Tokyo is the hottest city for food lovers for a second consecutive year because of its abundance of innovative restaurants and superb ingredients, according to a US food magazine.
Barcelona came in second, followed by Copenhagen, London and New York in Food & Wine Magazine's fourth annual list of top cities to go for cutting-edge cuisine and vibrant food scenes.
"Tokyo is the best food city hands down," Jen Murphy, the magazine's travel editor, said.
"That's where chefs are going for innovations. There's also a history of food traditions. They are so far ahead of us."
All the top cities on the list offer "fantastic food at all price points," Murphy added.
In a surprise move, Paris with its abundance of Michelin-star restaurants fell off the list after placing second last year.
While this was not a slam against French cuisine, which remains top-notch, Murphy explained, "Right now, there's no new excitement to the food scene there."(more)
I am assuming by being the "hottest," the magazine is only accounting for the local izakayas and traditional dishes but not the international food.