I feel like I've pretty much explored the area around Yotsuya-Sanchome to Shinjuku Gyoen. Today being a Sunday, I knew I wouldn't be able to rely on my favorites, the udon restaurant "Shinano" and the tempura restaurant "Tenshun," so I still got off at Shinjuku Gyoen Mae station, ended up on Yasukuni Street heading north, and then walked west. I remembered that "Kazuyuki" was underground in this area, so I headed straight for it. It was 12:40 PM when I entered the restaurant, and there was a moderate amount of space inside. The waiter asked me if I preferred the counter or table seats, to which I replied, "Either is fine." This made me realize that my response wasn't humble but perhaps a bit arrogant, so when he led me to a table, I felt a bit remorseful. I ordered the "Asagao" set for 1,380 yen, which included horse mackerel fry, a bite-sized fish cutlet, shrimp fry, deep-fried eggplant, and wasabi grated in summer limited. The thick and fluffy horse mackerel fry from Nagasaki's Matsuura Port was a luxurious treat, and I felt relieved that I didn't have to eat goldfish today. The aroma of soy sauce mixed with rice was magical, and I thought that with some kombu tsukudani, I wouldn't need any other deep-fried food. As I enjoyed the various flavors, I couldn't help but feel that lackluster mixed fry from a lazy local Western restaurant seemed inferior. I pondered why chain restaurants, with a certain level of capital, often outshine individual restaurants in terms of sincere cooking. Can individual restaurants that can truly compete with places like "Wako" be on the level of "Tonsho" and "Pai Chi" in Asakusa? The dilemma was the wasabi grated in summer, which seemed more suitable with soy sauce than sauce. However, eating it as is seemed incomplete as a dish. So, I decided to use it with the horse mackerel fry and the result was amazing! The soy sauce enhanced everything, and I was truly impressed. The lively atmosphere of the restaurant matched my satisfaction, and I could sense that there would soon be a line of waiting customers, so I left promptly and returned to the surface.

The restaurant street at Isetan is very crowded, but this place is relatively empty. The prices are reasonable, so many people who seem to be employees were eating here. The taste is definitely reliable as it is from Wako. Cabbage, rice, and miso soup are all-you-can-eat, so it's recommended for those looking for a hearty meal.

I went for lunch. I arrived before 12 o'clock and it quickly became full. I ordered the pork cutlet. The crispy coating and juicy meat were very delicious. It was also nice to be able to eat a lot of cabbage.

Today is my blood test and check-up day, which happens once every three months, and it's also a day of liberation from my restrained diet. For lunch, I decided on "tonkatsu" and headed to "Wako" in Shinjuku Sanchome. I ordered a beer and a pork cutlet set. The beer was delicious after a long time! The pork cutlet was satisfying in terms of portion size, and the cabbage side dish was served with yuzu dressing. I was initially satisfied, but in my opinion, the batter could have been a bit crispier. Thank you for the meal.

Last night, I invited my coworkers to my place and we had a feast. I love cooking, so I made a lot of food for the 6 of us. But in the end, there was still quite a bit left over. I woke up feeling heavy and hungover. I didn't have the energy to make lunch, so I decided to go to a nearby restaurant called "Wako." I ordered their autumn limited menu item called "Momiji" for 1,480 yen. It included oyster fry, shrimp fry, bite-sized pork cutlet, and cream croquette with 6 types of mushrooms, including porcini. I love mushrooms, so I was immediately drawn to it. When the dish arrived, the rice was sparkling and looked so appetizing. The cream croquette had a rich and fragrant taste with the porcini aroma. It was delicious! I then moved on to the oyster fry, shrimp fry, and pork cutlet. The breading was light and not overwhelming, which was a pleasant surprise. The cabbage was finely shredded and served with a refreshing yuzu dressing. The clam miso soup was also delightful. I had seconds of the miso soup, of course. Overall, I enjoyed peeling off the excess breading from the fried dishes and savoring each bite.

Located along Yasukuni Street, right near Isetan and close to Kabukicho, Isetan Kaikan has a slightly nostalgic feel to it. It's a perfect spot to slip into after watching a movie at Piccadilly, shopping at Muji, or buying something at Isetan. Do I even need to explain about Wako? It's a nationally famous tonkatsu chain that represents Japan. Wako has evolved independently, without pandering to the times or being swayed by trends. Some people might feel a certain air of "but it's a chain, right?" but try blindfolding yourself and tasting it alongside other famous restaurants. You probably won't be able to tell the difference because they're all delicious. Wako's tonkatsu is known for its crispy texture, coated with large breadcrumbs. You can get unlimited refills of rice, miso soup, and cabbage. The sauce is thick and flavorful. Whether dining alone or with a friend, you can relax and enjoy your meal. I think it's the best.

On May 9, 2022, I had a meeting in Shinjuku Sanchome starting at 12:00. It was an awkward time for a meeting with no time for lunch. So, I had to choose a place that was open from 11:00 and not too crowded. The only option seemed to be the Isetan Annex. I decided to try out Wako, a traditional Japanese restaurant that I had never been to before. The lunch set, Wako Gohan, was recommended and priced at 940 yen including tax. I arrived right at 11:00 and was the first customer. The Wako Gohan set included pork cutlet, a generous portion of cabbage, clam soup, pickles, and rice. It was a simple but satisfying meal, perfect for a quick lunch. The pork cutlet was crispy and tasty, although the portion was small. You could have unlimited rice and cabbage, but there were not many side dishes to refill. Overall, considering the price, it was a decent lunch option. I finished my meal in 25 minutes and made it to my meeting on time. There were still no other customers when I left. I wonder if it gets busier after 12:00.

I missed out on being the first to review the newly opened Tonkatsu Wako, but I came back for my second visit craving some fried oysters. The restaurant was almost full even though it was past 1:30 pm. The staff seemed to be busier than before, and I had to wait a bit for my order of fried oysters and pork cutlet set. I forgot to order less rice, but the rice was so delicious that I didn't want to waste any. The oysters were juicy, and the tartar sauce was tasty. The pork cutlet was a good choice, with its sweet fat and tender meat. I carefully savored each bite, making sure to enjoy the delicious rice. The clam miso soup was also excellent. After the meal, I felt satisfied and full. The new restaurant had a call button at each table, which was convenient. Overall, it was a fulfilling lunch experience.

Tonkatsu Wako in the Isetan Shinjuku store is a well-known traditional tonkatsu restaurant. They also have takeout-only shops in department stores and malls. I recently had their tonkatsu at the restaurant instead of getting takeout, and the taste was consistently good. It's true that eating at the restaurant is tastier than getting takeout.

Delicious