{"id":1622,"date":"2024-05-27T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-27T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/?post_type=blog&#038;p=1622"},"modified":"2026-04-10T14:11:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T05:11:55","slug":"hamamatsucho-potato-salad","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/blog\/hamamatsucho-potato-salad\/","title":{"rendered":"Potato Salad: the Unexpected, Can\u2019t-Miss Item When Dining Out in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/01-05.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1623\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-ZSLlEc aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p><strong>The must-try \u201cpote-sara\u201d during your visit to Japan<\/strong><br>I\u2019m willing to bet that potato salad probably isn\u2019t on your list of foods you\u2019re dying to try during your trip to Japan, but you might want to reconsider that. You\u2019d be amazed at the unique and delicious takes on this beloved izakaya staple. In this article, I\u2019ll show you three must-try potato salads, or pote-sara, as it\u2019s often abbreviated locally.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Potato salad just how you like it\u2014because you mash it yourself!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/02-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1624\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-14SyIT aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p>If you\u2019re interested in an interactive potato salad experience, try Shinjidai. A chain of izakaya, Shinjidai\u2019s main store in Akihabara is easily accessible from Tavinos via Hamamatsucho Station. Named the \u201ctroublesome\u201d potato salad (mendokusai poteto sarada), this dish arrives at your table as a bowl of ingredients: thinly sliced onions and cucumber, corn, hard-boiled eggs, seasoned mayo, and freshly boiled potatoes. Not only does this presentation allow you to decide how smooth or chunky you want the salad to be, but mixing it up fresh at the table keeps the potatoes at their fluffiest. No soggy spuds here! The seasoned mayo gives it just the right amount of zip while the onions and cucumbers give it a satisfying crunch, and the corn provides some sweetness.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/03-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1625\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-25KkvH aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p>Shinjidai is also famous for its skewers of crispy chicken skin. How good are these? Well, they\u2019ve sold two hundred thousand of these skewers so far, and those kind of numbers speak for themselves. They\u2019re super crispy, and the uniquely sweet sauce is made with Asian ginseng, which is said to cure whatever ails you\u2014perfect for keeping you healthy and happy during your trip!<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/04-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1626\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shinjidai<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-1JXxNz aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p>Address: 2-10-2 Sakuma-cho, Kanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo<br>Hours: Open 24 hours<br>Closed: Open all year round<br>Website:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/shinjidai-akihabara.owst.jp\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/shinjidai-akihabara.owst.jp\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other unique potato salads to you\u2019ll want to try<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/01-05.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1623\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-Z214Hm7 aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p>NoMeat NoLife in Shinjuku Kabukicho mainly offers wagyu yakiniku (also known as Korean BBQ), but their \u201cadult potato salad\u201d (otona no poteto sarada) is a must-try, especially if you are a fan of soft-boiled eggs like me. On top of a mound of potato salad flavored with spicy Japanese mustard, paprika, and bacon sits a soft-boiled egg coated in delicious seasonings that you get to break open and mix to your liking. It\u2019s the perfect blend of spicy and smokey. Plus, the spicy mustard acts as a palate cleanser between bites of yakiniku.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/06-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1627\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-2tHTaD aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p>If you\u2019re new to yakiniku and not sure what to order, NoMeat NoLife suggests particularly tender cuts of beef like the fillet (hire) and chateaubriand. Also, I recommend trying the karubi or rib meat, which is very popular among Japanese people. While you\u2019re at it, why not try some sushi\u2014with raw meat! I ordered the \u201cred meat\u201d (akami) wagyu nigirizushi. It was delicious, and I highly recommend it to any adventurous eaters who enjoy their steaks on the rare side.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/07-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1628\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NoMeat NoLife 2nd<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-27CL8R aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p>Address: 1-13-10 Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo<br>Hours: 5:00 pm &#8211; 1:00 am<br>Closed: Open all year round<br>Website:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.firstring.jp\/shoplist.html#yakinikubar2nd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.firstring.jp\/shoplist.html#yakinikubar2nd<\/a><\/p>\n                <p>While enjoying all the delicious foods Japan has to offer, eating out every day can take a toll on your stomach, and you may find yourself craving something closer to home cooking. On those days, look no further than Potato Cream in Jiyugaoka.<\/p>\n                <p>Rather than potato salad, Potato Cream serves super creamy mashed potatoes topped with one of several sauces. While tempted by their seasonal menu, I decided to try their two regular menu items: potato cream topped with eggplant and ground meat in tomato sauce and potato cream with Japanese turnips and chicken in gorgonzola sauce. Served in stylish containers, they were very Instagram-ready.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/08-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1629\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-Z18Ut8n aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p>But they weren\u2019t only a feast for the eyes; they were delicious and filled with veggies. The eggplant and ground meat had spinach, shimeji mushrooms, and asparagus and was flavored with cream, parmesan cheese, and basil. The turnip and chicken came with edamame and eringi mushrooms and was seasoned with dill. As the name suggested, the mashed potatoes were super creamy and were the perfect vehicle to enjoy the sauce. I would 100% recommend stopping by this cute little shop for a meal that will not only taste good but make you feel good, too.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/09-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1631\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Potato Cream<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-Z3mn6C aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p>Address: 1-25-2 1F Jiyugaoka, Meguro City, Tokyo,<br>Hours: 11:30 am &#8211; 6:00 pm<br>Closed: Wednesday<br>Website:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/potatocream1214\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/potatocream1214\/<\/a><\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Writer<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"c-text-box lazyblock-text-box-F4GXl aligndefault aligndefault  wp-block-lazyblock-text-box\">\n            <p>Rachael Aoki<br>Originally from the East Coast of the United States, Rachael has called Japan home for over a decade. She enjoys discovering destinations that are popular with locals from quaint cafes to hole-in-the-wall eateries and sharing that information with visitors from overseas. She also loves taking trips to onsen and is always up for a trip to Hakone, Kanagawa.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1623,"template":"","format":"standard","blog_cat":[7],"class_list":["post-1622","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog_cat-hamamatsucho"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Potato Salad: the Unexpected, Can\u2019t-Miss Item When Dining Out in Japan - HOTEL TAVINOS [Official Website]<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover Japanese potato salad, or pote-sara, and explore top spots in Tokyo where you can enjoy unique takes on this beloved dish.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hoteltavinos.com\/en\/blog\/hamamatsucho-potato-salad\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Potato Salad: the Unexpected, Can\u2019t-Miss Item When Dining Out in Japan - 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