Bib Gourmand
Our Japanese-language reporter heads to Akihabara to see why this bowl of noodles scored its creators a Bib Gourmand, and leaves both stuffed and smiling.
With no cosmopolitan cachet to influence gourmands’ minds, this ramen wins recognition purely for its flavor.
In Japan, takoyaki (somewhat unappealingly translated as “octopus balls”) is known as “B-Class Gourmet” food. Takoyaki is the domain of sometimes shady street vendors and national chains where there are literally no chairs whatsoever on the premises. They’re meant to be consumed while still blazing hot, fresh off the special cratered griddle used to make them, chewed and swallowed at lightning speed while you suck in air to make them just cool enough that they don’t burn a hole in your esophagus on the way down.
Therefore, takoyaki is not, one would think, within the purview of the Michelin tire company’s prestigious Michelin Guide for world-renowned restaurants. But, surprisingly, the 2016 Michelin Guide contains not just one but several restaurants specializing in takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and other “B-Class Gourmet” foods famous around Osaka and the Kansai area.
One of those featured restaurants, Aizuya, is, it turns out, actually rumored to be the restaurant that flat-out invented takoyaki. And since that sounds like a good premise for an article, and gives us an excuse to stuff our faces with this delicious local street food, we went to check it out.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
New Japanese KitKat flavour, Sugar Butter Tree, is like cracking a chocolate tree branch
Kyoto temple suffering from littering tourists claiming not to understand Japanese verbal warning
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Osaka man reserved and cancelled 1,873 seats at two baseball games to get more space for self
Weekly
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura- Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Monthly
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026- Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character- Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
- Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino- Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
- Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Yearly
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
New Japanese KitKat flavour, Sugar Butter Tree, is like cracking a chocolate tree branch
Kyoto temple suffering from littering tourists claiming not to understand Japanese verbal warning
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Osaka man reserved and cancelled 1,873 seats at two baseball games to get more space for self
Mister Donut wows matcha lovers in Japan with new Dora Matcha doughnuts
All your ordinary moments through a sweet retro gaming lens【Animated GIFs】
Studio Ghibli notebooks are a beautiful place to write down your beautiful thoughts【Photos】
Louis Vuitton’s Marc Jacobs creates high fashion Hatsune Miku
One of Tokyo’s busiest subway lines is adding women-only cars
Hear ye, hear ye! 7-Eleven’s Cheese Buns are the best cheesy bread snacks on the market
How to fold an adorable towel bunny while you wait for your meal
Family Mart’s eight new cheese treats tempt cheese lovers from across Japan【Taste test】
-
