Hyperlocal Tokyo

I dined here on a weekday evening. I ordered the Asakusa course (¥8,250 including tax). I also ordered a lot of drinks, so the bill definitely exceeded ¥10,000, but I was treated to this meal, so I won't worry about it (laughs). The food and drinks came out at a reasonable pace. The flavors were delicious and varied. At the end of the meal, the waiter asked, "Would you like tea soba or grated yam rice?" I opted for the lighter tea soba, but after seeing what my companions ordered, I realized the grated yam rice was the better choice. If you visit this restaurant, I highly recommend the grated yam rice. Note that it's a generous portion. They had a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, but they also offered unique soft drinks like orange, grape, and apple juice, which kept things interesting.

This is a famous restaurant known for its mugitoro (wheat and yam). It's a popular spot, so lunch is usually crowded, but when I visited for dinner, it was quite empty. The exterior and interior both have a charming atmosphere, and it's a very relaxing place to spend time. The signature mugitoro rice is simple and healthy, with the gentle sweetness of the barley rice and the fluffy softness of the yam complementing each other perfectly. The croquettes with yam are also delicious, with a crispy crust hiding a smooth, creamy yam filling. The beef tongue was also flavorful and delicious. The price seemed a bit high for the quality, but it was nice to experience the atmosphere of this long-established restaurant, which embodies the history and culture of Asakusa.

I happened to be passing by, so I decided to visit. It was just about lunchtime, so I went to the lunch buffet on the top floor. It's ¥3,300 including tax for 80 minutes, and there are table seats and counter seats by the window. I think the variety and quantity of food are sufficient, and the service was polite. The taste was also excellent. It was just grated yam, but it tasted different from what I usually eat. I later learned that they also have a lunch buffet on the first floor, but it's half the price and has fewer dishes. If you're going to go, I think it's nice to enjoy the view from the top floor and indulge a little.

I went there for lunch on a weekday. As expected, there was a wait. The grated yam (tororo) all-you-can-eat was great. They explained to me that I should order a small portion of rice and pile on the grated yam, and I ended up getting refills three times. The meal came with one side dish, miso soup, egg roll, and pickles. The side dish was a bit short on supply at one point, but they quickly replenished it, and I was able to enjoy more. I definitely want to go back again. It was delicious!

There are buffets on the 1st and 3rd floors, but the offerings differ. The 1st floor has barley rice porridge, pork miso soup, and a few side dishes. It feels a bit sparse, but the price is low, so it's recommended for those who want to focus on the barley rice porridge. The 3rd floor has a wider variety of food and a nice view, so it's recommended for those who want to try a lot of different things.