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Cheerful 80-Year-Old Grandma Running a Cod Roe Store at Tokyo’s Biggest Fish Market!



We’re proud to introduce the first episode of a new byFood series “Taste of Devotion: Stories of Japanese Culinary Masters”, where we go behind the counter of unique stores run by people that dedicated their entire life to the culinary craft. Please enjoy!

Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market is renowned as one of the world’s largest and most iconic seafood markets. Beyond the market and wholesale auctions, Tsukiji also houses a myriad of small shops, eateries, and colorful characters who run the show. One such character is Grandma Tadokoro, a spirited Japanese grandma who owns and operates Tadokoro Shokuhin, a specialty mentaiko (coe roe) shop.

Tadokoro Shokuhin opened its doors in Tsukiji over 60 years ago and has built a steady reputation for selling the freshest and finest mentaiko in town to faithful customers and travelers.
As times have changed, so has the shop, but one thing has remained the same over all these years… Its fearless leader, Grandma Tadokoro.

At 80 years old, Grandma Tadokoro has proudly never taken a day off in her life, waking up at 5 am every day to prepare for the day’s operations. Originally, she ran the shop alongside her husband, but after his passing, she took over the business with the help of her son. To adapt to modernity and demands, they added a kitchen and dining area to Tadokoro Shokuhin, which serves dishes like spaghetti topped with cod roe. People flock from far and wide to feast on the savory dishes, but they keep coming back because of Grandma Tadokoro and her infectious energy.

FEATURED FOODS
Mentaiko – Alaskan Pollock Roe
Hokkaido Ikura – Fish Eggs

LOCATION
Tadokoro Shokuhin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DfQN5L2VdY2jFQnAA
Tsukiji, Tokyo

TIMELINE
00:00 Intro
00:04 Tsukiji Fish Market
00:25 Grandma Tadokoro
00:51 Tadokoro Shokuhin
04:20 Mentaiko – Alaskan Pollock Roe
04:47 Hokkaido Ikura – Fish Eggs
06:01 Satoru Tadokoro
09:30 Outro

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ABOUT BYFOOD:

ByFood is Japan’s one-stop platform for foodie travelers. Here, visitors can book food experiences (food tours, cooking classes, dining experiences, tastings), place restaurant reservations without Japanese, and learn about Japanese food culture and places to eat in different regions of Japan.

ByFood strives to make Japanese food culture accessible to anyone, removing the language barrier and accommodating dietary needs. And if your perfect food experience isn’t available on our platform, the VIP Gourmet Concierge will create one that is custom-made for you.

Best of all, for every experience that’s booked on byFood, 10 school meals will be donated to children in need through the Food for Happiness program.

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43 Comments

  1. Mike W

    Great job with this one, this brings a fresh new feel to your content here. Please make more!

  5. Japan by Food

    Shizuka's food adventure video will be up next week the usual time, until then, we hope you enjoy the story of a grandma Tadokoro. Thank you all for your support! 🥰

  8. Khanh Tranvan

    What an amazing lady , she must eat good quality seafood to be so healthy . BTW those fish roe remind me of the dragon ball , that's must be the inspiration .

  10. orville esoy

    I dig the variety, especially when locals are front and center in the story. However, I do love Shizuka's enthusiastic narration. Keep up the variety!

  11. Roselight Moon

    This is such a sweet short documentary format, what a resilient lady, it's impressive how healthy and alert she is for her age. Also looking forward to next week's video with Shizuka hopefully ^^

  15. astroboy3507

    At first I thought I clicked on the wrong channel but it’s was great guys!!!! And IKURA IS MY FAV!!!!!!! 🟠🟠🟠
    Great voice over too!!!!
    GANBATTE on her 80 👍🏻

  16. Adelbert

    Inspiring indeed. The son, made me stop everything I was doing, to call my mom and check up on her. Cheers ya'll.

  20. Steven D

    Older people in Japan have an "attitude of gratitude" which keeps them feeling hopeful despite the challenges of aging like this woman and other like her who accept the uncertainty ahead, but remain actively engaged in their wider community. Hats off to her and to you Shizuka and team for this excellent production.

  32. Fitness with Annie

    What an amazing story! That grandma is so inspiring! And then in the middle of being amazed there comes her son. He quit his dream job to help out and learn how to take over! I’m literally in tears! What an incredible team! I don’t even eat seafood. Few years already still watched it and still love it. Hope they do well! ❤

  33. Grady Browning

    The Roe was Beautiful and great quality. As a American who loves to eat fish roe, it is almost impossible to get it here in America. Not many people here eat it or are scared to try it!

  38. jordanmarcus

    very heartwarming and inspiring to see grandma tadokoro endure through the hardships and carry on the business with joy! And Satoru continuing the legacy is fantastic as well. Would have been great to see shizuka interacting with the family and trying out the offerings of course, but great video none the less ❤️

  39. xxCablexx

    respect to Grandma and family, great dedication and hard work, amazing how they evolved the business, I'd like to try some of their delicious lookin' food

  41. David K

    I love Japanese fish roe and would love to try on my next trip. This grandma is amazing and a treasure. Her attitude and passion is what we should all strive for in life.

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