Just about a year ago, Yoshinoya opened a new store in Ikebukuro Metropolitan Avenue (that's a mouthful). It's a takeout specialty store, but you can also eat in on the second floor. I've been there a few times, but realized I hadn't written about it yet. It's where "HOKUO" used to be, next to Mos Burger. There are photos from the opening day, with congratulatory flowers on the left side of the store. I usually get the pork bowl + kimchi set (comes with miso soup) for takeout. But this time, I was busy with work and not feeling well, so I decided to go for the eel rice bowl! It even came with some sansho pepper, which was a nice touch. With the reduced tax rate for takeout, it cost me 1185 yen including tax. Let's dig in! It's definitely eel! Eel always gets me excited just by looking at it! I had eel rice bowl at Yoshinoya two years ago, but this time it was noticeably more delicious. It was plump and tasty, making me feel like it was worth the price. Bon appétit!

From Karagyu (Regular) ¥578 (+tax) A takeout-only shop located across from the Metropolitan Hotel on the 2nd floor. There is a small dining area with a counter of 5 seats and 3 tables. They do not offer set meals. You will be given a bento box to take to the 2nd floor. There is a vending machine as soon as you go up. It seems they use this for water as well. As for the food, I had the Karage (fried chicken) and Gyudon (beef bowl). Nothing particularly special to mention. It was nice that the staff confirmed the number of shichimi (seven-spice seasoning) for me.

I didn't have much time, so I went to Yoshinoya after a long time. When I entered, it felt strange. I had to pay at the register before ordering, and I noticed that the people in front of me were receiving their orders in takeout containers. It turns out it was a takeout-only store, but I was directed to the second floor to eat in. I ordered a regular beef bowl for 448 yen (including 10% tax) and miso soup for 74 yen (including 10% tax). The beef bowl had a mild seasoning, allowing the taste of the beef to stand out. It was the same old taste, but I wished I could have eaten it in a regular Yoshinoya bowl instead of a takeout container. Among the beef bowl chain stores, I like Yoshinoya's miso soup the best. It seemed a bit less salty compared to before. The condiments, pickled ginger and shichimi pepper, were not enough in just one packet. The place was full of foreign customers, and there was no complimentary tea or water. I felt guilty about the unnecessary use of disposable containers and the 10% tax rate. I just wanted to go to a regular Yoshinoya, and now I regret it. Thank you for the meal.

However, on the second floor, you can eat inside the restaurant as usual... well, it wasn't exactly "usual." The second Yoshinoya store has returned to the Ikebukuro West Exit area. After losing the Yoshinoya at the Rosa Kaikan, a new one opened at the West Exit Rotary, only to close shortly after. The North Exit store on Mizuki Street has been there all along. I ordered the "Gyudon - Atama no Oomori" (large beef bowl) for 547 yen, along with "Asari soup" for 173 yen and "Healthy green tea W" for 160 yen - as shown in the photo. It's a unique style where you buy a bento and eat it in the dining area. There's no water or tea provided, so you have to buy your drink from the vending machine. Opening the lid of the bento and eating feels like having a home-cooked meal. You also have to specify how many packets of pickled ginger and shichimi you want when you purchase. Of course, there are disposable chopsticks too. The portion size might be slightly smaller than expected, but as a Yoshinoya fan for half a century, I can't help but be satisfied once I start eating. Eating from a styrofoam container with chopsticks in hand feels nostalgic. The bento and miso soup were piping hot, which was a pleasant surprise. The atmosphere on the second floor feels like it used to be a bakery called "HOKUO." The Healthy green tea W was also enjoyable. It was an interesting experience. I disposed of everything in the designated trash bin on the second floor, which left me feeling a bit guilty. It seems to be the sign of the times. Thank you for the meal. (By Kyonatsu Shuusora, September 15, 2022) (First review posted, 796th store) (No changes or additions made to previously registered information.)

Yoshinoya is located at the intersection near Ikebukuro West Exit, Metropolitan Hotel, and Lumine. It is primarily a take-out shop, but there is also seating available on the second floor. The space on the first floor is quite small, but the food is served very quickly, so it's not a problem. I ordered a regular size beef bowl to go. The red pickled ginger, shichimi spice, etc. are self-service. It was my first time eating Yoshinoya's beef bowl in a while! The tender meat and the slightly soupy rice were delicious. There are various menu items besides beef bowls, such as pork bowls and fried chicken. The pork bowl looked tempting, but I think I'll stick with the beef bowl next time at Yoshinoya.