Everyone in the restaurant, including the staff and customers, was Chinese except for me✨ This place is so popular that you can really enjoy authentic flavors‼️ Plus, it's easy to enter even if you're alone (the staff are all nice people! It doesn’t feel like Shin-Okubo at all, lol). Here’s what I ordered: - Sichuan-style shrimp stir-fry ¥1,050 - Lamb skewers (5 pieces) ¥748 - Chive skewers (1 piece) ¥308 - All-Free beer ¥544 (I had two All-Free beers). I was craving lamb so badly! Also, I was in the mood for something spicy… The lamb didn’t have much spice, but I devoured all five skewers. (Maybe they would have added more spice if I had asked?) The chives were delicious and I finished them quickly. The spicy hot pot also had plenty of potatoes and vegetables along with the big shrimp! With the spices, it really paired well with the beer. The portions were huge, and any leftovers can be taken out for about ¥30✨. It was just amazing, and I'll definitely come back. I’m also curious about trying… frogs, rabbit meat, spicy stir-fried chicken, and Sichuan-style spicy grilled fish. I want to go with a big group next time‼️ For those who love super spicy food like #tori_beer, definitely check this place out! Cheers with #tori_beer today❣️ If you love beer, check out @beeractress.koitachan’s posts! #ShinOkubo #ShinOkuboGourmet #SichuanCuisine #ChineseFood #BeerActress #JustBeer #Tori_Beer #Koitachan #KoitachanChannel #CraftBeer #BeerGirl #Beerstagram #Beer #CraftBeer #BeerGirl #BeerActress #LookingForBeerJobs #ConnectWithBeerLovers

It's spicy, but very delicious. The spicy kick is distinctive, but the flavor is robust and easy to enjoy. It might be a bit too intense for those who are not fond of spicy food, but I think it has just the right level of heat for those who do like it. I highly recommend it!

This restaurant, popular among the Chinese community in Japan, offers a variety of non-spicy dishes. Although the name and sign suggest intense spiciness and numbing flavors, their lunch menu includes milder options, which is a relief for someone like me who isn't a fan of spicy food. The twice-cooked pork was delicious, with plenty of pork belly and more meat than vegetables, giving it a great cost-performance impression.

After work in Okubo, I visited a restaurant. It was cold today, so I started with warmed Shaoxing wine. The first dish, mapo tofu, was incredibly spicy and addictive! There were options like frog and crayfish, but I played it safe and went for beef and pork instead. Even though it's cold, I’ll do my best not to catch a cold! The spiciness of this Sichuan cuisine really warms both body and soul!

The authentic Chinese restaurant "Mala Academy Shinjuku Okubo" opened in November 2023 in Okubo. It was originally called "Zaomenkan," and the old logo can still be seen inside, indicating a renovation. The location is just a minute's walk from Shin-Okubo Station along Okubo Street. Being on the second floor, it isn’t very noticeable from the sidewalk, giving it a hidden-gem vibe. The lunch menu features various set meals, rice dishes, and noodles, with prices ranging from 880 to 980 yen (including tax), ordered via tablet. The interior is similar to many modern authentic Chinese restaurants, with a somewhat flashy decor. There are several tables, and each table has shredded pickled mustard greens. I tried the "Minced Meat and Pea Spicy Noodles" for 880 yen (tax included). It comes in a large iron pot and resembles stir-fry-style spicy noodles with plenty of peas. A soup and almond jelly are included on the side. The spicy broth isn’t overwhelmingly strong; it’s relatively easy to drink. As you continue eating, you will start to sweat, but the spiciness and depth of flavor are quite mild. The noodles are medium-thick with a slight curl, cooked a bit firmer, and have a nice texture. While there are many peas in the dish, the amount of meat is quite limited, which makes it less impactful considering it’s labeled as "minced meat." While it's not bad, the pea-centric ingredients make it feel a bit lacking. I think the stews that others were eating would probably provide higher satisfaction.

When I nervously entered the second floor, thinking it might be hard to go in since I couldn't see inside, the staff greeted me with warm smiles. There were not many Japanese customers; Chinese was the dominant language. Still, I could tell right away that the staff understood Japanese. I ordered a stir-fried pork and egg dish, which had a rich flavor that I really liked—sweet and spicy! There was also a hot, thick egg drop soup that was very comforting and perfect for my chilled body from the air conditioning. The decor inside was cheerful and playful, and ordering was done via a tablet.

About two minutes from Shin-Okubo Station toward Okubo Station, on the second floor of a building that has Freshness Burger on the first floor, is "Malatang School Shin-Okubo Branch." I visited for the first time around noon on a weekday. Previously, the place was a genuine Chinese restaurant called Zaomenkan, and before that, it was Shin-Okubo Meat Theater. Upon entering the restaurant, you find tables arranged on both sides, decorated with flashy neon signs, creating a genuine Chinese atmosphere. You order via a tablet on the table. The staff adjusted the settings, likely switching it from Chinese to Japanese for us. The service had a mild demeanor. There was a tab for set meals on the menu, including Mapo Tofu, Hoikoro (stir-fried pork with vegetables), Green Pepper Beef, Sichuan-style Stewed White Fish, Duck Blood and Vegetable Sichuan Stew, Beehoon, Spicy Noodles, Spicy Mixed Rice, etc., most priced around 880 to 980 yen, all under 1,000 yen. I decided to go with Kung Pao Chicken. - Kung Pao Chicken Set Meal 880 yen: After waiting about 10 minutes, my meal was served. Upon reviewing later, I realized that despite the different menu, the decor and tableware were all the same as when it was Zaomenkan. Setting that aside, I eagerly tasted the dish. It came with egg soup, spicy pickled green onions, and a small portion of store-bought almond jelly. The main dish featured well-cooked chicken, cashews, and other ingredients like bell peppers and onions, all stir-fried together with a generous amount of chili, resulting in quite a spicy flavor. The portion was generous, and the strong seasoning made the rice very enjoyable; I didn’t even need a second helping as I felt full. You can pay using PayPay. I’d like to try the lamb skewers and plan to return for lunch or dinner soon.

The staff at the restaurant is very efficient and manages everything by herself. She's friendly, which is nice. However, the mapo tofu lacks fat and has a poor balance of flavors. It's quite different from what I had in Chengdu and lacks depth in taste. The mixed rice is delicious. The stir-fried shredded potatoes with salt are excellent. The dish has a doubanjiang and oyster flavor. The accompanying garlic foam is also a nice touch.

In March, M got off at Okubo Shin-Okubo Station and decided to find a place for lunch and drinks. This area has many Korean restaurants, but I personally don't find Korean cuisine appealing, so I looked for something else and decided to try the Chinese restaurant "Chuka Shokudo Ichibankan." Upon entering, I found it almost full, and the atmosphere didn't feel right for a relaxing beer, so I quickly shifted to a nearby restaurant for an emergency escape. I ordered the Mapo Tofu set meal for 880 yen (tax included) and a medium-sized beer for 600 yen (tax excluded). Since I had a toothache, I wanted something that resembled a liquid diet, so I chose these two dishes. However, it took more than 15 minutes for my meal to arrive, and it seemed there was a mistake by the staff; they had informed the kitchen of one less Mapo Tofu than it should have been for the customers ahead of me. As I suspected, my dish ended up being served to the previous customers instead. Sure enough, the meals for the customers who ordered after me were brought out first, and the staff apologized for the delay. Luckily, I had enough time to spare, and my much-anticipated Mapo Tofu finally arrived. It looked delicious and came in a generous portion. The first bite hit me with a strong numbing sensation from the Sichuan peppercorns, complemented by the sweetness and richness of the sweet bean sauce, creating a perfect balance. Given my sensitivity to spiciness, I found it paired well with the beer, putting me in a great mood. The soup accompanying the dish contained beaten eggs and finely chopped carrots, offering a gentle flavor reminiscent of egg porridge. The Mapo Tofu was plentiful, and while I enjoyed it with my beer, there was still plenty left for my rice. I realized that if I ate normally, I would likely end up with leftover Mapo Tofu, so I had to balance my pace while enjoying my meal. Despite the ordering mishap, I was generally satisfied. M’s experience was not entirely fulfilling.

#Takalog #Takarog #Mala Study Hall Shin-Okubo Store Tabelog 3.02 Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Hyakunincho 1-15-21 Real Shinjuku 2F #Duck Blood and Hormone Spicy Stew Set It's not my first time, but the duck blood has a wobbly texture. #Shin-Okubo Gourmet #Sichuan Cuisine Thank you for the meal! #Gourmet #Food Walking King #foodie

A new Chinese restaurant has opened on the second floor of Freshness Burger, just a minute west of Shin-Okubo Station. Previously, there was a place called Zaomenkan, which had a rather serious vibe, but after the renovation, the character for "study" adds a touch of friendliness. Moreover, they have a sign outside advertising Chinese lunch, making it even more inviting. On a weekday afternoon, the interior—still in shades of red and black—had two groups of customers, seemingly Chinese students. A female staff member greeted us, and her Japanese was perfectly fine, which was reassuring. The menu features familiar dishes such as mapo tofu, cashew nut stir-fry, and chirashi roast, along with some unique options like choi sum beef stir-fry and pickled fish set meals, priced at 880 yen and 980 yen, respectively. I ordered the choi sum roast set meal via a tablet, and since it was not crowded, my meal was served quickly. The plate was piled high with choi sum roast, rice, egg soup, pickled vegetables, and dessert. The choi sum roast was generous in portion and had a slightly rich flavor that complemented the rice well. The soup had a strong taste that helped balance the meal. The almond tofu had a firm texture and a subtle sweetness, which made it easy to finish. The grand menu also boasts a variety of authentic Chinese skewers and other enticing dishes. Overall, it looks very promising!

I really like the rabbit meat inside, especially when it's very spicy in the Sichuan style.

Delicious and reasonably priced.