{"id":27245,"date":"2018-11-21T19:01:01","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T11:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/?p=27245"},"modified":"2018-12-05T17:06:35","modified_gmt":"2018-12-05T09:06:35","slug":"japan-travel-vowz-bar-in-shinjuku-tokyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/restaurant-type\/bar-and-resto\/japan-travel-vowz-bar-in-shinjuku-tokyo\/","title":{"rendered":"JAPAN TRAVEL: Vowz Bar in Shinjuku, Tokyo \u2014 Buddhist Monks Serving Unique Cocktails!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vowz Bar in Shinjuku, Tokyo | Philippine Primer Travels\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mlWR98FX4js?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Behind the bar counter at<strong> Vowz Bar<\/strong> is where Buddhist monks in classic robes stand, bartending unique drinks and serving up unique bar food. It\u00a0is a place that offers a different picture of Buddhist monks, quite different from their reclusive, strictly somber image. The bar itself is also not your ordinary watering hole.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27248\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5257.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5257.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5257-290x193.jpg 290w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5257-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That Buddhist monks are running a bar and serving alcoholic drinks might seem contrary to their doctrine, but the monks at Vowz Bar see it as a good way of connecting with people\u2014alcoholic drinks help people ease up and talk\u2014and educating them about Buddhism. Everyone, regardless of religion, can come in for a conversation and find a welcoming sanctuary where they can have friendly conversations even on mundane issues like relationships, family, and work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27249\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5236.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5236.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5236-290x193.jpg 290w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5236-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Their original Buddhist-themed cocktails serve as a way to help visitors loosen up and begin to open up. Ranging from strong to mild, the drinks are uniquely themed based on common Buddhist concepts and saints. A must-try is <strong>Gokuraku-Jodo<\/strong> or &#8220;Nirvana in the Pure Land,&#8221; a refreshing and colorful mix of Hypnotiq liqueur, mango juice, and cranberry juice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27250\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5260.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5260.jpg 533w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5260-145x218.jpg 145w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5260-400x600.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em>Gokuraku-Jodo (\u00a5800)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Another interestingly named drink is <strong>Mugen-Jigoku<\/strong>, a mix of black vodka, Framboise liqueur, cranberry juice, and tonic water. Although the name of the drink translates to &#8220;Never-Ending Suffering in Hell,&#8221; drinking this potent and bittersweet drink feels anything but.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27251\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5259.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5259.jpg 533w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5259-145x218.jpg 145w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5259-400x600.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em>Mugen-Jigoku (\u00a5800)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Meanwhile, their bar food menu is perfect for vegetarians and vegans as everything is in accordance with Shojin Ryori or the Buddhist cuisine, which avoids the use of any kind of meat. For meat and modern food lovers, it might be a bit challenging to welcome the flavors in the mouth, but if you choose carefully according to your taste, their dishes are worth the try. They even make a great combination with the cocktails.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A popular Buddhist food is <strong>Daitoku-ji Nattou<\/strong>, which, according to the menu, gives a &#8220;sensation you have never felt!&#8221; And it&#8217;s exactly what I got. At first, the dish looked like prunes, which somewhat created an unconscious expectation that it may taste sweet and chewy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\">It&#8217;s the opposite.\u00a0Daitoku-ji Nattou is a kind of dry natto that is salted, dried, and smelled, produced at Daitoku-ji Temple in Kyoto. It has a strong salty taste and is soft and smooth to the bite. Although the taste and texture may be a bit strange for the uninitiated, the dish actually makes a good partner with alcohol.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27252\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5281.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5281.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5281-290x193.jpg 290w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5281-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em>Daitoku-ji Nattou (\u00a5500)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For something more approachable,\u00a0other recommended dishes are <strong>Miso-Tofu<\/strong>, soaked with bean paste, and <strong>Nama-Fu<\/strong> made with wheat gluten fried in sesame oil.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27253\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5306.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5306.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5306-290x193.jpg 290w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5306-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em>Miso-Tofu (\u00a5500)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27254\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5294.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5294.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5294-290x193.jpg 290w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5294-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><span style=\"font-size: 10pt\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nama-Fu (\u00a5700)<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Definitely, conversations with monks are different from talking with a friend or a stranger at a regular bar, and that in itself is a nice experience to be had. The monks are friendly and approachable, and yet talking with them still creates a feeling of warmth and solemnity. The mood is also enhanced by the simplicity of the place. The bar is small and cozy, with a small altar and Buddhist symbols on the walls, and some creative drawings too\u2014which shows that the monks have an impressive talent too.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27255\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5311.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5311.jpg 800w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5311-290x193.jpg 290w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5311-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-27256\" src=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5242.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5242.jpg 533w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5242-145x218.jpg 145w, https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/11\/IMG_5242-400x600.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You may come to Vowz Bar to experience a unique bar concept, relax and escape from problems, or meet new friends. One thing is for sure\u2014when you walk out of the bar, you will get a new understanding of Buddhism and the people that follow it, perhaps gain a unique friendship with the people at the bar!<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify\"><em>Written\u00a0by Rei Lea\u00f1o<br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt\">This first appeared in Philippine Primer English magazine\u2019s Vol. 32 \u2013 November issue.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Behind the bar counter at Vowz Bar is where Buddhist monks in classic robes stand, bartending unique drinks and serving up unique bar food. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":27258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[84,2362,42,2363,2546],"tags":[2368,2623,2367],"class_list":["post-27245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-japanese","category-japan","category-bar-and-resto","category-tokyo","category-tokyo-hole-in-the-wall-2018","tag-tokyo-2018","tag-vowz-bar","tag-where-to-eat-in-tokyo"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27245","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27245"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27245\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33574,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27245\/revisions\/33574"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27245"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27245"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/food\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27245"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}