A Gourmet Day in Otsuka Area Where the Tokyo’s Only Tram Runs: 3 Good-Rated Eateries on Gourmet Sites Within a 5-Minute Walk from JR Otsuka Sta.

Though Otsuka area is only a 5-stations away from the busiest district area of Tokyo, Shinjuku, you will find the area far different from Shinjuku or Ikebukuro and is a bit nostalgic. The running Tokyo Sakura Tram, the only tram in service in Tokyo, on streets in Otsuka area is reminiscent of good old times. Otsuka is getting recognized as a gourmet town where popular eateries are located and major gourmet websites sometimes make special features for the area. In this issue, let us introduce three top-rated eateries from categories of Sweets, Japanese Cuisine and Ramen.

All eateries introduced are with in a reach of 5-minute walk from JR Otsuka Station.

Enjoy a photogenic parfait with plenty of seasonal fruits carefully selected by the owner every morning at “FRUITS SUGI”

At a fruits specialty shop, “FRUITS SUGI” (「フルーツすぎ」), you will find variety of fruits carefully selected by the shop owner every morning at Ota Wholesale Market, the biggest market dealing vegetables and fruits in Japan. The shop is equipped with the eating space where you can enjoy “Fruits Parfait” (フルーツパフェ) made with the best seasonal fruits well accepted by the owner. Since every parfait is made once the order has been placed and there are no ingredients regarded as frills such as flakes and sponge cakes, you can literally taste and feel the fruits as are. As available menus vary depending on the season and the stock status, checking its SNS before visiting is recommended. For your information, because early summer is the season of melons, “Parfait with 4 Kinds of Melons” (4種類のメロンパフェ) is the one you want to order now. Sweet four kinds of melons are used, and you will be fascinated by the juicy juice and sweet aroma. The photogenic look that the melons cut into circles fill the glass is also a gem.

Opening Hours	12:00PM – 8:00PM on weekdays / 11:00AM – 8:30PM on Saturday and National Holidays Closed on Sunday and some Wednesday *Because of the limited quantity of parfaits available, check its official SNS or contact the shop for details.
Address	2-11-4 Kita Otsuka, Toshima City, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 3-minute walk from JR Otsuka Station
URL	<Official Site> http://fruits-sugi.com/ <Instagram> https://www.instagram.com/fruits_sugi/?hl=ja <Twitter>  https://twitter.com/fruitssugi

Rice balls with your choice of 50 kinds of ingredients! A rice ball specialty shop “Bongo” established in 1960

“Bongo” (ぼんご) is a locally loved shop specializing in rice balls and has been running its business for more than 60 years in this neighborhood. There are over 50 kinds of ingredients, from classic ones as ‘grilled salmon” (しゃけ) and “shiso and kelp’ (しそ昆布) to unusual varieties as ‘cream cheese with spicy pollock roe’ (明太クリームチーズ) and ‘jellyfish marinated with sea urchin’ (うにくらげ) available. Besides, you can ask for two or more of your favorite ingredients and have them cook your own original one. A rice ball, which is made by wrapping rice and ingredients in seaweed from Ariake (a famous region for producing the best seaweed), is so superb. You can feel each grain of plump rice firmly. Also, the reason their rice balls are so much loved is the ingredients are always tasted with rice no matter which part of them you make your bite. The ratio of rice and ingredients is set to 2:1 as the owner wants customers always to enjoy the rice and ingredients together. You can take your rice balls away, but it is recommended that you should enjoy them in the shop. Freshly made hot rice balls should be addictive once you taste them.

Opening Hours	11:30AM – 0:00AM / Closed on Sunday
Address	2-26-3 Kita Otsuka, Toshima City, Tokyo Prefecture
Access	A 2-minute walk from Otsuka Station
URL	https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1323/A132302/13003791/

A Michelin star winning for 5 consecutive years, Ramen restaurant “Sosaku Menkobo Nakiryu”: Masterpieces created by soup made only with natural ingredients, and homemade noodles

参照：食べログ『創作麺工房 鳴龍』

“Sosaku Menkobo Nakiryu” (創作麺工房 鳴龍), a Micheline one-star winning ramen restaurant for five consecutive years since 2017, was founded in 2012. Although every menu is well-loved and worth trying, its signature one is ‘Tantanmen’ (担々麺). The soup is made only from natural ingredients such as whole chicken, beef bones, and raw oysters, without using any chemical additives. In addition, the richness of sesame paste, homemade Tahini, and the spiciness of chili oil added into the soup make irresistible harmony. The texture of finely crushed peanuts and the gentle sweetness of chopped green onions also make your bowl of ramen upgraded. The soup goes well with homemade noodles with a rich aroma of wheat, and your chopsticks should never stop for another slurp. Thoroughly enjoy a masterpiece of ramen that even Michelin recommends.

Opening Hours	11:30AM – 3:00PM for lunch service and 6:00PM – 9:00PM for dinner service / Closed on Tuesday / Dinner service not available on Monday *Hours may vary depending on the availability of soup and noodles.
住所	2-34-4 Minami Otsuka, Toshima City, Tokyo Prefecture
アクセス	A 5-minute walk from Otsuka Station
URL	https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1323/A132302/13141302/