Today's lunch was at Sukiya. It had been 6 years since I last went there, and I didn't have many good memories. There was no ticket machine, you had to order using the touch panel at each table and pay afterwards. This time, I tried the limited edition unagi (eel) bowl. The unagi bowl was 890 yen, with extra rice for 40 yen, and miso soup for 80 yen, totaling 1010 yen. The waiting time was 2 minutes, and the dish looked almost exactly like the menu photo. The unagi weighed 79g, and it was just average. However, the sauce was too salty. Among the 6 chain restaurants I've tried this year, Sukiya's unagi was the saltiest. I felt sorry for the unagi. Below is my personal ranking of the unagi dishes at the 6 chain restaurants I've tried, based on the price per gram of unagi in the set meal (excluding optional items). As of the end of August, Matsuya and Ootoya were sold out of unagi. 1. Yoshinoya 1207 yen, 107g, 11.28 yen/g 2. Kura Sushi 790 yen, 73g, 10.82 yen/g 3. Sukiya 890 yen, 79g, 11.26 yen/g 4. Yayoiken 1100 yen, 72g, 15.28 yen/g 5. Gusto 1300 yen, 94g, 13.82 yen/g 6. Nakau 900 yen, 49g, 18.37 yen/g *Matsuya 980 yen, 80g, 12.25 yen/g *Ootoya 2880 yen, ??g, ?? yen/g Matsuya was said to be the best tasting according to online reviews, but unfortunately, I didn't get to try it.

Although it's not an inspection of the enemy situation... It feels somewhat similar. I have been a big fan of "Yoshinoya" beef bowl for about 50 years. I have had many discussions with people around me. However, I am not a blind fan. At the very least, after understanding beef bowls from other major chains like Matsuya, Sukiya, and Nakau, I still believe that "Yoshinoya" is the best and should be said as a matter of courtesy. So, if I were to communicate this to a third party, it would be like this: "Regular Beef Bowl" (400 yen) + "Clam Soup" (200 yen) - as shown in the photo. This is the most common pattern for me at Yoshinoya. In Yoshinoya's case, the meat is often upgraded to a larger portion, but I decided to keep it regular. It is 43 yen cheaper than Yoshinoya in total. The amount of meat in the regular bowl is good, and I think the flavor direction is not bad. However, when compared, it is clearly different. It lacks the richness and sweetness of the fatty short plate that Yoshinoya is known for. Even if the meat is in a tattered state, you can still feel that difference in quality from Yoshinoya's meat. The sweetness of the seasoning and the natural sweetness of the meat are different. That's how I feel. As for the clam soup, it is far from the flavor of clams. Yoshinoya usually serves 8 to 11 clams, so the quantity is the same. However, upon closer inspection, it is evident that the flavor comes from kelp, not clams. Chopped kelp is scattered throughout. I'm not a big fan of this kind of taste. Ultimately, the taste may be good, but if mistaken for the flavor of clams instead of kelp, it could be troublesome. I think children will become taste-blind if they rely more on the flavor of kelp than the flavor of clams. I have always said this about conveyor belt sushi restaurants like "Hamazushi" and "Kappasushi." If you use soy sauce with bonito and kelp in it, the subtle flavors of white fish will be completely overwhelmed. I have always banned it for children. Because when eating squid or sea bream, the umami of bonito remains. Without a doubt, they will become taste-blind. Well, precisely because it is a cheap chain restaurant, that's why I'm saying this... Thank you for the meal. This "Sukiya" is not very noticeable. (laughs) Among the Sukiya restaurants I have seen, this one is by far the most hidden. There are no signs other than a small standing sign, so even if there is a "Sukiya" right in front of you, you might not notice it from the opposite side of the road. It is an old store that has been around for quite some time, so the locals have known about it for a while, but many new locals don't even know that there is a "Sukiya" at Ikebukuro West Exit. (By: Kyonatsu Shukuu, June 14, 2023) (39 likes/3.06 average rating)

- Grilled salmon breakfast set mini for 460 yen - A breakfast set that includes rice, miso soup, tamago kake gohan (egg over rice with soy sauce), okra, onsen tamago (soft-boiled egg), and bonito flakes, with grilled salmon added on top. The seasoning is done with pickled ginger. You can choose the size of the rice, which is a great point.

Before the meeting at 7:00 PM, I wanted to satisfy my hunger, so I stopped by this place on the way! I ordered the beef bowl without hesitation! I was really looking forward to it, so I intentionally didn't add raw egg and just ordered the default beef bowl with shichimi and pickled ginger for a simple yet best experience! However, it didn't quite suit my taste!? Maybe the sauce is too sweet? Well, Sukiya is known for its toppings being the highlight, so maybe this is just how it is?

Late at night, taking a short break from work, I decided to have a late-night meal in an unfamiliar area near Ikebukuro West Exit. I remembered having lunch at Sukiya yesterday - I had ordered the Szechuan-style Mapo Don (regular size) for 530 yen. The dish was described as Sukiya's special Mapo tofu seasoned with doubanjiang, sweet bean sauce, and refreshing citrus-scented green Sichuan pepper. It included hot tofu, ground meat, and crunchy bamboo shoots. However, the dish lacked the authentic Szechuan flavor, and the texture of the bamboo shoots felt out of place. The spiciness was mild, and the Sichuan pepper spice packet provided did not enhance the dish as expected. It ended up floating on top with the green onions, losing the original flavor of the dish. I was glad I ordered the regular size portion. It turned out to be a Szechuan-style "inspired" Mapo Don, rather than the real deal.

I visited "Sukiya Ikebukuro Nishi Store" around 5:00 pm on a Saturday in October 2021. Located just a 2-3 minute walk from Ikebukuro Station, the not-so-spacious restaurant had about 5 customers already seated. I ordered the recommended menu item, "Garlic Sesame Pork Bowl (regular size)" for ¥490, along with a "Salad Set" for ¥170. The pork bowl was generously topped with garlic and drizzled with sesame sauce. It was served with a side salad and miso soup. The garlic in the dish was flavorful, especially since it was cooked and had a sweet taste. The strong sesame sauce complemented the dish, although the combination was a bit subtle. Adding the pickled ginger from the table enhanced the overall taste. The salad with French dressing was a good match for the pork bowl. Overall, I enjoyed the meal, although I personally prefer beef bowls over pork. I believe the garlic topping is a limited-time offer, but it's definitely worth trying. I finished the meal by savoring the miso soup filled with fried bits and chopped green onions. Sukiya Ikebukuro Nishi Store is conveniently located near the station, and despite its small interior, it is a great place to dine.

When I'm busy, I always go to a beef bowl restaurant for lunch! So, I went to Sukiya for the first time in a while. To address the staffing shortage, orders are placed using a tablet. I chose the mini size of European-style beef curry (550 yen tax included) without hesitation. It's like the curry beef bowl at Matsuya. It's a wonderful menu where you can enjoy both curry and beef bowl! The curry is a blackish, slightly smooth curry sauce that goes well with the beef for the bowl. It's mildly spicy. Sometimes it's nice to go to a beef bowl restaurant. It was delicious.

In a TV commercial, I saw Satomi Ishihara eating eel and beef alternately and thought I wanted to try it. So I went to a restaurant nearby. The service was dark and the presentation was sloppy. When the dish was served, it was done carelessly and the eel was not very tasty on its own, it was tough to eat. If the food had been delicious, I would have considered it good value for money, but in this case, I felt it was not worth it. I might have had high expectations, but for now, I don't think I'll be going back to this restaurant.

Beef bowl (regular) ¥350 Today, I felt a little tired of Sukiya and Yoshinoya, so I decided to change things up and came to Matsuya. The soy sauce here is stronger, the pickled ginger is spicier, and the price is cheaper. It's good to switch up the restaurants you go to when you're in the mood for a change. There's not really a big difference between them.

Good morning. This is Cammy. Today, I have to visit a client's office for work in the morning. I needed to adjust my schedule, so I stopped by my favorite Sukiya restaurant. They have a very cost-effective breakfast menu, so I often come here. I usually order grilled fish for breakfast, but today I decided to try something different. Sukiya has a wonderful variety of menu options, so I always enjoy trying different toppings. Also, due to the current situation with the coronavirus, it seems like the special soy sauce for egg rice is a little different. It's tough for everyone, but let's do our best.

[Access] It's about a 5-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station. I had to work in Ikebukuro late at the end of the year, and of course, the popular shops were already closed. I thought I could trust that this place would definitely be open, so I decided to visit. [Taste] I had a regular Gyudon (beef bowl) and Tonjiru set. It was delicious as usual. The taste hasn't changed at all. It's delicious to pour the raw egg over the Gyudon. The sweetness of the raw egg complements the flavor of the beef bowl sauce, beef, and onions, creating a delicious synergy. I also like the Tonjiru, which is not too thick. I enjoy adding pickled ginger on top. [Cost-Performance] The Gyudon and Tonjiru set was just over 500 yen, so it's definitely a good cost-performance for Sukiya. [Overall] When you're tired from work in Ikebukuro at the end of the year and need to eat, this chain restaurant is a reliable choice. During this time of year, Ikebukuro at night can be filled with drunk people at certain places, so caution is necessary. In comparison, chain restaurants provide a sense of security.

[Access] It's about a 5-minute walk from the west exit of Ikebukuro Station. [Taste] I had a regular beef bowl. It always tastes the same delicious. The flavor of the meat, onions, and sauce has remained unchanged since the old days. A famous chef mentioned on TV once that the balance between the rice and beef here is just right. The portions are such that you won't run out of either one before the other. [Cost-performance] A regular beef bowl costs 350 yen, so it offers great value for money. [Overall] It's a delicious restaurant that always meets the criteria of being fast, cheap, and tasty. When I was tired from work at the end of the year and couldn't find any open places, wandering around Ikebukuro, this place was a lifesaver. It's truly a place that comes in handy when you're in trouble.

At first, I was planning to eat the extra-large portion of maguro sashimi rice bowl (with two slices of tuna), but I was somehow drawn to this dish and decided to order it. It was my first time trying una-gyu (eel and beef) dish. I started by eating the beef bowl part, worried that the beef bowl sauce might mix with the eel sauce. After conquering the beef bowl area, I reassured myself that this is an extra-large eel rice bowl, and not to expect the taste of the beef bowl, and then I devoured it. Is this the right way to eat this dish?

In July 2019, I decided to try out something called Sukipass, which gives a discount of 70 yen for up to 3 meals of gyudon, curry, or unadon each time I visit. The pass cost 200 yen. I thought I would get tired of gyudon after 10 visits, but surprisingly, I didn't. I ended up visiting Sukiya 23 times and had 25 meals in one month. I usually skip breakfast except on Sundays when I wake up at 2:30 am for errands, so out of the 64 meals I had in 31 days, 25 were at Sukiya. I bought one extra gyudon to take home, but my daughter ate it, so I improvised a pork dish with leftover red pickled ginger and Costco bulgogi sauce, which turned out even tastier than Sukiya's gyudon. I managed to lose 800g by sticking to regular size portions and not overeating, following my own rule. I secretly hope to write a book about my "regular size portion diet." Here is a breakdown of the Sukiya stores I visited and the meals I had: Meguro Sanchome store - 15 visits, Musashikoyama store - 2 visits, Ikebukuro Nishi store - 2 visits, Meguro Station Higashi Exit store - 1 visit, Seijo Gakuenmae store - 1 visit, Kohoku Minowacho store - 1 visit, Akasaka Rokuchome store - 1 visit. Meals consumed: Gyudon - 13, Wasabi Mountain Gyudon - 2, Gyudon Asari Soup Oshinko Set - 1, Gyudon Tonjiru Oshinko Set - 1, Gyudon Tonjiru Tamago Set - 1, Pork Curry - 2, Pork Curry Salad Set - 3, Unadon Shijimi Soup Oshinko Set - 2. My favorite store was the Meguro Sanchome store, although it was far from the station. The store had a calm atmosphere, but lacked a variety of alcohol options. Sometimes, the takeaway gyudon lid wasn't properly closed, resulting in spillage, or the rice was too watery, or the corn was missing from the salad. Overall, it was a good experience, and I look forward to visiting again. Thank you for the delicious meals!

A quick lunch. There were three staff members, so everything went smoothly! I had a mini beef bowl for 290 yen, a salad set for 150 yen, and an egg for 60 yen, all for just one coin. After finishing the meal, I got thirsty soon after.

This is a "Sukiya" restaurant near the west exit of Ikebukuro Station and the Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre. The interior of the restaurant is compact, so it tends to get crowded during lunchtime. This time, I ordered the Gyudon with regular size (¥350), Kochijang Tare (¥20), and On-tama (¥70, but used a survey coupon to get it for free). The sweet Gyudon from "Sukiya" goes well with the spiciness of the Kochijang. Although the Kochijang alone can get a bit monotonous, the creamy On-tama adds a nice touch. Overall, the Kochijang and egg are affordable and versatile toppings.

I came all the way to eat at Sukiya because my favorite menu that I loved is back for a limited time! The Eat Ramen Ma Gyudon!!! It is still very delicious just like before!! I wish it could become a regular menu instead of a limited one...

The late-night snack was delicious, thank you for the meal.

Hello! My name is Genza Kamo. You can also call me Gen-san in a friendly way. My hobbies are martial arts and training. These two are the center of my life, but there is one more important thing - food. I believe that eating is somewhat similar to fighting. That's why I have decided to challenge the gourmet fighters in the food review world. I want to aim for the top by fighting fair and square. I have a straightforward personality, so I will honestly say whether something is delicious or not without any bias. Be prepared for my honest and unbiased reviews! [Sukiya Ikebukuro Nishi Store] There are times when I suddenly crave Sukiya. So, I decided to go to the nearby Sukiya! I always order the Negi-Tama Gyudon at Sukiya. Gyudon itself is delicious enough, but it becomes even more delicious with green onions and egg. Breaking a raw egg over the bowl is the happiest moment for me. The green onions are seasoned with a spicy flavor, which goes well with the gyudon. When combined with the richness of the raw egg, it's just amazing. I devoured it quickly and finished it in no time. It's impressive that a chain restaurant can serve such delicious food at a reasonable price. I think it's a result of the company's efforts. I will definitely have the Negi-Tama Gyudon again when I visit Sukiya! That's all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. It was a feast!!