[First Visit on September 7, 2023] I visited a private room izakaya where you can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine, with a main focus on Kyoto-style oden soaked in elegant Kyoto dashi and seasonal tempura with a French twist. The restaurant, which opened on August 22, 2023, is located a 5-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station East Exit. As soon as you pass through the large torii gate on the basement floor of a building near the 39th exit, you are greeted by a lovely female staff member with a smile. The Japanese-style space, reminiscent of a rest area at Ise Jingu, is very clean. This was my first time at a restaurant where oden is all-you-can-eat for a cover charge of 500 yen! I decided to order oden that was not part of the all-you-can-eat selection. We started with a fresh lemon sour and a fresh grapefruit sour for a toast. Please check out the reel video here: [Instagram link provided]. Here is what we had: - Cover charge (oden all-you-can-eat): 500 yen - Fresh lemon sour: 480 yen - Fresh pink grapefruit sour: 580 yen - Japanese-style Torii gate salad: 780 yen - Giant flavor-infused daikon radish (a classic): 580 yen - Hot and flavorful aburaage (recommended): 380 yen - Konnyaku: 390 yen - Seasonal tempura assortment (a signature dish): 1,380 yen - Sea bream ochazuke (recommended): 780 yen - Matcha tiramisu (recommended): 980 yen We thoroughly enjoyed the refined and elegant flavor of the oden simmered with carefully selected ingredients, as well as the freshly fried tempura. The dessert, matcha tiramisu, was a delightful surprise exceeding the typical izakaya dessert standards. You can make reservations through Tabelog, so be sure to book a table and visit this place. Kyoto Dashi Oden and Seasonal Tempura Torii Kuguri Ikebukuro Branch 2-26-10 Minami Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, Actiole Ikebukuro B1F 050-5600-8316 Business Hours: Dinner 16:00-24:00 (Last Order 23:00, Last Drink Order 23:30) Open on Sundays, Closed on Irregular Days

I heard that a new restaurant serving oden and seasonal tempura opened in Ikebukuro, so I decided to check it out. One unique feature of this place is that the appetizer is oden, and for a fee of 500 yen, you can enjoy all-you-can-eat oden. Instead of choosing, you are served a selection of oden dishes. Upon arrival, I was seated at the counter where I could see the oden right in front of me. This seating arrangement was well thought out. I started with a toast with a beer, specifically Sapporo Black Label. When I ordered the oden appetizer, I was served a plate with various items such as thick-fried tofu, hanpen, sausage, konjac, egg, daikon radish, etc. The dashi broth made with kombu and bonito was authentic and flavorful, with a light and delicate taste that allowed the ingredients to shine. There were also various condiments like seaweed, shichimi pepper, and yuzu pepper for flavor variations. The oden went well with the drinks, and I ended up having a second round of drinks with a Dewar's Highball. I also ordered some a la carte items, including changja (Korean pickled vegetables) and freshly fried karaage (Japanese-style fried chicken). The karaage was particularly delicious, made without garlic, marinated with ginger, coated in rice flour for a crispy texture, and with a hidden flavor that added depth. The restaurant also had a selection of sake, and I chose Gohashi FIVE Junmai Shu White Koji Yellow. I had a refill of oden once, and it was already quite filling. When it came time to pay the bill, I was shocked to find that it was only 2,620 yen per person (tax included). I had discovered an amazing restaurant. Thank you for the delicious meal.

The all-you-can-eat oden appetizer was excellent. Sitting at the counter, I had the oden pot right in front of me, so I could easily get refills. The staff asked about my preferences and served it up for me. I also had some sake, which was smooth and easy to drink. There were about 10 different types. For dessert, I ordered the matcha tiramisu. I heard it was popular on social media, so I decided to try it, and it was definitely worth it. The total cost for two of us was around 7000 yen, and we left feeling very satisfied.

[Date] Visited solo at 4 pm on a holiday. It's great that they open early, perfect for a casual first stop before heading elsewhere. No reservation needed, was able to walk in without waiting. Seems like you can get in without a reservation if you go early. [Location] 5-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station. Exit from the east side and walk straight along the road next to Don Quijote. The shop is located before the park, with a torii gate leading downstairs as a landmark. [Interior] Counter, tables, sunken kotatsu seating, private rooms. Suitable for solo dining, dates, or group gatherings. Clean and cozy interior. [Order] Cheers with a non-alcoholic beer! They have a wide variety of sake and shochu. Perfect for pairing with oden. The complimentary appetizer was an assorted oden plate with daikon, egg, sausage, ganmo, thick fried tofu, chikuwa, and shirataki. A lineup that I love! And you can have seconds too. The broth is gently flavored, enhancing the natural taste of the ingredients. Enjoy additional flavors with aosa seaweed, shichimi pepper, and yuzu pepper. Ordered the following: - Fluffy dashimaki tamago: As the name suggests, it's fluffy and refreshing with grated daikon. The mild sweetness was perfect! - Hot atsuage fried tofu: Soaked in flavorful broth, delicious! Sprinkling shichimi pepper adds a nice kick. - Matcha tiramisu: This was incredibly delicious!!! A must-try for those who love sweet treats. Plenty of matcha powder on top of a rich cream layer. It has a dense texture with sponge cake and red bean paste, and the accompanying cookie was also a delightful touch. Thank you for the meal! [Service] Prompt and friendly service. [Final Thoughts] All-you-can-eat oden for the appetizer! The matcha tiramisu is also amazing!

[Overall] - Oden izakaya located in Ikebukuro - The name of the restaurant comes from the fact that the entrance staircase is designed to resemble the torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha - Almost full around 7 pm on weekdays - Unique Wi-Fi available in the restaurant - Credit cards and PayPay accepted [Dishes] - Oden appetizer (500 yen): All-you-can-eat oden, first serving is chef's choice, additional orders can be placed directly. Varieties included daikon, egg, hanpen, ganmodoki, wiener, shirataki, etc. The gentle dashi flavor made it easy to eat. It was a nice idea to have oden as an appetizer, it comes out quickly and allows you to enjoy a variety of options. Seasoning with yuzu kosho or shichimi on the table is also an option. - Bone-in meat finished with Kyoto dashi (1280 yen): Bone-in thigh meat finished with the same dashi as oden. It was tender and easy to eat. - Fluffy dashi rolled omelette (380 yen): Dashi rolled omelette made with Kyoto dashi. Topped with plenty of grated daikon. - Mini tomato skewer (350 yen): Chilled oden-style mini tomatoes. A nice palate cleanser. - Monzen soba duck seiro (980 yen): Seiro served with warm duck meat and leeks dipping sauce. The combination with soba was good and easy to eat. The portion was on the smaller side, making it perfect for a light meal to end the dining experience.

I visited this restaurant for the first time after it opened! The interior was beautiful, and the staff were lively and provided very polite service that impressed me. I went with two close friends that day, and we were seated in a semi-private area with a sunken kotatsu table. ⚫︎Oden: The oden here has a distinct taste compared to typical oden. The broth was a bit light, but the processed items had a good texture and were delicious! The all-you-can-eat option is honestly a great deal. If you want to enjoy a variety of menu items, getting a course meal might be more cost-effective than ordering individual items. Since they offer all-you-can-eat oden, the minimum requirement is for each person to order at least "2 items per bowl." The counter seats seemed popular with couples, while the private rooms were used for group gatherings. Overall, it was a delicious restaurant with a variety of dining options!

I used it for a drinking party after work. It's an izakaya located a short walk from Ikebukuro Station. There are torii gates lined up on the stairs leading to the basement, and you enter through the torii gates. In front of you, there is a large torii gate, and the staff are dressed as shrine maidens. It has an interesting atmosphere that is not typical of an izakaya. Inside the restaurant, there are table seats, sunken kotatsu seats, counter seats, and private rooms seem to be the main focus. This time, we were guided to a completely private room with a door at the back of the store. Orders can be made through the system on your smartphone, which is quite smooth. First, a toast with draft beer. The draft beer is Sapporo's Black Label. It's the best reward for myself who worked hard in the heat. It was delicious. The appetizer is oden. This oden appetizer is all-you-can-eat, and the variety of oden includes chikuwa, hanpen, ganmo, konjac noodles, eggs, and more. It's slightly light but has a very good aroma, is this specific to Kyoto dashi? It's light but flavorful, and it was nice to have condiments on the table for flavor variation. In the end, I had about three refills and thoroughly enjoyed the delicious oden. In addition to the all-you-can-eat oden, I was curious about the mini tomato skewers, so I ordered them, and the combination of tomato and Kyoto dashi was good and delicious. The staff recommended tempura, sashimi, and duck carpaccio, so I tried them, and the tempura had a crispy batter with green tea salt as a nice accent, delicious. The sashimi was thick and satisfying, with a good mouthfeel. The duck carpaccio had a slightly sweet sauce, a tender texture of duck meat, and a great compatibility with alcohol! I spent about 2 hours eating and drinking, and it was around 4000 yen per person. I was satisfied with the delicious food and the fullness, so the satisfaction level was high. I also had a very good impression of the atmosphere and service of the restaurant. Thank you for the meal!

I made a reservation for 17:00 on Sunday and arrived at the restaurant. I reserved the all-you-can-drink course for 3000 yen + 1500 yen. I was guided to the counter seat as reserved. The staff was polite and asked for my first drink choice. I chose a premium open beer, and it was served in a chilled glass. We toasted and the edamame from the course menu arrived promptly. The edamame was fresh, tender, and had just the right amount of salt. The salad that followed had fried burdock as an accent, making it a light and perfect accompaniment to drinks. Finally, the assorted oden arrived, featuring daikon radish, konjac, hanpen, egg, and fried tofu soaked in a flavorful broth. Each item was delicious, especially the egg and fried tofu. Adding seaweed and yuzu pepper from the table condiments enhanced the flavors even more. And the best part was that the oden was all-you-can-eat! The egg and fried tofu were must-tries. I also had shochu after the beer, which was not too strong, allowing me to enjoy a moderate amount of alcohol with the snacks. I tried all three types of sake, each with a unique taste, keeping the drink experience enjoyable. The dashi chazuke served at the end had a rich flavor, perfect for accompanying the remaining drinks. The dessert was a matcha tiramisu, a special creation by the staff, with just the right balance of sweetness and bitterness to end the meal. When receiving the ochoko cup, you can choose from a variety of options, which I found to be a unique and enjoyable service. Overall, the customer service was excellent, with a hospitable atmosphere. I would definitely consider revisiting this restaurant for a calm and pleasant gathering with friends, colleagues, or a romantic partner. The premium Japanese sake selection and the authentic flavors that complement Japanese cuisine were outstanding. The staff were all friendly, and the atmosphere was great. I had a wonderful time at the counter without feeling crowded. The high level of hospitality and quality made me feel that the price was worth it. If you're unsure where to go for a group drinking or party, this restaurant is definitely worth considering! I would recommend this place to my friends.

As the second stop, I entered this shop. In Ikebukuro, there aren't many stylish places, surprisingly, but this shop is different. Despite being in Ikebukuro (no offense, it's a familiar place so forgive me), it has a stylish atmosphere. And they offer all-you-can-eat oden as a complimentary dish! And it's really delicious oden. However, as it was the second stop, I had to order two drinks and two food items, but I was already full from the first stop, so it was tough. But it was a great shop!

After work, I visited this izakaya with a friend. My friend wanted to drink in Ikebukuro and mentioned a newly opened izakaya that specializes in oden and tempura, so we decided to go there. It's located about a 5-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station East Exit. As you descend the stairs to the basement where the izakaya is located, you pass under a torii gate before entering the stylish and welcoming interior. The staff greeted us warmly as we entered, creating a great first impression. The interior was clean and stylish, with pleasant background music creating a sophisticated and adult atmosphere. We were seated at a sofa table and the staff explained the ordering process and provided us with complimentary oden as a starter. Surprisingly, the oden was free for refills, which was a fantastic deal! We ordered dishes like duck carpaccio, fried tofu (oden), giant daikon radish (oden), gyoza, rolled omelette, half-boiled egg with salmon roe, tempura, and spicy chicken. The duck carpaccio was particularly outstanding, with a delicious sauce that enhanced the flavor of the duck. The fried tofu was also tasty, and the half-boiled egg with salmon roe was a unique and delicious dish. We also tried some recommended sake from the drink menu, which was excellent. Overall, the atmosphere was great, the food was delicious, and the staff provided excellent service throughout our visit. I would definitely want to come back here when I'm in Ikebukuro again. Thank you for the wonderful dining experience!

As someone from Kyushu, I felt that the seasoning was a bit light, but I was happy that it was all-you-can-eat oden! The interior of the restaurant is made of wood and very beautiful! Most of the staff were friendly and it was a good experience! Thank you for the meal!

I made a last-minute reservation and ended up trying a course I hadn't planned on. The food was interesting, with a rare oden dish in Ikebukuro. I understand the requirement of ordering 2 food items and 2 drinks per person, as there are various reasons for that pricing strategy. However, I felt there were too many explanations given after being seated, such as the all-you-can-eat oden appetizer. It would be helpful to have something written on the menu or placed at each table. I understand that the restaurant is still new and figuring things out. I heard they focus on Japanese sake, which is great, but I found the highballs and sours to be a bit weak.

Passing through the torii gate and entering the store, you will find a beautiful and calming space, as it is new. The background music is soothing, allowing for a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a meal and drinks slowly, rather than being noisy. The taste of the oden, especially the tender chicken, was delicious. The staff members left a great impression. As the weather gets colder, oden will be perfect, but even in the current hot season, it was very delicious and a great place to spend a good time.

I went to this restaurant with my female friends. We were looking for a place with private rooms, as we had some complicated discussions to have, and we wanted to enjoy some stomach-friendly oden after several days of drinking. We made a reservation right away, but we were informed that the private rooms were not available due to ongoing construction when we arrived. I was about to cancel the reservation, but they kindly offered us a private room just for this time. The staff and chefs were very hospitable and attentive throughout our visit. The Kyoto-style oden was delicious, with unique menu items, stylish presentation, and a gentle dashi flavor. While there are many delicious restaurants out there, this place stood out for its exceptional customer service, reminiscent of a certain hotel's hospitality, providing a wonderful experience for both the stomach and the heart. Since I often visit Ikebukuro, I will definitely recommend this place to friends and acquaintances and visit again. If I were to suggest one improvement, it would be to provide information about free Wi-Fi, as the restaurant is located underground and some carriers may have trouble with signal reception when using smartphones to place orders.