Visited around 11:10 on a rainy Sunday. There were two groups ahead of me. The croquette costs 161 yen. Although this place is a butcher shop, their fried food is also popular. Making croquettes yourself is a hassle, and when dining out, you tend to be distracted by other items, so you don't often get the chance to eat them. However, for some reason, I always feel like having croquettes at this shop. The crispy coating goes without saying, but the filling is also very delicious. It's filled with plenty of minced meat along with potatoes, and you can taste the savory flavor of the meat. It truly is a butcher's croquette. I think the reason why the potatoes aren't dry is because of the meat fat. It's best to eat them fresh as the coating can get soggy over time.

In Nishi-Ogikubo, after having lunch and tea time and visiting some pastry and bakery shops, I decided to buy dinner at "Kokeshiya" where I also spotted another interesting place called "Takaraya Gyutan-ten." It's a butcher shop located along Kichijoji-dori near Nishi-Ogikubo Station South Exit. They sell various deli items as well, and since I'm always drawn to butcher shop deli items, I decided to pick up a few. Their "Special Croquette" for 130 yen was filled with plenty of meat, and the delicious flavor of the meat seeped into the potatoes. The aroma of the oil was also delightful, and it was a tasty treat. The "Ham Cutlet" for 90 yen was a simple but delicious ham cutlet. There's just something special about deli items from a butcher shop, they always taste so good. I would love to try their minced cutlets and pork cutlets in the future!

South exit of Nishi-Ogikubo Station, through the arcade shopping street and turn left. A local butcher shop in town. I've been eating their fried food since I first moved to Tokyo. On weekends, it gets crowded and sometimes they run out quickly once it's fried, so depending on the timing, you might not be able to get it. In that case, you can make a reservation and come back in about thirty minutes to get it. Menchi katsu, chicken fillet fry for 170 yen each, one bite pork cutlet for 160 yen, croquette for 130 yen, and in this day and age, these prices are reasonable! I hope they will continue to be a popular local butcher shop at this price. My favorite is the thick menchi katsu, with a good volume and juicy meat juice, and the delicious coating here! It's a bit thick and crispy, with a nice texture! The high-quality meat wrapped in this coating is delicious. The chicken fillet is moist and tender, and the pork cutlet is also tender. It's especially delicious when it's freshly fried, so I'd like to buy it and eat it right away. I'm very satisfied with the volume, meat quality, and cost performance! By the way, I've never bought meat here, but I'm sure it's delicious. The kind owner and hardworking mother make me feel warm.

After enjoying a bowl of Kumamoto ramen at Higomonzu, we headed to our next stop for the night, "Takaraya Gyuniku-ten," for their croquettes. However, when we arrived, there were only a few items left in the showcase, with almost everything sold out. Unfortunately, they only had one tonkatsu and two ham cutlets available, no croquettes. The mature female staff informed us that they were running out of items. Disappointed, we ended up purchasing the ham cutlets and headed to Kinokuniya in Nishi-Ogikubo to grab some drinks. But there was no place to eat, so we had to resort to standing and drinking in front of the station with our ham cutlets. We opened a craft beer can we bought at Kinokuniya and toasted to each other. The ham cutlets, though cold, still had a delicious lard flavor to them. It was a unique experience of enjoying meat shop fried food. We quickly finished our drinks and headed to our next destination, with only 50 minutes left until the drinking party. It was a holiday schedule, so we were unsure if we would make it in time. To be continued...

After the second party at Higomonzu, the group took a break. Senpai had another event to attend, so Shino carefully selected a restaurant for them to visit. It was called Takaraya Gyukuten, a family-style restaurant, not a ramen shop. Senpai loves to eat, so this choice was perfect. When they arrived around 5 pm, many popular items like menchi-katsu and croquettes were already sold out. They settled for ham cutlets, which they received from a seasoned female employee. The packaging reminded them of the old days when buying meat at a butcher's shop. The restaurant has been in business for over 60 years. Despite being quite drunk, they didn't order any drinks and just ate the ham cutlets quietly. They then went to Kinokuniya at Nishi-Ogikubo Station to buy beer. They chose Sunsun beer and a Ponzu sake from KINOKUNIYA. They then sat at the edge of a flower bed near the bus stop at the north exit to relax. Nishi-Ogikubo used to be a place they visited often before Kurone Sakaba closed down. It was a hot day, so any beer would do. They sat down, with one heading east and the other heading west, like the old song by Yosui Inoue.

Nishi-Ogikubo is filled with delicious butcher shops. One of them is Takaraya, known for its tasty fried foods. If you head south from the station along the bus street, you'll reach a dead end where you turn left to find the shop, about a 3-minute walk from the station. I had heard good things about it and tried to visit several times, but it was closed each time. I thought maybe they had closed down. Recently, I started taking daily walks in the neighborhood, passing by the area around Nishi-Ogikubo station frequently. That's when I noticed Takaraya was finally open for business. One of the highlights of my walks is stopping by for a quick snack. I wanted to try their menchi (minced meat cutlet), but it was sold out. The fried items they had available were: One-bite pork cutlet for 160 yen, pork loin cutlet for 360 yen, tonkatsu for 260 yen, chicken fillet fry for 170 yen, croquette for 130 yen, menchi katsu for 170 yen, and ham cutlet for 90 yen. Unfortunately, the tonkatsu, menchi katsu, and pork cutlet were sold out at that time. I was tempted by the ham cutlet, which I had never tried before. So, I purchased one piece of ham cutlet. I unwrapped it outside the shop and took a bite. The thickly breaded ham had a substantial thickness to it, and it tasted surprisingly good. It was my first time trying a ham cutlet, and it had a nostalgic, old-fashioned feel to it. Quite enjoyable. On another day, I stopped by again during my walk, and even though it was earlier than last time, they only had one pork cutlet and one croquette left. I bought the croquette and ate it outside the shop. It had mashed potatoes with minced pork inside. It was delicious as well, more suitable as a side dish compared to the ham cutlet. Both items had a crispy, crunchy coating and still retained some warmth. The shop is run by an elderly couple, with the lady handling the fried foods. When the showcase was almost empty on my second visit, I asked what they were frying in the back. They said they still had menchi and tonkatsu to prepare, and if I waited 15 minutes, they would be ready. However, since I had already eaten the croquette, I decided to save it for another visit. It's good to have something to look forward to. I wanted to try the menchi katsu and write a review, but that will have to wait for next time.

Public holiday, waited until 12 o'clock for one order of ham cutlet: The batter was thick, and the ham was thin. Minced meat cutlet: Possibly the best minced meat cutlet I've had in the past. I wanted to eat croquette.

I often buy croquettes and minced meat cutlets on my way back from jogging. Both are delicious, but I prefer croquettes! There are always 5-6 people lined up. What I like most about this shop is that it is run by an elderly lady and her son or daughter, who work diligently and have a very pleasant demeanor!

Ham cutlet is the best. No croquettes or pork cutlets.

Menchi katsu and ham katsu are seriously delicious, and the croquette has a strong potato flavor. They are packed with flavor.

The ham cutlet is delicious.

When I went to Nishi-Ogikubo, I searched on Tabelog and found a meat shop that looked delicious, so I decided to stop by. I was interested in both the menchi katsu and croquette, but when I went on a weekday around 4 pm, they only had menchi katsu. When I mentioned that I wanted to eat it there, they asked me if I wanted sauce, which made me happy. The menchi katsu had a crispy coating and a nice texture. It was juicy and delicious. Personally, I think the price is reasonable and the food is delicious. Next time I go, I want to try the croquette that I couldn't have this time!

I went to Bingley to try the famous Katsu-don, but they were closed, so I ended up getting Menchi Katsu and croquettes from Takaraya near Nishi-Ogikubo station. I enjoyed the juicy beef Menchi Katsu and delicious croquettes in the car since I didn't have time for a proper meal.

[June 2016 revisit] I visited Nishi-Ogikubo after a long time, and couldn't resist stopping by this place. The unchanged appearance, the same care, and the unchanged taste! This time, I bought croquettes again. I wanted to buy some meat to take home, but I had other plans afterwards so I gave up. The meat looked very delicious as well. Croquettes and minced meat croquettes were already sold out by around 2 pm. There were a few ham cutlets left. It was hard to leave as I stared at the glass case with a desire to buy more, and then I was asked, "How many would you like?" They would fry them for me!! The joy of such moments... A boy about elementary school age was behind me. The boy was also asked, and he said, "One croquette!" Shops like this are rare these days, right? It reminded me of when I used to buy croquettes from a butcher on my way back from club activities in junior high, and I almost teared up. The smell would linger in the car, so I endured it. I slightly opened the poly bag in the car to let the moisture escape while driving back. This way, it avoids getting soggy. As a result, the car was filled with an irresistible aroma. Finally, when I got home, I ate one immediately. Has it gotten slightly bigger than before? And the amount of filling seems to have increased as well. The taste and aroma remain the same as before. The ingredients seem to have had most of the moisture removed, giving it a crispy texture. The beef is finely mixed with the potatoes. A faint beef aroma lingers throughout. The fact that it maintains the same taste and aroma probably means they are making improvements behind the scenes. It reminds me of what Harukiya in Ogikubo said, "In order to maintain the same taste, one must continue to evolve." The remaining croquettes were used as a snack with wine in the evening. I warmed them up in the microwave on the crispy setting. They were delicious! But, freshly fried would probably be the best. [March 2015 revisit] When I visited Hatsune, I suddenly felt like stopping by this place, so I did. It was still around noon, so there were plenty of croquettes, minced meat croquettes, ham cutlets, and other fried foods available. In fact, it seems like they keep frying while monitoring the remaining quantity during the day. On this day, I bought three croquettes and three ham cutlets, worrying about them getting cold as I took the train back home. They were still amazing! I wanted to save them for the evening to have with wine, but I didn't want them to get cold, so I enjoyed them without alcohol. The croquettes were as delicious as ever. The softness of the potatoes, the aroma of the finely minced beef, the crispy coating. And the ham cutlet! By chance, I had read an article about ham cutlets in a magazine at the bookstore and had a sudden craving. This was really delicious! Wait, something seemed slightly different this time - the outer color of the ham was slightly darker. Upon tasting it, there was a subtle aroma. This ham is not sold in the shop, so I don't think it was made by them, but it was truly delicious! Dancyu magazine mentioned that 6mm thickness is the most delicious, but when I measured this one, it was about 2mm. While it may be true that thicker cuts are tastier in some cases, I think it's a bit different. Ham cutlets are not just for eating ham; the delicious coating is what makes a ham cutlet. So, this 2mm thickness was delicious enough! This time, the slight aroma made me even more convinced that this would go well with wine. Next time, I'll have it with a daytime drink! Also, this ham cutlet was only 80 yen per piece. The croquettes were 120 yen each. I'm truly impressed. Thus, the desire for such a butcher near my home grows stronger. I can't help but imagine having a second home near Koenji from Nishi-Ogikubo... (bittersweet) ---------------------------------------------------------- A meat shop in a residential shopping street, operating since around 60 years ago in Nishi-Ogikubo, a town that has flourished since the opening of Nishi-Ogikubo Station in the 11th year of Taisho. I wonder when this shop opened in such a thriving residential area? I would like to visit directly next time, but I couldn't find any introduction page that seemed so old, with the number "60" written on it...

Nishiogi is known for its many meat shops, and Hokkeya is a beef shop as its name suggests. They only sell beef, specializing in this type of meat. One of their most delicious items is their menchi-katsu. Unlike regular menchi, the bread crumbs on this menchi-katsu are fine and thin, giving it an elegant touch. The three-dimensional shape, resembling a rugby ball, is filled with juicy beef. It's perfectly balanced, not greasy, but very satisfying. They also offer croquettes and ham katsu, but I always stick to the menchi-katsu here. Sometimes, they sell out of everything by late afternoon, showing how popular they are. The refined elderly lady who serves customers at the counter is also lovely. I hope this shop stays the same, not changing with the trends.

When I went to Nishi-Ogikubo for work, I entered a shop there. I discovered it while wandering around Nishi-Ogikubo Station. I bought a ham cutlet. I think it was around 85 yen for one during a time-limited offer. The ham was about 2mm thick. I thought the batter was quite thick as well. I believe the balance between the batter and ham was good.

[Location/Environment] This butcher shop is located straight ahead from Nishi-Ogikubo Station South Exit, and then turn left at the Nishi-Ogi Minami 2-chome intersection. [Ambiance/Customer Service] The shop stands alone with no other shops around. There is a sign that says "Special Select Wagyu" for rain protection, with a showcase underneath. The shop looks like a typical butcher shop. A man is cutting meat in the back, while a woman is in charge of sales. There are only a few prepared dishes in the showcase on the right side. Each price tag has words like "Service Item," "Special," and "Delicious" to promote the products. [Food] - Ham Cutlet: A typical round ham cutlet that is deep-fried. It is thin, but surprisingly satisfying in terms of volume. The thick batter and crispy texture, combined with the salty ham flavor, make it delicious. [Price/Menu] - Ham Cutlet: 70 yen each - Croquette: 110 yen - Minced Cutlet, Chicken Cutlet, and Bite-sized Cutlet: 150 yen each - Pork Cutlet: 250 yen - Pork Loin Cutlet: 350 yen - They also sell fresh meat. [Overall Impression] Considering the variety of meat products they offer, the prepared dishes seem more like bonus items.

Get off at Nishi-Ogikubo Station's south exit and walk through the arcade, then turn left when you come out. This street is called Shinmei-dori, and a little way down on the right side, you'll find "Houya Gyuniku-ten". The sign says "Houya" and looks a bit intimidating. I've been relying on their fried food for over 10 years now. My go-to items are the Menchi for 150 yen and the Katsu for 150 yen, which I buy as snacks for drinking at home. The Menchi is shaped like a rugby ball and is quite large. It's about the size of a toy hand grenade. Sorry for the obscure comparison. When I have it for lunch on a holiday, I sandwich it between slices of bread, but I really squish it down. Today, it's just a snack, so I pour on some Bull-Dog Sauce. According to their website, the official name of the sauce is Bull-Dog Sauce, but the Japanese name is "Bull-Dog". When you bite into it, it's not like the meat juice oozing out like at some family restaurants. When made normally, it doesn't do that. You need to add fat or do something special to get that effect. This is a meaty and flavorful snack. Usually, I'm full after half, but today I have a strong ally in Hoppy, so I can eat one whole piece. The Katsu doesn't have the same impact as the Menchi, but it's delicately delicious. I don't usually buy it as a side dish, but it goes well with Hoppy. It's a refined meat, so it's tasty with ponzu sauce. If possible, use grated ponzu. I couldn't find any in the fridge, so I ate it with sauce. Still tasty! Both items are 150 yen, but the Katsu is about a third to a quarter of the volume of the Menchi. This shows how much volume the Menchi has and how refined the meat in the Katsu is. Sorry, I'm getting quite drunk...

In the croquette world of Nishi-Ogikubo, "Takaraya" is the champion of the south exit, while the north exit is dominated by the famous "Toraya." Compared to "Toraya," the croquettes from "Takaraya" have a higher meat content. When you buy a croquette here, you can clearly taste the meat rather than just a hint of it. Lunchtime is the best time to visit, as they are in full production mode for various fried foods, making it easy to buy croquettes. For example, during cherry blossom season, you can buy freshly fried croquettes here and then head to "Matsuzushi" on the same Kichijoji-dori street to buy their batera, and enjoy them at Zenpukuji Park while riding a bike. You really don't need a bento box. The happiness and satisfaction from the croquette alone are enough. Although it should not be mentioned here, "Matsuzushi" is also a really great restaurant. While it is a legitimate butcher shop, I am evaluating it as a croquette shop. As for considering the croquette as a snack, it goes well with two 350ml cans of beer. It tastes delicious even without sauce.

On a Sunday afternoon, I rode my bike all the way to a Vietnamese restaurant for lunch, only to find it fully booked. So instead of searching for an alternative, I decided to visit one of the meat shops that I had been eyeing on Tabelog. It seemed to be run by a husband and wife, with the husband cutting meat with a machine and the wife handling customer service. I ordered one croquette and one minced cutlet from the fried food series on the right end of the display case. The wife was very friendly and likable. I looked around for a nearby park to eat, but couldn't find one, so I ended up sampling the food at the edge of the My Road shopping street. The croquette, with its thin crust, was crispy and delicious as expected, but I was especially impressed by the juicy and tender minced cutlet! Cheap and tasty~ I might go back again when I have some free time.