One of the many esteemed goals at our school is international-mindedness, a given for a school that brings together students from forty-seven nations. We relate this mindset back to an awareness of the news, politics, and history. But the simplest start is through food!
Luckily, ISSH students have four food trucks conveniently located near our school, offering international cuisine from four different countries: Spain, Mexico, Southern Europe, and England. These various shops broaden views on the world, while also spreading the joy of sharing these dishes with your kith and kin. Bon appétit!
SPAIN:
Atrevío Jamón Car
Atrevío Jamón Car spreads their motto, “Find Your Spain,” humbly from a street corner in Hiroo Shotengai. Its menu, however, is the opposite of humble: “Atrevío Jamón” translates directly to “Bold Ham,” “Daring Ham,” and is inspired by traditional Spanish dishes that will leave lasting impressions on your palate.
One of their most creative offerings is the “Boca Shokupan.” Inspired by the Spanish sandwich bocadillo, it swaps the classic baguette for soft Japanese sliced bread, making it more accessible while still staying true to its roots. A clever fusion of both Spain and Japan, all in one bite.
Their specialty is Jamón Ibérico, sourced from the Iberian black pig native to southern Spain. The ham is delicately sliced, with a rich flavor that immediately elevates any dish it accompanies.
On our visit, we ordered the fresh tomato and Jamón Ibérico bocadillo along with a side of patatas bravas, (a Spanish delicacy consisting of fried potatoes served with spicy paprika sauce). The fillings combined leafy greens, cherry tomatoes, and the dry-cured Spanish ham. For those of you with differing tastes, Atrevio Jamon offers numerous fillings beyond pan cotta tomato: honey peach, truffle cream, or wagyu steak, which can also be found on their main menu. The bocadillo was simple but beautifully balanced. The sweetness and acidity of the fresh tomato cut through the ham’s savory depth, while the bread remained soft without becoming soggy. A heavier, more filling recommendation would be the bravas. The patatas bravas were crisp on the outside and buttery mashed potatoes inside, paired with a spicy sauce.
Atrevío Jamón’s bocadillos range from 1,500 – 2,000 yen, while sides start at 800 yen. The bocadillo itself is quite enjoyable; however, our final recommendation would be to try the sides, particularly the 600 yen patatas bravas for a more affordable snack.
Affordability: 6/10
Taste: 7.5/10
Service Speed: 5 minutes
WESTERN EUROPE:
Cáfe Appassionato
A truck is situated right across the renowned Truffle Bakery: it is where Cafe Apassionato spreads the warmth of their Southern European treats and drinks. The truck cafe greets customers with hot crepes, soups, and sandwiches, and offers a variety of drinks to accompany the light meals.
We ordered two items that would make a perfect breakfast or snack combination for readers to try: a warm, toasted butter-cinnamon crepe with an iced oatmeal latte on the side. Although the wait was a bit long, there were seats next to the truck where the crepe and latte were kindly delivered.
Starting off with the crepe: it was unlike the famous puffy ones sold in places such as the ones on Takeshita Street, and more like a galette, flat and crisp. A crunchy bite from its edge slowly led to the softer crepe fabric toppled over, revealing hot butter and the sugary taste of cinnamon. The ice oatmeal latte on the side easily equaled Starbucks’ drinks, as it wasn’t watery and had the faintest and sweetest taste of oat.
The light meal combination was energizing, and there were many other potential drink-and-treat combos you may want to try: salmon avocado sandwich with fresh banana juice, Nutella s’mores crepe with cafe latte, tuna cheese crepe with drip coffee. Other combos are for you to discover!
Affordability: 7/10
Taste: 8/10
Service Speed: 7 minutes
MEXICO:
440 Broadway
The plain truck parked near National Azabu is home to 440 Broadway, the longest-standing of the food trucks. A hearty take-out service, pungent with the smell of spices, grilled tomatoes, and cheese, it dishes out Tex-Mex (Mexican infused with Texan traditions) and offers a choice of fillings, such as bean or pork, creating a very well-rounded menu for customers.
We ordered a pork taco for 500 yen. The tortilla was laid flat topped with generous amounts of shredded pork, along with diced onions and a hint of cilantro and lime on the side. As we used our hands to wrap the corn tortilla around the filling and bit into it, the filling crumbled and melted into the soft taco. The slightly sweet and savoury shredded pork was balanced well with the sour notes of onion and the lime on the side. Considering its price, the dish greatly exceeded our expectations.
There was also the pork quesadilla that we ordered for 1,000 yen. The thick outer blanket of the quesadilla broke into the soft yet textured ingredients of the filling: avocado paste, hot cheese, and spicy shredded pork. To our delight, the cheese pulled out satisfyingly as we took out the bite. This hot dish is a must-buy from 440 Broadway. It is perfectly balanced in terms of structure and flavor, and absolutely delicious.
440 Broadway also offers many more dishes such as nachos, guacamole and chips, burrito bowls that we would like you readers to set out and try– and we guarantee you will be delighted by this Tex-Mex truck.
Affordability: 7/10
Taste: 10/10
Service Speed: 5 minutes
UNITED KINGDOM:
The Deep Fried Union
Next to the famous 440 Broadway sits a smaller, more rustic truck called The Deep Fried Union. We urge you readers to visit, as it may not be there for long. The parking area is determined by National Azabu and rotates according to their monthly schedule, which you can find on Facebook by clicking here. The truck offers the classic British favorites: Fried onion rings, and fish n’ chips. We asked for one order of the classic fish n’ chips. (In fact, we were surprised by the owner offering us free onion rings– hoorah!)
The carton was packed with long fries with the crisply fried fish. Perfectly salted, the fries truly brought out the gritty but beautiful spirit of the UK. Next, the onion rings. Inside the ring lay the sweet onion that had softened into a warm, almost melty texture. As we bit into the crust, the crispness of the batter, mixed with the sweetness of the onion, created a perfect harmony.
Finally, we tried the star of the show: the fried fish. The contrast of the soft interior and crunchy exterior made every bite extraordinarily satisfying.
The Hokkaido Fish-n-Chips is especially ideal for those curious to see how Japanese flavors are incorporated into British classics, as well as for British students wanting to compare the tastes of home with Japan’s adaptation.
Prices at The Deep Fried Union range from 400 yen for a sweet red-bean bun to 1,200 yen for a full order of fish and chips. In the end, the Hokkaido Fish-n-chips benefits outweigh the costs thanks to the quality, portion size, and friendly service.
Affordability: 7/10
Taste: 8/10
Service Speed: 5-7 minutes
While we often think of internationalization through politics, news, or discussions, it can also start from something as joyful as food. Hiroo itself reflects this global spirit, from our favorite classics to new additions like the recently opened Donor Kebab Shop and coffee shop Prime Five.
These international food trucks are portals to other parts of the world, letting us ISSH students taste and appreciate international flavors, as they help celebrate our diverse, intellectually curious community and can inspire us to become more interculturally aware.
