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella, and Grana Padano. Drizzling the accompanying honey over it created an exquisite explosion of flavor in my mouth, as the saltiness of the cheese melded perfectly with the sweetness of the honey. For anyone skeptical about “honey on pizza,” I urge you to try this combination. It was an unforgettable taste, reminiscent of the Gorgonzola Kulcha from Kamarpool, a famous restaurant in Monzen-Nakacho. A true delight for cheese lovers.
Thank you, PIZZA DA BABBO, for an amazing lunch. I was thoroughly satisfied. This is a top-notch restaurant I can confidently recommend for lunch in Ningyocho. I’ll definitely be back!
Amazake Yokocho’s Endless Temptations: The Post-Meal Food Hopping Continues
After a deeply satisfying pizza lunch, I started my walk back through Amazake Yokocho, only to be stopped in my tracks by an old-fashioned sign and a tantalizing aroma. “Yanagiya – Premium Taiyaki.” My stomach was supposedly full from the pizza, but this temptation was irresistible.
Piping Hot Danger! Yanagiya’s Famous Taiyaki
At the storefront, despite the rain, artisans were diligently grilling taiyaki (fish-shaped cakes filled with sweet bean paste). Drawn in by the live action, I bought one. The taiyaki handed to me was so hot I could barely hold it!
One bite and…it was dangerously hot! Careful not to burn myself, I savored it, huffing and puffing. The thin, crispy batter encased a generous filling of moist, subtly sweet red bean paste (tsubuan). As a Ningyocho sweet treat after pizza, this was an excellent choice. The simple joy of eating taiyaki in the rain – another delightful aspect of Amazake Yokocho food hopping.
A Taste of Tradition: Ningyocho Imahan’s Beef Korokke
Having enjoyed the taiyaki, I was, once again, about to head home when an imposing red sign caught my eye. It was “Sukiyaki Kappo Ningyocho Imahan”! I’m a regular customer of their prepared foods at department stores, but it had been a while since I visited the main store. I was drawn towards their adjoining butcher shop and delicatessen.
The compact deli was packed with an array of delicious-looking items. What particularly stood out was the “Beef Korokke” (croquette), generously made with Imahan’s signature beef. I couldn’t pass this up either. “One beef korokke, please,” I asked, and the staff member inquired, “Will you be eating it as you walk?” So, even this venerable establishment welcomes street food enthusiasts! With an internal cheer, I replied, “Yes, I will!”
I immediately took a bite right outside the shop. The coating was crispy, and the inside was filled with chunks of meat, the sweetness of the potato and the umami of the beef exploding in my mouth. Delicious! The only minor regret, due to my lack of research, was not asking if they could warm it up. I’ll be sure to ask next time. Another real-life lesson learned.
Future Missions: The Elusive Roast Beef and “Niku no Hi” (Meat Day)
Having devoured the beef korokke in a flash, I glanced at the butcher shop as I was leaving, only to spot a shocking poster. “Limited Evening Sale from 4 PM: Otsumami Roast Beef and from 11 AM Dynamite Sale!” What?! But it was still early afternoon. I had missed Dynamite Sale for the day… Drat. Furthermore, I saw the words “Every 29th is Niku no Hi (Meat Day).” I knew about “Book Day” (the 29th), but I had no idea Imahan had a “Meat Day” sale. This adds another exciting item to my list for my next Ningyocho gourmet adventure in this fascinating downtown Tokyo food scene.
Ningyocho’s Culinary Charms are Endless: A Vow to Return
Beyond the places I visited today, Ningyocho is home to many other attractive eateries, such as “Taniya,” a famous Sanuki udon restaurant, and “Fuwari,” popular for its Waguri (Japanese chestnut) Mont Blanc and kakigori (shaved ice). Ningyocho is a town that constantly reminds me of the depth of Tokyo’s shitamachi gourmet culture.
For today, my stomach and soul were thoroughly nourished by delicious pizza and exquisite street food. Despite the rainy stroll, the food gods certainly smiled upon me. This town has a mysterious charm that makes me want to visit again and again. If, by reading this article, you’ve felt even a little of Ningyocho and Amazake Yokocho’s allure and are inspired to visit on your next day off, there’s no greater joy for me as your navigator.
Thank you for the wonderful meal. I’ll definitely be back, Ningyocho!
PIZZA DA BABBO Official Website: https://www.da-babbo.jp/
Google MAP of the Visited Location :