photo by tabelog
There are plenty of restaurants in Tokyo which are loved by the locals for the reasonable prices and great dishes they offer. This article particularly focuses on the eateries which have their own unique rules. In those places, the tacit agreements among the regular customers create unique atmosphere. Even after managing to order carefully adhering to the rules, you may still feel unsure while eating. However, the food served there is exquisite indeed. If you wish to immerse yourselves in such dining experience, then do read on to find more details.
Motsuyaki “Uchida” | Tateishi, Katsushika-ku
“Uchida”, famous for its motsuyaki (grilled giblets), has been so popular that it even has a fan-created website. There is uniquely tense atmosphere created by the regular customers, but the dishes offered here are absolutely brilliant. You need to learn several rules before you visit this place.
The rules at Uchida
- No smoking.
- Only taking photos of food is allowed.
- Stack up the plates as you finish eating.
- You can order up to 5 glasses of drink.
- Customers who are already drunk are not allowed to enter.
- The way to order is so complicated.
- Don’t stay unnecessarily long. (Leave once you finish eating.)
- You cannot book a table.
The way to order is too difficult for foreigners to master, so just remember to say “Osusume Sanzen-yen de (3,000 yen-worth of the dishes of the day please)” in Japanese. Once you place an order, wait for old guys and members of staff who would help you out.
A must-order item: Tongue Nama (Raw Toungue)
You have to try “Tongue Nama” if you visit Uchida. This is a rare item on the menu which is likely to sell out within 2 hours. They have two types: “boiled” (cooked-through) and “Akai tokoro” (medium rare reddish part). (The latter is shown in the photo above.)
Uchida
Nakamise Shotengai, 1-18-8 Tateishi Katsushika-ku, Tokyo
Weekdays 14:00~, Saturday 12:00~ (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
※ They close as they ran out of the ingredients of the day.
Motsuyaki “Yoneyama” | Akabane, Kita-ku
“Yoneyama” is considered to be a legendary eatery in Akabane, the mecca of bars. The name of this place always comes up whenever you hear about motsuyaki (grilled giblets) restaurants. It is not unusual for the customers to queue for more than an hour. They serve food in two rounds (customers can stay for one round only) so whether you can get a table in the first round or not decides your evening. Of course, there is a series of unique rules.
The rules at Yoneyama
- Food is served in two rounds, 18:15~ and 20:30~. Customers can stay for one round only.
- Order is taken only once (No additional orders).
- Write down your order on a piece of paper as you enter. Place the paper on the counter.
- They start cooking after all the orders are made (If you take longer to decide your order, all other customers will be affected).
- You can order drinks as you eat.
- The minimum order for skewered dishes is two pieces.
- Choose the garnish from either ginger or garlic.
- Flavour your food using the spices on the table.
- Make sure to order some side dishes which are not on the grill (Otherwise you need to wait for 45 minutes until the grill is ready).
- You cannot book a table.
The duration of your stay is limited because of the round system. Decide what you would like to order while you are in the queue so that you won’t trouble other customers.
A must-order item: Tsukune (Meatball)
“Tsukune” (Meatball) is the must-order item in Yoneyama. They usually sell out during the first round.
Yoneyama
1-64-7 Akabane, Kita-ku, Tokyo
18:15~24:00 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)
Gyoza “Kameido Gyoza Honten” | Kameido, Koto-ku
If you happen to be in Kameido, you should visit “Kameido Gyoza Honten”. Yaki gyoza (fried dumplings), which is now a Japanese soul food, is served only at 250 yen per plate. There is always a queue in front of the restaurant and they call it a day once they run out of the ingredients.
The rules at Kameido Gyoza Honten
- The only food menu is “yaki gyoza (fried dumplings)”. (They have a variety of drinks.)
- They even do not serve a bowl of rice. (Again, the only food menu is gyoza.)
- You should order at least 2 sets of gyoza per person.
- You place an order for drinks only. (They keep serving you more gyoza as you finish one.)
- Flavour your gyoza using the spices on the table.
- They close as they run out of the ingredients.
A must-order item: Gyoza (Dumplings)
There is no choice since yaki gyoza is the only food menu on offer. It is a must-order item and the only item you could possibly eat here. As a gyoza specialist they could serve other types of gyoza such as boiled gyoza, but they never compromise on this single item on the menu.
Kameido Gyoza Honten
5-3-4 Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo
11:00~18:30 (Open every day)
※ They close as they ran out of the ingredients of the day.
Gyunikomi “Kappa” | Komazawa, Setagaya-ku
It takes 13 minutes’ walk from Komazawa University Station to get to “Kappa”. This is a hidden gem, discreetly located in the residential quarter. You might not notice that this is an eatery unless you are in the know.
The rules at Kappa
- As you take a seat, you will be served a medium bowl of gyunikomi (beef stew).
- Other menus are a bowl of rice (S, M, L) and pickles (100 yen).
- You can ask for a second.
- No drinks are served.
- No chatting allowed.
You can have a chat at the volume which does not trouble other customers; however, you may not dare to talk as everyone is eating their food in silence.
A must-order item: Gyunikomi (Beef stew)
This restaurant also does not have a choice of menu but gyunikomi. The restaurant was opened 65 years ago and now the business has been handed down to the third generation. This place has a number of faithful fans who revisit regularly.
Kappa
5-24-8 Komazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
17:00~0:30 (Closed on Thursdays and the 3rd Wednesday of the month)
Conclusion
The hospitality offered in Japanese service industry is acclaimed to be brilliant, but the places featured in this article are a sort of the opposite. The reason why they remain popular amongst the local customers may be because of their uncompromising attitude to offer the best food, if not the best hospitality. When you visit one of these places, be prepared to confront their unyielding mind.
