Here are six things we did in our down time while filming MasterChef in Tokyo:

Nakame Takkyū Lounge

George’s obsession with table tennis meant a trip to this grungy bar that has its own tables was a must. We took with us those contestants not involved with filming Gary’s masterclass at Kanda Matsuya.

Turret Coffee

Named after the motorised carts that whiz around the nearby fish market, this is where we had one of the best coffees during our trip. Gary found this tiny, laneway gem.

Ate pizza

There is a craze for authentic Neapolitan pizza in Tokyo at the moment. The prosciutto pizza was excellent at the knockabout Pizzeria e Trattoria da ISA, while the very correct L’antica Pizzeria da Michele only serves two types of pizza on its beautiful puffed and blistered bases, the only choice being whether to have mozzarella on the tomato sauce or not.

Ate junk food

I love checking out the junk food wherever I go and Japan has some great stuff. They love white bread katsu (pork schnitzel) sandwiches with barbecue sauce. But a standout was a snack reminiscent of Cheezels but flavoured with pollack roe – think taramasalata Cheezels. Less impressive was a bag of popcorn that had cheese and caramel flavours mixed in the same packet.

Drank miso

As well as selling a dizzy selection of miso pastes from all over Japan, the 80-year-old Sano Miso also has a tiny kitchen out the back making delicate bowls of the broth. George and I had a bowl each while I am sure it was Gary who ordered the French toast with ice cream and miso caramel. He may debate this.

Shopped for food

You learn a lot about a country’s food from shopping where the locals shop, whether it’s the earthy fruit and veg on sale at United Nations University Farmers Market or the swanky food hall in the basement of the Isetan department store, where you’ll find giant apples at $10 a pop, stunning fish and meat and the teeniest tomatoes you’ve ever seen. They are smaller than a toddler’s thumbnail.

Click here to view Matt’s exclusive Tokyo photo album.