みかりんこ
A kebab shop located along Meiji Street near the east exit of Ikebukuro Station. It used to be the location of Pearl Lady tapioca drink shop, just a little past Don Quijote. The shop opened its Urawa branch in 2006, started participating in various events with a catering car in 2008, and began producing and supplying special Doner kebabs at a food processing plant from 2012 onwards. It opened a second branch in Ogikubo in 2018, and a third branch in Asagaya in 2020. The shop has won the Kebab Grand Prix in Tokyo in 2015, 2016, and 2017, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. This shop offers only takeout, with a menu featuring kebab sandwiches for ¥350, kebab wraps for ¥500, kebab bowls for ¥500, and appetizers for ¥500, with only chicken as the meat option. There are six sauce choices available: sweet, medium spicy, spicy, teriyaki, Caesar, and garlic yogurt. I purchased the spicy kebab sandwich and garlic yogurt. The shop staff took out pita bread from a warming pot, added shredded cabbage, stuffed the meat tightly, and then topped it with sauce. It was surprisingly filling for ¥350. Some parts of the meat were a bit tough, perhaps due to being kept warm, but overall it was juicy and tender (maybe because I ate it at home). The garlic yogurt was particularly delicious - creamy with a mild garlic flavor that is suitable for lunch. The spicy sauce, while normal in spiciness, was also recommended. The staff bid me farewell with "See you tomorrow!" which made me smile. The proximity to the station and the affordability of the kebab sandwich make this place a great find. It might take some courage to eat on the go along Meiji Street, but I would prefer to enjoy it fresh if possible. If you prefer to sit down, South Ikebukuro Park might be a good option. As a kebab lover, I will probably end up buying from this shop every time I pass by! A surprising first-time reviewer, haha.