Current Hot Topic: Fake Food Making Lessons!
Kappabashi Dougu Street has developed as a wholesale district for restaurants in Japan, and includes everything from fake food samples,which are extremely popular among tourists,to cooking equipment like knives and pots.Out of all various specialty stores located in Kappabashi Dougu Street,this time we will introduce you to fake food sample lessons!
Kappabashi Dougu Street is located exactly in the middle of Asakusa and Ueno. 170 specialty stores are lined along the street, which is approximately 800m long from north to south. Although it's a wholesale district, it's a popular sightseeing spot for many tourists who come for the fake food.
Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya: where there are fake food samples that are so realistic that they can be mistaken for the actual thing. Not only you can buy unique goods but also you can actually try making fake food sample. Why don't you try making fake food samples that you'd want to eat ?
You can easily try a fake food making lesson with the classical method using wax. You can try to make a total of three fake food items in the Kappabashi Showroom--two kinds of tempura and lettuce.
For tempura, you may select two kinds. The options are sweet potatoes, shrimp, lotus roots, green peppers, shiitake mushrooms, egg plants and pumpkins.
Use three colors of wax--white, green and yellow. Be careful since the wax is hot.
"How to make fake shrimp tempura"
① First we'll make shrimp tempura.Drop wax from a high point and create the shape of tempura batter.The technique for making good fake shrimp tempura is to drop the wax in a rectangle shape.
② Wrap the shrimp in the tempura batter you made in step①.If you place the stomach of the shrimp facing upward and lower it vertically from its tail,the tempura batter will naturally wrap the shrimp.
③ Get rid of unnecessary tempura batter, make it into a nice shape,and the shrimp tempura will be complete in no time! Try as much as possible not to touch the surface so that the batter won't be smashed.
"How to make fake lettuce"
① Make lettuce leaves using white and green wax. Making leaves with uniform thickness is tough.
② Grab the ends before the wax gets hard, and spread the leaves by sinking them vertically and pulling them toward you.
③ The folds of leaves are created by pulling them toward you. Now that you've finished this step, you're almost there.
④ Place the leaves you alternately folded on each side and make them round like lettuce. How dense the inside of lettuce is depends on the amount of pressure you use.
⑤ The palm-sized lettuce is complete! It's round and cute.
Cut it in half with a knife,and it's just like a dense lettuce head inside!
Of course, you may bring the fake food sample you made back home.Be careful not to eat it since it looks so real!
The spaghetti kit from the "Sample'n series" allows you to also enjoy making fake food at home.With the kit, in no time you can make spaghetti that floats in the air.There are plenty of other options too, such as pizza or parfaits.Don't worry even if you don't know Japanese. You can get English instructions at the cashier if you ask.
Shaved ice kits are easy and only require short a period of time, so they're good for beginners.
Power outlet cover with melting butter that looks incredibly real.
Roll cake shaped scotch tape dispenser even replicates the moist texture of batter.
Bacon bookmarks that you'd want to eat.
Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya Kappabashi Showroom
Address: 3-7-6 Nishi-asakusa, Taito-Ku, Tokyo
Access: 5 minute walk from TSUKUBA EXPRESS Asakusa station Exit A2.
12 minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza line Tawaramachi station.
15 minute walk from Hibiya line Iriya station Exit 1.
Business hours: 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Closed: End and beginning of the year
Credit cards: Accepted (VISA, MASTER, China UnionPay)
Website： Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya Kappabashi Showroom
*Reservations are required for fake food making lessons. An interpreter will join the lesson since it's available only in Japanese.
Call 0120-17-1839 (from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) to make a fake food making lesson reservation.
*Package redesign in March, 2015
Just like real DIY snack kit!
"Popin' Cookin'" series
"Happy Sushi House" is a DIY snack kit that allows you to make snack sushi that look just like the real thing. The quality of rice and topping are so well made that you won't believe it's snack!
The package includes a bag with powder. Dissolve the powder with water to make fake tuna, egg, and ikura (salmon egg).
Place toppings on rice, arrange them on the attached sheet, and there you go!
*Snack making sample
"Funny Cake House" is a DIY snack kit that allows you to make cute cakes and soft serve as if you had become a patissier.
Kracie Foods
Price: Happy Sushi House 250 yen (before taxes), Funny Cake House 200 yen (before taxes)
Available at: Super markets, variety shops, etc...
Website： Kracie Foods
Many other charming shops are located in Kappabashi Dougu Street
"Japanese Tableware Dengama": where you can find your favorite Japanese tableware
"Japanese tableware Dengama" offers pottery and ironware collected from kamamoto all over Japan. Since there is a wide array of items, such as dishes, cups, and even flower vases and chopstick rests, you'll want to find your favorite one. You're sure to make new discoveries every time you visit because potters regularly hold exhibitions here.
Chopstick rests in various shapes. It's an souvenir to take home since it's small.
Wood repurposed from old houses in Gifu prefecture are used in the store, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Japanese Tableware Dengama Asakusa Kikuyabashi Main Store
Address: 1-4-3 Nishi-asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza line Tawaramachi station.
8 minute walk from Ginza line Asakusa station.
10 minute walk from Toei Asakusa Line Asakusa station.
Business hours: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Closed: January 1st - January 3rd
Credit card: Accepted (VISA, MASTER, AMEX, China UnionPay etc...)
website: Japanese Tableware Dengama Asakusa Kikuyabashi Main Store
At "Kamata Hakensha" not only will you encounter knives that'll last a lifetime, but they also thoroughly teach you which types of knife to use in different situations and how to maintain knives well. It's a good souvenir or gift since they engrave a name by hand in kanji or katakana when you purchase a knife. They can also assist you in English, so don't hesitate to ask for help when you're having a hard time finding or choosing a knife.
More than 800 kinds of knives, from typical santoku knives to sashimi knives and menkiri knives (for noodles) are regularly offered. Japanese knives are known to be very sharp, and many foreign tourists visit the shop.
Knives with cherry blossom designs that evoke Japan are popular among foreign tourists.
Kappabashi Kamata Hakensha
Address: 2-12-6 Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 10 minute walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza line Asakusa station.
8 minute walk from Ginza line Tawaramachi station.
Business hours:
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Monday through Saturday)
10:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (Sunday & Holiday)
Closed: End and beginning of year, Bon holidays
Credit card: Accepted (VISA, MASTER, AMEX etc...)
Website： Kappabashi Kamata Hakensha
*You can check in knives as checked baggage when boarding an airplane.
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