Blog - Kōenji, Asagaya and back again
Kōenji, Asagaya and back again
Today was some neighborhood (in the extended meaning) walking, as we went to Asagaya and back to Nakano. Just a tranquil afternoon, but here are some highlights.
Passing through Koenji, I noticed for the first time this cute sign at the entrance of a backstreet, saying that it's only for pedestrians, no bear riding.
Nearby there we entered a "cake boutique" (self-described) called Mynt for the first time. The shop is run by an older lady who seems to bake everything herself. She also had a Valentine's campaign going with home-made chocolates. We got figue and chocolate cakes and ate them later on a bench in Asagaya. The cakes were very cheap (¥250 each), not bad at all but not quite my thing, I prefer a more expensive and tasty cake.
Next we dropped by Asagaya Bagel, a tiny but very good bread shop. Unfortunately it closes at 15:00 and it was already 15:30, so better luck next time.
As we headed north through Asagaya's shopping street Pearl Center, a shop's old lady caught my attention by saying "come come! please come!" despite all the customers in front of the shop and the fact that I wasn't even nearby. It was a temporary mochi (rice cake) shop that came from Kyoto and she wanted to offer me a sample. I'm not a big mochi fan but it was good. :) The old lady was very nice too but I didn't buy anything.
Next we went closer to the station, passing a taiyaki (fish-shaped pancake usually filled with red beans) shop that we had been to recently. That time we had got their "okonomiyaki", which attempts to stuff one inside of a taiyaki, but it ends up being something that you can't quite hold in your hands, it's served in a plastic case and eaten with chopsticks. It was good anyway! But we didn't stop this time.
Our next stop was Usagi-ya, a shop that sells Japanese-style desserts such as its famous dorayaki (¥170 each). There are also very cute "usagi manjū", that is white manjū with pink eyes and ears drawn on them. This time we got some dorayaki to take home, and they were very fluffy and delicious!
Then we walked along Chūō line to Kōenji where I got my hair cut, it had been a while and it was about time! I didn't get it cut too short though cause it's still winter and I need my hair.
Walking again along the tracks towards Nakano, we stopped at Manmaru Mantō, a shop that serves Chinese steamed buns that we like a lot! I can hardly pass without buying one, cheap and hot and delicious. We sat while waiting and decided to eat in, and we were served hot tea too. The small shop's charming owner also serves hot pho (Vietnamese noodles) that we have yet to try.
This sums up today's adventures!
Cake Boutique Mynt (Tabelog)
2-11-12 Umesato, Suginami-ku, near Shin-Kōenji station
Asagaya Bagel (Tabelog)
5-35-7 Narita-higashi, Suginami-ku, near Minami-Asagaya station
Usagi-ya / うさぎや (Tabelog)
1-3-7 Asagaya-kita, Suginami-ku, near Asagaya station
Manmaru Mantō / まん○るまんとう
1-4-1 Kōenji-kita, Suginami-ku, not too far from Kōenji station on the north side of the tracks
Posted on February 11, 2008 at 01:59 | Tweet
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I've wondered if that Manmaru place was good. I've seen it a few times while retrieving my bicycle from the tow lot.
Posted by Joseph on February 12, 2008 at 12:23
Yes, you should try it! But hopefully you won't need to have your bike towed to pass by it again. :)
Posted by Patrick on February 12, 2008 at 13:20