Tamako is the place to go for a cheap and good Japanese meal in the Upper Thomson area. Nestled in the cosy Casurina neighbourhood between prata and tze char stores, this Japanese eatery is one of those places that people who live around the area(like me) swear by. Dining here is kind of like being invited to someone’s house. The menu is simple — just laminated pieces of paper with handwritten prices, which I find adorable. I usually rotate around these few choices: potato salad, potato croquette, katsu don and chicken udon. I love the Japanese style potato salad that includes corn and carrots, and the croquette that is crispy on the outside and soft, mushy and delicious on the inside. The katsu don and chicken udon are by no means top notch, but are good enough to satisfy my random Japanese food cravings in the middle of the week. Most items on the menu are priced at less than $ 10!