Hyperlocal Tokyo

A restaurant holding a significant position among Ginza's Western-style eateries, where you can savor history, the "original," and the "birth of Meiji." It's a place worth visiting at least once for the sake of experience. I visited "Renga-tei" in Ginza for a business meeting. It became a hot topic last March when Prime Minister Kishida and President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea had dinner there. It's a famous restaurant, but it's strange that I've never been there before, despite having eaten and drunk so much in Ginza. I entered the restaurant and went up to the second floor. It was almost full during lunchtime. I sat in the window seat at the very back, which I had reserved, and "Meiji Birth Omurice"... was ordered by a member of my group, so I ordered the "Original Hayashi Rice." Incidentally, the omurice is 2,700 yen, and the Hayashi rice is 3,200 yen, which is a price that's quite high even for Ginza! The Hayashi rice, served after about 20 minutes, was quite dark, a dark brown. The first impression when I took a bite was a bitter flavor. The rich, flavorful gravy was delicious. This is the original Hayashi rice. I don't eat Hayashi rice very often, so I don't have a sample to compare it to. Looking back, I think I've only eaten it about 10 times in the past. Comparing it to the Hayashi rice I've eaten in the past from my limited experience, I think it's definitely one of the best. Overall, I feel that it's a place to savor history, the "original," and the "birth of Meiji" rather than just the taste. If you're looking for Western-style food in Ginza, I highly recommend "Mikawaya" in the Mitsukoshi department store. It's also expensive, but the quality of the familiar Western-style food is clearly different. Different restaurants prioritize different things, so it's important to understand what they prioritize before you visit. This will ensure that you get what you pay for in terms of cost and time. This restaurant has many important points, so if you have the opportunity to visit Ginza, I recommend giving it a try.

It's quite pricey, so it's recommended to check the menu beforehand and be sure of the prices before entering. I waited for the opening on a holiday at a little past 5 pm. I was the second group. At 5:30 pm, there were only six groups waiting, so it seems you don't need to wait for the opening even on weekends. There was no line at all when I left around 6 pm. The Hayashi rice was fragrant and delicious. It's a completely different taste from commercially available roux, so I understand why some people might think it's burnt. There was a lot of meat in big chunks. The omelet rice had ground meat instead of chicken rice. All the dishes we ordered were served almost simultaneously. The air conditioning was very strong and cold, so I asked the staff to turn it down, and they responded immediately.

The original omurice. Rice and egg are mixed and cooked in a pan to form a shape. This is truly a classic that's come full circle. There used to be one in Kameido (a branch? I think). It's nostalgic. I hope this restaurant and its taste remain forever.

My first lunch in Ginza ✨️ I went in thinking it was just a regular coffee shop, but I was surprised by the prices on the menu. It was much higher than I expected, so I couldn't help but be a little conscious when ordering, but I guess it's justified considering the location. I ordered the omurice, and the egg was fluffy and the ketchup rice wasn't too strong, it was elegant and made me feel happy. I also tried the pork cutlet, and the meat was so tender, it was the best I've ever had! The pork cutlet and crab cream croquettes looked delicious too, so I'd like to try them next time I visit. It was a luxurious experience at a charming coffee shop.

A retro brick building, Rengatei. Founded 128 years ago, Rengatei is said to be the first "Western-style restaurant" in Japan. Some of the standard dishes served at Western-style restaurants are said to have originated at Rengatei. I ordered the original pork cutlet, hamburger, and Meiji Birth Omelette. Personally, I really enjoyed the Meiji Birth Omelette. It was a classic-looking omelette with mushrooms, ground meat, and onions inside. The seasoning seemed to use soy sauce, giving it a slightly Japanese flavor, and it was delicious. There were a few other dishes that caught my eye, so I'd like to visit again when I'm craving Western food.