かぴぱら556
Located about a 10-minute walk from Nakano Station, at the end of Nakano Broadway, you'll find "Yakushi Ai Road Shopping Street," where this restaurant is situated. It is known as a holy place for the mobile game "Rise of Kingdoms" (Laikin), and the owner is also a player. I made a reservation and visited right after opening on a holiday.
The interior features 12 counter seats and 3 two-person tables with a calming, woody, and somewhat industrial atmosphere. It tends to attract a stable clientele of groups of women and couples, making it a comfortable place to be. By the way, the restaurant allows smoking inside. Their wine is particularly inexpensive, starting at just 500 yen per glass and 2,200 yen per bottle, which is an incredible deal.
◆ A la carte:
- **Whole Dashi Tomato**: This eye-catching dish features a gentle broth that completely immerses the tomato, making for a refreshing start. The texture is silky, and it's so flavorful that I found myself drinking the dashi broth. It may seem like it would be difficult to eat, but it's conveniently cut, and a knife and fork are provided.
- **Creamy Dashi Egg Ahi-jo**: This is a must-try item when you visit. It's my first experience with a dashi-flavored Ahi-jo. The taste is incredibly satisfying, hitting the spot perfectly. It utilizes a dashi from free-range chicken and egg. I usually wouldn't think of drinking the oil from Ahi-jo, but it was so delicious here that I finished every drop.
- **Maitake Mushroom and Korean Seaweed Ahi-jo**: I ordered this seasonal Ahi-jo as an additional item because the previous one was so delicious. The mix of Korean seaweed and egg yolk provides a rich taste experience that is distinctly different from the egg Ahi-jo.
- **Tuna and Avocado Tartare**: Served in a beautifully designed dish, this appetizer could easily be served in a high-end restaurant. It's sizable and a great value at 680 yen. The creamy avocado pairs perfectly with the tuna, which has a consistency similar to negitoro. It can be enhanced with a tangy sauce.
- **Fluffy Cheese Bolognese**: They generously topped my dish with an incredible amount of cheese, grating it for about 30 seconds, nearly burying the dish in cheese. The combination of the chewy, smooth pasta and the rich Bolognese sauce with minced meat is excellent. There are also two types of habanero sauce and cheese available at each table.
- **Dashi Tomato Cheese Risotto**: I was intrigued by this dish from the menu. The creamy risotto, along with the dashi tomato, not only looks good but tastes rich yet refreshing. The subtle sweetness of the tomato and the accent from the okra are delightful. It's light enough that you can enjoy it with heavier dishes like Bolognese.
Overall, I left feeling completely satisfied. Considering the restaurant's location and that it's run by one person, the pricing is astonishingly low. The owner remarked that everything was made to suit Japanese tastes, and it certainly showed—every dish was delightful. The use of dashi was also well executed. The owner's personality shines through with friendly, attentive service, and the atmosphere is both comfortable and amusing. It's perfect for girls' nights out, dates, or having fun with friends. Highly recommended! Thank you for the meal.
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- Address: Whole Dashi Tomato, Tuna and Avocado Tartare, Creamy Dashi Egg Ahi-jo, Maitake Mushroom and Korean Seaweed Ahi-jo, Fluffy Cheese Bolognese, Dashi Tomato Cheese Risotto, Alcoholic Drinks
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- Address: 1-14-16 Akai, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, Lions Mansion Nakano 5 B111
- Reservations: Available (Online reservation or 050-5592-4401)
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, Sunday 17:00-24:00, Friday-Saturday 17:00-26:00
- Closed: Monday
- Payment methods: Various credit cards, electronic money, QR code payment
- Actual cost: 4,000 yen per person
⭐️ Tabelog Rating: 3.01
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- Instagram ID: tam_gourmet_