Kinshicho, it's been a while since I visited a Western-style restaurant that was featured on TV a long time ago. According to Tabelog, it seems like the restaurant has closed down. It's sad to see a place that left a good impression on me shut down. Anyway, let's look for a lunch spot. I explored behind the Marui building and found a dumpling shop in Kinshicho, even though it's actually in Kameido! I remember coming here before, and as usual, it's crowded. Continuing to wander around, I stumbled upon a lovely looking restaurant. Without hesitation, I went in. It was completely empty except for two women. They seemed surprised to see me. I ordered the pork sauté lunch. The interior of the restaurant had a nice atmosphere. When the pork sauté arrived, it looked a bit thin and the flavor was a bit weak. The side dishes like simmered daikon and miso soup were tasty, especially the rice. The main dish, the pork sauté, was a bit disappointing due to its thinness. I remembered a debate from a TV show about whether the main dish or the rice is more important in a set meal. In this case, the rice stood out, but the main dish fell short. However, when I tried the pork sauté with mustard on the side, it tasted delicious. The combination of pork and mustard is always a winner. I finished my meal feeling a bit unsatisfied, so I decided to grab a crepe from the shop next to Marui before heading home. That's it for today's meal!

Located in a corner behind WINS near the south exit of Kinshicho Station, this shop is run by two elegant elderly women. The tonkatsu served here is not like that of a specialty restaurant, but rather reminiscent of home-cooked food. It somehow evokes the taste of a mother's cooking. With simmered hijiki, pickles, and miso soup, it feels like you're enjoying a meal back at your parents' house. The atmosphere inside the shop is filled with a heartwarming feeling, where time seems to pass by gently.

Recently, I went to a tonkatsu restaurant located near Robin's. It has a cozy atmosphere that feels more like a small traditional Japanese restaurant. Although it's not listed on Tabelog yet, I found out that they are currently serving lunch. The Lunch Improvement Committee's review was very accurate, so there's not much more to add. The interior has a traditional Japanese feel with a clean and elegant touch. The two elegant ladies running the place are very friendly and seem to be good friends, which may be where they got the name of the restaurant from. The Lunch Improvement Committee mentioned that it was a bit pricey, but I've been there a few times and for a weekday lunch at 850 yen, it's actually quite reasonable. I sat at the counter and ordered the tonkatsu lunch for 850 yen. They didn't provide a wet towel, so I wish they had paper napkins or tissues available. They served warm tea. The tonkatsu was thinly sliced and lightly breaded. The breading wasn't too overpowering, and the seasoning was just right. It didn't have any strange smells, and for the price, it was pretty good. The meal also came with a homemade mayonnaise salad, shredded cabbage with dressing, pickles, and a small side dish. The side dish was grated daikon radish with a savory sauce, which was quite tasty. The only downside was that the tonkatsu was a bit thin, but considering the price and the additional side dishes, it was a decent meal. The sauce was slightly sweet but not too heavy, which was nice. This place seems like it could be more popular, but it's quite hidden away. Overall, it was a pleasant surprise to discover this restaurant.

This is a tonkatsu restaurant located at the south exit of Kinshicho Station. The exterior has a calm traditional Japanese atmosphere, but being in Kinshicho where there are off-track betting facilities, they broadcast horse racing on weekends. The interior is even more charming than the exterior, with a slightly old-fashioned yet well-maintained feel, giving off the vibe of a longstanding prestigious restaurant. There are counter seats facing the kitchen, two sunken tables, and a private room at the back, perhaps about six tatami mats in size. Despite the seemingly high threshold of the restaurant, the two elderly madams who run the place are surprisingly soft-spoken and polite. The menu is displayed on small strips of paper on the wall. The tonkatsu set is listed as 1,340 yen tax included, but when I paid after the meal, it was 1,400 yen. They showed me a detailed handwritten receipt, explaining that the main price was 1,270 yen with 130 yen being tax. The pricing and payment rules were a bit unclear, but I paid without questioning. I ordered the tonkatsu set (1,400 yen) and what arrived was a well-presented set with a plate, rice bowl, and small side dish. The tonkatsu itself was on the smaller side for the price. The breadcrumbs were fine and evenly coated. The oil was well-drained, resulting in a crispy texture. The seasoning with salt and pepper was evident in the taste. The meat quality seemed good, with a hint of sweetness in the fatty part on the edge. The sauce was a mysterious one, reminiscent of demiglace sauce but milder in flavor. It had a nice aroma but a mild taste with no strong acidity, sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness, and had a color similar to tonkatsu sauce. The cabbage was thinly shredded and dressed with French dressing. The pickles included homemade cucumber pickles and store-bought pickled radish, both with a subtle saltiness. The miso soup was made with homemade miso and tofu, with a refined taste. The rice was piping hot. During my visit, there were no other customers, so it felt like a private dining experience. Despite the charming atmosphere, the cleanliness of the interior, and the elegant service from the madams, the tonkatsu was moderately delicious. The only downside of this place is the pricing, which could be more affordable. It might be more satisfying to enjoy the ambiance with a drink and take your time rather than a quick meal.

On November 5, 2016, I planned to try the fresh pasta at a restaurant in the south exit, but it was full. So, I decided to explore new places in the south exit area. I couldn't find any good options until I stumbled upon a place with a sign saying "Oyakodon" and "Katsudon". It looked like a traditional Japanese izakaya with a long history. I ordered the Oyakodon without hesitation. When I asked for Oyster Fry as a side dish, they said they didn't have it today. The miso soup was served in a small bowl, which felt a bit lacking. The tofu in the miso soup was a nice touch. The Oyakodon was sweet, with a generous portion of chicken. It would have been easier to eat if the chicken pieces were smaller. The use of shredded seaweed on top was a fresh twist, as it's not common in modern Oyakodon. The atmosphere was a bit noisy with horse racing on TV, which I wasn't interested in. Overall, the south exit area didn't seem to suit my taste. I think the best options in that area would be Harahetta, Taiyo no Tomato Ramen, Goro-chan, and Ushi Hachi Sushi Zanmai.

Kinzicho Nakayoshi Top-notch Tonkatsu for 1440 yen. Exit Kinzicho Station South Exit, cross the signal towards Marui, enter the road on the right side of Marui (next to Aoyama clothing store), turn right at the first intersection, then left at the next intersection. Around 7:30 pm, there were no customers in front of the store, a bit scary. Inside the store, there is a bright and clean atmosphere with two friendly mothers welcoming guests. The counter is made of two boards put together, with four 4-person tatami rooms behind it, and additional private rooms further back. There is a red AQUOS TV in the tatami rooms. The menu is displayed on the wall. The meal includes cucumber, nametake mushrooms, tofu, miso soup with Mitsuba, rice, cabbage, and tonkatsu. The tonkatsu is served with lemon slices, mustard, and parsley. The cabbage is served with Thousand Island dressing. The rice is served in a large teacup, but it's too hot to hold. The miso soup is hot and delicious with the aroma of Mitsuba. The tonkatsu has a thin, crispy coating that sticks well to the meat, which is juicy and not too large. The meat is flavorful, with a slightly hard part near the edge. The sauce is on the salty side, similar to soy sauce, so it's best to eat the tonkatsu without it. Overall, the food is delicious, and the place seems to have regular customers, especially for drinking in the tatami rooms at night. Note: Closed on Tuesdays.

Having lunch in Kinshicho. The diner next to the JRA has disappeared, leaving me stranded for lunch. Luckily, I found a tonkatsu restaurant. I'm not usually one to choose tonkatsu, but I had no other options. The restaurant is surprisingly spacious inside. There is seating for about 8 people at the counter, and a few tables in the back. There also seems to be a tatami room. I ordered the "Jumbo Tonkatsu" for 1440 yen. It's thicker than usual, and I like my tonkatsu thick for that strong meat flavor. It took quite some time to be served. It's a thick cutlet, with fine breadcrumbs. I like this type. I tried it without any sauce first. The meat flavor comes through nicely with just salt. Adding sauce would overpower it. I tried it with soy sauce and sauce separately. It's a good tonkatsu. The rice and pickles could be better. But if you're looking for lunch in Kinshicho, this place is worth considering. A refined and elegant lady fried the tonkatsu with care. It's comforting.