Lunch in Takadanobaba. Originally planned to go to a different restaurant, but saw a sign on the way and decided to change plans and visit here. Arrived before 12pm, about 10 customers already inside. The interior is like a small izakaya or bar, with counter and table seating. Not a big place, but not tiny either. The highlight is the "Top-Up Donburi" where you can add as much extra chicken karaage and pork on top of your rice bowl for only 500 yen. Limited to customers who arrive between 11:30-12:00, no leftovers, sharing, or takeout allowed, which is quite impressive. I ordered the Top-Up Donburi. My companion had the weekly special set meal, which was a Chinese Mapo Tofu set for 800 yen this week. The price of the weekly special changes depending on the content. The Top-Up Donburi was amazing. The pork bowl was served in a giant rice cooker pot. I filled about half of it with rice. The chicken karaage pieces were large, about 5-6 pieces max to fit without spilling. Both the pork bowl and chicken karaage were delicious. The pork had a tasty sauce and the chicken was juicy. All this for 500 yen, what a deal. I also tried a bit of the Mapo Tofu, which was slightly sweet with a good kick of Sichuan pepper. The set also came with two giant shumai dumplings, a great value for 800 yen. (September 2023)

"Takadanobaba Station is about a 7-8 minute walk west along Waseda Street to the izakaya 'Takadanobaba Sakaba Minato'. I visited for the first time around 12:30 on a weekday. They serve lunch from 11:30 to 14:30 (last order at 14:00). The restaurant has a long counter with 12 seats and 4 tables for 4 people each. The entrance side facing the street was open as it was not too cold that day. Lunch sets include grilled dumplings for 800 yen, chicken karaage, oyakodon, salted mackerel for 850 yen, stamina pork belly for 900 yen, and ginger pork for 950 yen (not available that day). The daily special set was 1,000 yen, featuring simmered golden eye snapper that day. They also offer combo lunches like dumplings and shumai for 1,000 yen, salted mackerel with natto and raw egg for 950 yen, and a mountain of fried chicken for 1,050 yen. You can add an extra item like fried chicken on the side. I chose the daily special set. Rice comes in half, regular, or large portions at the same price. The daily special set (simmered golden eye snapper) cost 1,000 yen. While waiting, I noticed they have a good selection of sake and wine on their evening menu. The dish arrived in about 10 minutes, with a large golden eye snapper head on the plate, making a big visual impact. The fish was simmered well in soy sauce. The portions of the head, cheeks, and other meat were quite generous, but since it was a fish head, there were limited parts that could be eaten. I struggled to eat while avoiding bones. If I had chosen the large rice portion, I would have had leftovers. They do not accept PayPay for payment, but some QR code payments like d payment are accepted. Next time I visit during lunch, I'll try a meat-based set."

A young and trendy izakaya restaurant opened last year in a dining area about a 3-minute walk west from Takadanobaba Station on Waseda Street. They serve lunch sets during lunchtime. I visited around 12:15 pm on a weekday. The restaurant has about 25 seats at the counter and tables, with one group of customers already there when I arrived, followed by two more. The staff, all men in their prime, provide friendly service. The menu includes daily specials, fried chicken, salted mackerel, and stamina pork harami ranging from 800 yen. On this day, the pork harami was already sold out, so I ordered the ginger pork. The thick and tender pork was cooked in a sweet and savory sauce with a strong ginger flavor, making it a delicious ginger pork dish that I highly recommend. The rice portion, even in the free large size, was not overly generous, so you can order without worry.

I dropped in on a whim. I felt like having a drink. I ordered various dishes from the appetizer to sashimi, and everything was delicious.

The friendly store clerk and the recommended shumai were delicious.

Craft beer being all-you-can-drink was really great. The food was also plentiful and everyone in our group was very satisfied. There is also a wide variety of other drinks besides the all-you-can-drink option, so I would like to visit again for those.

The staff was friendly and the food was delicious! ✨

All dishes were delicious and well-balanced!

The quality of the alcohol is good! You can drink delicious alcohol in thin glasses and be satisfied. I was also very satisfied with the meal for 6000 yen. The shumai and gyoza were delicious...

Cost performance is very good! The food was also very delicious, but the dumplings were especially amazingly delicious.

The food was average.