Machi Koro 2, from Pandasaurus Games, has become a staple in our household. This game successfully builds on the strengths of the original Machi Koro and enhances them in this updated edition. However, it’s worth noting that Machi Koro 2 is not compatible with the original Machi Koro or its expansions. (Read about the original Machi Koro HERE.)
In Machi Koro 2, 2-5 players work to build their own unique city. Each game typically lasts around 45 minutes, depending on the number of players. Players earn coins through various establishments and aim to complete their city by constructing three landmarks before their opponents. Strategic decisions are key, as choosing and paying for establishments and landmarks can also impact other players.
Setup is straightforward:
- Divide the cards into three piles: Establishments 1-6, Establishments 7-12, and Landmarks.
- Shuffle and place each pile facedown on the table where all players can see them.
- Draw cards from each deck to create rows with five unique cards. If a duplicate card is drawn, add it to the row with the existing card.
- Each player starts with 5 coins.
- Determine the starting player, and proceed clockwise.
Initial Building Rounds: During the initial rounds, players use their coins to build starter establishments in their city. They can choose to spend all 5 coins or save some for later. When a slot in the middle is emptied, it must be replaced with a unique card. Players may build only one establishment per round or choose to pass. If a player cannot afford an establishment, they must pass their turn.
Gameplay: On each turn, players roll one or two dice, earn income based on their cards, and build by spending coins on new establishments or landmarks. The game continues until one player has constructed three unique landmarks and wins!
Machi Koro 2 is easy to set up and play. It includes game flow cards for each player to help maintain smooth gameplay. The artwork features charming illustrations reminiscent of the original Machi Koro, with cute building designs. I particularly enjoyed the sushi bars with their bamboo garden illustrations. The replayability of Machi Koro 2 is excellent; with multiple strategies and ever-changing cards, no two games are the same.
This game comes highly recommended from my household. It’s J’s favorite board game to date and appeals to both strategic and casual gamers. It’s engaging enough for serious play but light enough to enjoy with cocktails and snacks in under an hour. I hope you get a chance to check out Machi Koro 2 from Pandasaurus! If you would like to order your own copy of Machi Koro 2 CLICK HERE
Machi Koro 2 Themed Dinner
The Food
When we decided on Machi Koro 2 for a game night, I was delighted to be able to revisit Japanese cuisine which was one of the first cuisines I learned when I first decided to teach myself how to really cook. Japanese food has been a favorite of mine since high school, and I was gifted a wok one that came with a great instruction book that spelled out the key to a killer fried rice.
We had some options – I could certainly go back to basics with such a rice dish, but felt that might be too simple. I also considered a noodle stir fry but felt this might stray too far into Asian fusion than purely Japanese. Then it hit me – ah, ramen, of course!
I hadn’t done a vegetarian ramen before, a challenge I was excited to take on. And one of my favorite aspects of ramen is the plethora of toppings you can have. And boy, did we!
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Machi Koro night was easily the most complex meal I’d thrown together for a game dinner and spent pretty much the whole day working on it. But trust me – it was worth every minute!
The broth was a miso-mushroom base, with a touch of liquid smoke to help mimic the complex smoky flavor of pork ramen. For toppings we had the works: sautéed black fungus, bean sprouts, marinated egg, corn, wakame (seaweed), grilled veggies, and crispy tofu. For seasoning we had furiake, dried shallots, green onion, and crispy chili.
Our appetizers included blistered shishito peppers and summer rolls (I know, I know… not Japanese but so delicious). And for dessert we opted for mochi ice cream.
The Cocktail
I knew i wanted to include Sake in our Japanese-centric game night, and also already had a soft pink cherry blossom gin in our cabinet. I decided I wanted to run with the sakura base so I also made a sweetener using cherry blossom powder and simple syrup. This helped to brighten the color as well as enhance the sakura flavor. The main mixer was club soda, and I used edible glitter and flowers for decoration, making a sparkly, sweet and floral cocktail.
After going through a few name ideas, we settled for Sakura Senshi Fizz, a nod to Sailor Moon, one of my first and favorite Japanese anime of all time.
Recipe
- 1 oz sake
- 1 oz cherry blossom gin (0 proof gin or skip for mocktail)
- 5 oz club soda, flavorless
- 1/2 oz cherry blossom syrup
- Edible flowers & food-grade glitter, for decoration (optional, but highly recommended)
- Add the sake, gin, and syrup to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds.
- Pour over ice, and add the club soda.
- Add the glitter and give the drink a quick stir to incorporate into the drink
- Top with a few springs of edible flowers, and serve immediately
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