I went for lunch. The thick-cut grilled beef tongue is tender and delicious. The oxtail soup is refreshing with a salty taste and plenty of green onions that warm the stomach. The dessert with matcha is also included, and I think it's a good deal for 2,000 yen. Please give it a try if you like.

For dinner today, I had beef tongue. I had to go to the dentist before work, so I had an early dinner before catching the express train. It's part of my series of must-eat foods before leaving Japan! So, I decided to have beef tongue at Rikyu. It's the Lumine Est branch. There was a serious shortage of staff at the storefront, with a notice saying that some items may not be available and there may be delays in service. The beef tongue set, with 3 pieces of 6 slices each, and grated yam instead of egg, cost 2519 yen including tax. Oh, they have raised the price quite a bit. Well, I can't help it. Even if it's expensive, as long as I can eat delicious beef tongue... I thought. But when the beef tongue was served, I was like, "Huh..." It was thin and overcooked!! It was a meager serving of beef tongue. Isn't this bad??? I wonder if they cooked it for the same amount of time as before, or if it's the fault of the cook. I'm kind of disappointed. And then I realized later on, the daily side dish was missing. This is beyond just being short-staffed or facing rising ingredient costs ⤵️. I wonder if this is just a problem at this branch, or if it's like this everywhere now... I used to love Rikyu. What a shame. #dinner #Shinjuku gourmet #Lumine Est #Rikyu #beef tongue set meal #must-eat before leaving Japan series #eating alone #solo dining #solo dinner

I hadn't eaten breakfast, so I went to Rikyu and ordered the Wagyu tongue set meal, well-done! I also tried THE SPENCER, a West Coast IPA from the brewery operated by Rikyu! The beer was delicious, with a classic IPA flavor. The Wagyu tongue today was crispy and flavorful, really delicious! I felt happy treating myself to this luxury even though there was nothing special. I used my Lumine card to pay and saved a little money.

I arrived at the restaurant around 7 o'clock on Thursday. I was happy that I only had to wait for 5 minutes to get in! I have experienced waiting for over 30 minutes at the same time before. The premium beef tongue yakiniku was delicious as always, and I never get tired of it no matter how many times I eat it. It's thick, tender, and goes perfectly well with rice!

I took the afternoon off and went to Rikyu for lunch. I ordered the beef tongue set meal (miso flavor). The beef tongue was thickly sliced yet tender! The beef tsukudani side dish alone could go well with a bowl of rice. I ended my meal with a comforting matcha cream daifuku. It was crowded around 12:20, but I was quickly seated at a solo table upon arrival. There were also about 3 groups of tourists from Asian countries. So far, Rikyu is my favorite among the beef tongue chain restaurants.

In Tokyo, the must-try for beef tongue is Rikyu without a doubt! Their Ultimate Beef Tongue Set is amazing! When I visited Sendai and tried various places, Rikyu is definitely in the top 3 in the competitive beef tongue scene there as well! By the way, their chili oil sold in the store is also recommended.

I went after a long time and it seemed busy... despite a long line, I was seated in an empty restaurant. Huh? Haven't they been rotating the tables? It took quite a while for the beer to arrive. I ordered the Beef Tongue Supreme Set, but it looked different from the photo...? I remember it used to have more volume and tasted better. So, this time, the rating is lower, but if it's the usual quality, it would be ☆3.5.

The Ebisu area in my workplace has many beef tongue restaurants. Many of these places are not easy to enter alone, so I want to explore more of them. I have been in Sendai for 3 years, and with all the moving around during my childhood, I have spent a total of about 12 years in Sendai, so I believe I know where to find delicious and cost-effective beef tongue. When I first moved to Sendai, I think Rikyu was a relatively new player, but now it is known nationwide. When it first opened in Sendai, the beef tongue was thick and the restaurant was always crowded, but I feel like over the years the beef tongue has become thinner and smaller. Although the prices may be a bit high for a chain restaurant, considering the number of bad beef tongue places out there, Rikyu is doing well. So, I decided to casually visit Rikyu on the 7th floor of Lumine Est Shinjuku and ordered a beef tongue comparison set with 4 pieces of "salt" flavor, 4 pieces of "miso" flavor, and 4 pieces of the "extreme" beef tongue. I also ordered a Kirin Lager 500ml bottle. This time, I tried the thick "extreme" beef tongue for the first time. I already ate one piece, but personally, I prefer the thinner slices for a better eating experience. The beef tongue comparison set with the thinner slices and the spicy miso topping is delicious. This time, I skipped ordering rice and oxtail soup as accompaniments to the beef tongue, but I realized that beef tongue is not as satisfying without rice and soup. Although it's a bit pricey, the total bill came to 5137 yen. Bon appétit!

The grilled beef tongue was delicious. I added grated yam because it's a must. I wish it came as a default. The mysterious side dish was a Napoli-style spaghetti with lots of sausages... I didn't need that. The soup was average. The pickles were delicious! The cream-filled matcha daifuku was tasty. Two pieces were enough to fill me up. But it cost 2500 yen... Looking at the photo, it looks like I've already started eating, haha.

Shinjuku Station ramen has been replaced with a weekend lunch set, today I tried the beef tongue set meal for 1,800 yen. The miso flavor is a classic, but the miso at Rikyu has a deep and delicious taste that becomes addictive. The beef tongue seems to be marinated and has a smoky flavor when grilled, along with a spicy kick that goes well with the rice. The tail soup has the same old salty taste that goes well with the rice. I noticed that the amount of Nanban miso has decreased compared to 20 years ago. Instead, the addition of Rikyu's daifuku dessert is just the right amount of sweetness and size for a perfect ending. The prices may have gone up, but I think it's tough for local businesses, so I will continue to support them by going back for more.

On a weekday sandwiched between holidays, I finished my lunchtime work and headed to Lumine Est before my hospital appointment. I had a 500 yen off coupon that could be used for purchases over 2000 yen, so after careful consideration, I decided to have beef tongue at "Rikyu." I was a bit worried that it might be crowded since it's during the holiday season, but I was able to get in easily. The restaurant has many counter seats, which is great for solo diners. I ordered the beef tongue set with 3 pieces (6 pieces) for 1980 yen (excluding tax) and added grated yam for 300 yen (excluding tax)! I remember they used to say "3 pieces, 6 slices" before, but the staff now said, "3 pieces, 6 pieces!" Maybe it's clearer this way? I usually ask for less rice wherever I go, but when it comes to beef tongue, I go for a regular portion because of the grated yam. It's been a while since I had beef tongue – being from Sendai, I crave it regularly. The grated yam is a must, but this time, a large egg came with it. I think before, there used to be quail eggs in the grated yam... or maybe I'm mistaken? I prefer just the grated yam, but I feel bad leaving the egg, so I mixed it into the grated yam. Oh... the ratio of egg to grated yam is quite high. It was a large portion, so instead of adding it later as usual, I put it on top of the rice from the beginning. The beef tongue was consistently delicious. I wish I could eat more, but as the number of pieces increases, so does the price, so this amount is just right for me. However, I always think, do we really need the side dish and dessert? Maybe they could make those optional. If that would lower the price, I'd like to add one more piece of beef tongue. As I was eating and thinking this, a female customer next to me ordered, "Please add grated yam, but without the egg." Wow! You can order like that... I'll have to do that next time.

I had the Tan-Toro set meal for 1,947 yen, aiming for a PayPay Gourmet coupon. I went on a weekday at 12 o'clock, with few customers. I sat at a spacious counter seat. The beef tongue was on the smaller side but well marinated and served as a great side dish. The Nanban miso and pickles were well-prepared, which are essential for beef tongue grill. The salad came with smoked tongue, the soup had plenty of leeks, and for dessert, there was a Date tea cream daifuku. It was a lunch that matched the slightly higher price. With the global rise in beef tongue prices, it may become a luxury food that is hard for ordinary people to afford. It's nice to have a suitable restaurant for an occasional indulgence.

On a holiday, we stopped by Lumine and decided to have lunch there with two people. The service was polite, the interior was clean, and we were seated smoothly at a table. We ordered the standard set meal from the menu, but the presentation was lacking and the texture was rubbery. The soup was the most delicious part, but the beef tongue stew had a strong smell that may divide opinions. The atmosphere and appearance were nice, so it's a bit disappointing.

I visited for lunch. The store at Shinjuku Station's Shin-Minami Exit has closed, so this time I went to Rokkasen in Lumine Est. It seems that this place has a wider variety of menu options. However, I always order the premium beef tongue, so I'm not too picky about that. When I ordered grated yam, it came with egg yolk, but I think it would have been better with just grated yam. The regular beef tongue is delicious, but the premium one is really good.

Gyutan Yakiniku Rikyu is a specialty restaurant in Sendai city, dedicated to serving grilled beef tongue. They are committed to preserving the traditional taste of authentic Sendai charcoal-grilled dishes. Enjoy the juicy and tender texture of their thickly sliced beef tongue, which is carefully prepared by hand.

All the table seats were full, so I was seated at the counter. Many women were dining alone, and the atmosphere was welcoming. The staff were very attentive, making sure to refill my water before it ran out. It was my first time dining at Rikyu, and I now understand why it is known for its salted beef tongue. The thickness of the meat and the perfect cooking made it truly delicious. I will definitely be coming back!

After work, I had a quick meal at "Rikyu," a popular beef tongue restaurant in Sendai. The Tokyo branch is less crowded than the one in Sendai, making it easier to get a table. The Lumine Est branch had a lot of young customers. They had both counter and table seating, with tables spaced out for COVID-19 precautions. I always order the beef tongue set meal with 3 pieces of beef tongue, barley rice, oxtail soup, side dish, and Japanese sweets. I usually ask for a half-size portion. You can choose between salt and miso flavor for the beef tongue. I love the beef tongue and oxtail soup here, and I sometimes crave their flavors. I definitely want to visit again.

I couldn't go for lunch and it was already around 3 o'clock, so I was wondering where to eat since lunch hours were over. I decided to try this place because it's open from 11 am until late at night, making it convenient to visit at different times. I chose the classic beef tongue set meal and it was delicious, especially the beef tongue and oxtail soup. It's a place that is easy to enter alone and it's located a short distance from the station, so I would like to go again!

In the past, it was good... Tears. We used to talk about how famous Rikyu was for beef tongue, but now it's a disappointing restaurant that doesn't even spark that kind of conversation. Beef tongue set meal, directly connected to Shinjuku Station, you could take the elevator up to Lumine and easily enjoy a beef tongue set meal at a reasonable price. However, they started making various dishes, which may have been the cause of their downfall. Without realizing it, they added many different menu items, which was surprising. Sorry for being so critical, but I was really disappointed. Even though I didn't have high expectations, out of curiosity, I tried the beef tongue sushi, but it was a huge letdown. It was like, "What is this?" The meat quality wasn't good, and the vinegared rice was tightly packed like an onigiri with a thin slice of beef tongue placed on top, more like a mini beef tongue rice ball. It had a rubbery texture. Anyway, if you eat here, stick to the beef tongue set meal. There's nothing else worth trying.

"Rikyu" is famous for its Sendai beef tongue. I visited their store at Osaka Station before, but I had no idea they were also in Lumine Est Shinjuku! They also have branches in Nihonbashi and Shibuya Hikarie. While the image of the store in Osaka was mainly businessmen, the clientele at Lumine Est was much younger! There were groups of girls as well as solo male customers, which was surprising. When you order the set meal, you first get the beef tongue simmered in sweet sauce, which goes well with the white rice. The oxtail soup was generous and delicious, with a strong dashi flavor and crunchy green onions. Of course, beef tongue is best enjoyed with barley rice. The beef tongue set meal with 4 pieces of 8-cut tongue costs ¥2,050. The beef tongue arrived shortly after, thick and flavorful with just the right amount of bounce. It was a delightful experience! I had tried the more expensive "Ultimate" menu before, but I think this one is tastier. It's best to eat it while it's still warm, as it can get tough when it cools down. The pickled cabbage and Nanban miso, essential accompaniments to beef tongue, were also delicious. I love the spiciness of the Nanban miso! Overall, Rikyu's beef tongue is truly delicious. It's a taste that makes you want to come back regularly."