A 6-minute walk from the west exit of JR Ikebukuro Station, you will find a restaurant and bar that focuses on alcohol. It has a snack-like atmosphere. When you enter a mixed-use building in Ikebukuro and go up to the 5th floor, you can hear singing. It turns out to be "Nagabuchi" performing. His deep and beautiful voice adds a nostalgic feeling to the atmosphere, especially on weekday nights. The space is relatively compact with 5 counter seats, a sofa for 4-5 people, and 2 small tables. The restaurant opened in July 2018, and it is run by two women, the owner and her sister, who take care of everything. When asked for the menu, they say they have it, but not really. They will cook based on your order and budget. I ordered the Pork Belly Coconut Milk Stew "Bicol Express" (1,500 yen) and waited for the food. In the meantime, I chatted with the sister and another customer at the counter, who is involved in exporting to the Philippines. The food arrived, and it looked appetizing with the meat as the main dish. The creamy soup with a hint of sauce had chunks of pork belly, paprika, and shishito peppers for garnish. I immediately ordered rice as well. The rich soup moistened my mouth and throat, while the fatty pork was not overwhelming. The salted shrimp "Bagoong" and the mild flavor without much chili pepper were distinctive. This Bicol Express was definitely one of the best I've had. The owner is actually from Bicol, so she is very skilled in their local cuisine. However, as someone familiar with Filipino food, I still appreciate the strong flavors from other specialty restaurants. Overall, it's a very cozy place. Unlike regular restaurants where you just eat and leave, I recommend coming here for a leisurely night of enjoying drinks and karaoke. They allow you to bring your own alcohol, so I visited again to bring Don Papa Rum. Located in front of the elevator on the 1st floor of the building. Menu & Prices: Bicol Express 1,500 yen Rice 200 yen BYOB allowed Usage fee (unlimited time) 5,000 yen All-you-can-sing karaoke 1,000 yen Service charge 10% extra Hours: 20:00-05:00 Address: 5F Koyo Building, 2-13-8 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Phone: 0369031165 Reference: www.facebook.com