Tokyo Food Page Restaurant Listings

Takadanobaba (west side)

Himonoya (Izakaya). 3362-8081

This cozy izakaya specializes in himono (grilled dried fish), with a big menu of different varieties from around Japan. There's also plenty of good good regional sake. Budget around Y2-4000 per person. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 4-11-8, 2F. Open 5pm-4am daily.

Couscous (African). 3368-3022

There are just a handful of dishes on the menu, none very authentic but all tasty and inexpensive. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 4-13-12. (on Waseda-dori, just past the post office) Open 5-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Rajput (Pakistani). 3360-8372

You can specify one of seven levels of spiciness when you order the curries here, but be warned that even the mid-levels are seriously hot. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 4-13-12. (on Waseda-dori, just past the post office) Open 11:30am-3, 5-10:30pm (LO) daily.

Takadanobaba (east side)

Ben's Cafe (Cafe). 3202-2445

A friendly, comfortable cafe with great coffee, excellent baked goods from Kyle's in Nakano, and bagels with lox. They also have plenty of special events during the week, including live music and go lessons. The art on the walls changes every two weeks. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-29-21. Open 11am-11pm daily.

Garlic Chips (Bar). 3232-1490

Late-night cocktails, jazz, light meals, and garlic chips in a relaxed neighborhood bar. Some outdoor seating. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-31-8. (to get there turn right from Takadanobaba station, turn right again and go up the hill past Big Box, keep walking for 5 minutes, then turn right again just before Suwa-dori - it'll be on the left) Open 5pm-3am. Closed Sundays.

Milestone (Bar). 3200-4513

A neighborhood hangout with jazz on the sound system, dim sum, Chimay beer and cocktails. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-23-9. Open 1pm-midnight daily.

Bunryu (Italian). 3208-5447

Nicely prepared food in a modest basement coffee-shop setting. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-26-5, FI Bldg, B1F. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

Asian Road (Retail). 5155-6528

Thai and Vietnamese groceries and magazines; they also hold cooking and vegetable carving classes. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-17-9.

Flattoria (Italian). 3205-9182

Part of the Fealteria complex, this casual restaurant offers solid Italian fare, including pizzas, in an unpretentious, smoke-free dining room. Prix-fixe dinners are Y2100-5200. Weekday lunches run Y1000-3000, including several "salad lunches"; weekends are a bit fancier, from Y1500-3500. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-25-30. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5:30-9:30pm (LO) daily.

Cotton Club (Bar). 3207-3369

Late-night cocktails and snacks, with jazz in the background. Terrace seating is available on the first and second-floor cafe areas. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-17-14. Open 6pm-5am daily.

Punyan (Cat Cafe). 3203-7441

If you're in the mood to snuggle up to a sleeping kitty, this seriously chill cat lounge is the place for you. Billowy Southeast Asian fabrics hang from the ceiling, filtering the light, while soothing music plays in the background. It's Y1000 for the first hour (Y300 for another 30 minutes) plus one drink. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-17-16, Star Plaza 6F. Open 11am-8pm daily.

Jalala (Cat Cafe). 6380-3325

Get ready for romper-room feline fun - high-speed chases, tails whipping through the air - at this lively spot in Takadanobaba. The cafe's second branch (the original Neko Jalala is in Akihabara) houses twelve friendly kitties, who are allowed to roam free at all hours: cages are nowhere in sight. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Takadanobaba 1-6-15, Arai Bldg 4F. Open noon-7:30pm (LO) daily.

Nong Inlay (Burmese). 5273-5774

A hole-in-the-wall bar serving Shan-style cuisine. To drink, they have Shan-Iei, a strong (50-proof) reddish-brown liquor with a sweet flavor reminiscent of an herbal remedy. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Takadanobaba 2-19-7. Open noon-midnight daily.

Toriyoshi (Yakitori). 3205-3394

Spicy chicken wings, yakitori and Nagoya miso specialties. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 2-18-6. Open 5-11pm (LO) daily.

Taverna (Italian). 3232-1997

Well-prepared Roman-style food at budget-friendly prices. Start off dinner with three selections from the extensive tapas display, then explore the pastas and main entrees, which include several good veal dishes. There's also an above-average dessert menu that includes several tasty homemade sherbets. Seating is mostly at the large wrap-around counter. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 2-15-10. Open 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Ruby (Burmese). 3204-5121

Good Burmese food and ambitiously multi-lingual karaoke in Burmese, Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. The menu also includes Malaysian-style dishes like satay. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Takada 3-11-18, TTA Bldg. B1F. Open 11:30am-2:30, 5pm-mid. (5am weekends) daily.

Big Land's Tree (Singaporean). 5272-8819

Inexpensive Chinese-Singaporean cuisine in a brightly lit noodle-shop setting. Dumplings seem to be the specialty here, with especially good sui-gyoza. There are also interesting original dishes like the flavorful and crunchy Singapore lemon chicken and the fantastic ebi-yuba harumaki (shrimp and tofu-skin spring rolls). Even the Coca-cola-stewed chicken has its charms. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 2-14-16. Open 11:30am-2, 5-11pm. Closed Sundays.

Mingalaba (Burmese). 3200-6961

A very casual, home-style restaurant with many Burmese customers. You can assemble a hearty meal or a light snack from the extensive menu of small dishes - some 50 appetizers, salads, meat dishes, noodle items and desserts, most priced in the Y500-900 range. The food is nicely seasoned without being too fiery, with very distinctive flavors - coconut cream sauces, lots of garlic, northern Burmese pickles, and plenty of spices. Lunch is Y750, dinner in the Y1,700-3,000 range. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Takadanobaba 2-14-8, NT Bldg. 3F. Open 11:30am-3, 5-11pm (LO) daily.

Intro (Jazz kissaten). 3200-4396

An old-fashioned "jazz kissa" where you can nurse your drink and nod your head to the music for hours on end. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 2-14-8, NT Bldg. B1F. Open noon-midnight daily.

Kao Tai (Thai). 3204-5806

Although sometimes good, the food quality varies remarkably from visit to visit. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 2-14-6. Open 11:30am-2, 5-10pm (LO) daily.

L'Amitie (French). 5272-5010

Perfect for a dignified yet unpretentious lunch or dinner date, this tiny dining room serves the best traditional French cuisine in the neighborhood, a bit of Paris's Latin Quarter in Takadanobaba. Service is prompt and cheerful, and there is an affordable prix fixe lunch (Y1200) and dinner (Y2000) with over a dozen appetizers and main courses to choose from. [See FULL REVIEW.][feedback]

Takadanobaba 2-9-12. Open noon-1:30, 6-10pm (LO). Closed Mondays, some Tues.

Tetulia (Indian). 5285-8522

Great curries and a big take-out menu. [feedback]

Takadanobaba 2-5-20. Open 11am-11pm daily.

Ezogiku (honten) (Ramen). 3208-1915

State-of-the-art Hokkaido-style miso ramen. There are sometimes lines even at 2am, but they move pretty quickly. [feedback]

Nishi-Waseda 2-20-5. (Meiji-dori 2 min. south of Waseda-dori.) Open 11-4am daily.

Ezogiku (Waseda-dori-ten) (Ramen). 3202-9157

Slightly less crowded than the main shop, this branch is just around the corner on Waseda-dori, just east of Meiji-dori. [feedback]

Nishi-Waseda 3-21-18. Open 11-4am daily.

Tinun Taikoku Ramen (Thai). 3202-1865

Great, cheap noodles and crowds of Waseda students. Noodles are available in several different thicknesses and styles. [feedback]

Nishi-Waseda 2-18-25. Open 11am-1am daily.

Sawamoto (Liquor shop). 3202-6632

A good selection of imported beers and liquors. [feedback]

Nishi-Waseda 3-13-1. (On south side of Waseda-dori, 12 minutes from Takadanobaba station (towards Waseda).) Open 10am-9pm daily.

Waseda

Mae Yao (Misc. Southeast Asian). 5273-3770

Flavorful Thai and Indian-style curries; the two-curry set includes a yogurt drink. Popular with Waseda students. [feedback]

Babashitacho 18-9, Akiyama Bldg 2F. Open 11-3:30, 4:30-9 (Sat. to 8). Closed Sundays.

Okubo

Mahathir (Malaysian). 3367-3121

Authentic Malaysian curries and satays. [feedback]

Hyakunincho 1-17-10. Open 11:30am-1am daily.

Halleluyah (Korean). 3200-0112

Very authentic Korean home-style cooking, including a lot of hearty winter stews. [Go to branch review] [feedback]

Hyakunincho 1-5-6. Open noon-2pm, 5-midnight (LO; -1am Sundays). Open every day.

Nikko Market (Retail). 3209-0372

A good place to buy ingredients for Chinese and various Southeast Asian cuisines -- they stock canned goods, fresh noodles, Thai curries, and spices, with a freezer full of dumplings, fish and desserts. (Be sure to check the dates on their frozen items.) [feedback]

Okubo 1-15-12. Open 10am-1am daily.