After visiting the art museum, I decided to have lunch at a restaurant without a reservation. It was just before noon on a weekday, but the restaurant was full, so they asked me to write my name down and wait outside. When I asked how many people were ahead of me, they said that those who had written their names down were not waiting nearby but had gone somewhere else, so they could seat me soon. I decided to wait. As the staff had said, I was seated in less than 10 minutes. However, because it was crowded, there was a time limit of 60 minutes. I took off my shoes at the entrance, and a staff member took care of them. Another staff member then led me to a private tatami room. The sunken kotatsu table was comfortable, and my feet were warm. They served hot tea as soon as I sat down, and when I was struggling to decide what to order, they brought me an English menu with pictures, showing great consideration. I ordered the Hana Kago Zen "Yuki," while my companion ordered the Chatsubo Sandan Bento. By adding Kani Shinjo and Chawanmushi to the Chatsubo Sandan Bento and changing the rice to bean rice, it becomes the Hana Kago Zen. I was glad I chose the Hana Kago Zen because I liked the sesame tofu Chawanmushi and bean rice. I was able to get seconds of rice and red miso soup. Most of the dishes were vegetables and tofu, but I especially enjoyed the Matsukaze. I noticed some takeaway items and realized that they serve something called Okara tea. It has a flavor similar to black soybean tea and is delicious. When I asked about using the tea room after the meal, I was told that it was currently being used by diners. I understood that it was reserved for customers. They mentioned that they also offer sweets at the restaurant, so I ordered a set of matcha and Fu Manju. The Fu Manju was chewy and delicious.

It's crowded even on weekdays, so it's best to make a reservation. They now accept credit cards, which is new since my last visit. The first course includes yuba, tofu, chawanmushi, and sashimi. The second course is a variety of dishes served in a flower basket. The third course includes rice with beans, tempura, and you can have seconds of red miso soup and rice.

Is there any store that hasn't raised their prices? Although I didn't notice, this place has raised their prices, but I am completely satisfied with the unchanged comfort and deliciousness. It's a place you can rely on. It's beautiful in every season. The service is also polite. It's packed during weekday lunchtime.

Before going to a concert in Ueno in the afternoon, my wife and I made a reservation for lunch. We usually come here for sweets, but this time we tried their lunch for the first time. We reserved the meal "Mame-dofu Yuba Kaiseki Seiryu" and arrived about 20 minutes early. We were greeted with smiles and seated at a table on the second floor with a view of the garden. I ordered a small bottle of beer, which arrived very cold in a thin glass. My wife had hot tea, and we also had some water as it was a hot day. The kaiseki meal focused on tofu and yuba was amazing! The three types of yuba were presented like different cuts of tuna - lean, fatty, and medium fatty. Each had a unique texture and was delicious. The soy sauce, wasabi, and salt complemented the ingredients well. All the vegetables were also delicious, especially the eggplant which had a rich flavor. The fried eggplant on top of the somen noodles was particularly outstanding. The presentation was thoughtful and appealing. When I asked, I was told that the course menu changes monthly. Since it was summer, there were many refreshing dishes like chilled tofu, but I would love to come back in colder weather as well. Actually, I would love to come back every month.

Before going to the museum with my mother, we had lunch at a restaurant we had made a reservation at. We were seated at a semi-private table, and the staff was very polite. The garden was beautiful, and we were able to relax. The tea served was delicious, so much so that we didn't need any other drinks. Each dish in the course meal was carefully prepared and tasted great. While the chicken tempura was a bit of a mystery, the tofu, okara, simmered vegetables, and grilled fish were all excellent. The rice served at the end was fragrant with soybeans, and even though we were already full, we finished it. The fried young ayu fish was also delicious. My mother was very happy with the meal.

There is a quaint Japanese restaurant quietly nestled in Ueno Park, with a traditional atmosphere similar to a ryokan. I was seated at a counter table with tatami flooring, facing a window that looked out onto lush greenery and the gentle breeze rustling the leaves. Beyond the window, I could see Shinobazu Pond. It was a peaceful and relaxing place to enjoy a meal. Despite the initial impression of formality, it was actually a cozy and welcoming restaurant. I ordered the "Hanakagozen (monthly special)" for 2950 yen. The meal came in a basket filled with various dishes such as simmered taro, snap peas, fried eggplant, simmered pumpkin, red konjac, tofu with miso paste, rolled omelette, pickled vegetables, dried mango, freeze-dried tofu, simmered vegetables with carrot, shiitake mushroom, sweet potato, sardine, and shrimp, vinegared lotus root, tofu in bamboo tube, sliced konjac sashimi, yuba sashimi, pickled daikon radish, grilled silver cod with onion vinegar, sesame tofu chawanmushi, boiled soybean rice, red miso soup with nameko mushrooms and trefoil, and a dessert of sasamaki fu manju. The presentation was colorful and beautiful. The view outside and the meal in front of me were both very soothing. The sasamaki fu manju had a rich green color with a slightly sweet and refreshing red bean paste filling, reminiscent of water yokan. It was delicious. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

This restaurant, which is hard to get a reservation at, is located in a corner of the spacious Ueno Park. I visited for a celebratory lunch on a weekday. The private room is a traditional tea room known as "nijiriguchi". When you enter by bowing your head low, you can see the greenery of the inner garden through the large window in front. Sitting at the sunken hearth table, it really feels calming. I was torn between the 1.5-hour course Hana Kago Zen (¥2950) and the 2-hour course Hana Kago Honzen (¥4180), but I'm glad I chose the 2-hour option. With a reservation at 2 pm, the time waiting for a late lunch after leisurely enjoying the art museum passed quickly as we chatted with our friends, allowing us to spend a luxurious time slightly away from everyday life. The timing and taste of the food were just right, allowing us to relax. The special dessert of sweet fu for the guest of honor was a wonderful gesture! Perhaps the reason for its popularity lies in this thoughtfulness. I would like to visit again for another celebration ☺️

・Hana Kago Zen, Month◻︎Details: [Hana Kago] - Yose Dofu, Fresh Yuba, Fresh Fu Dango, Matsukaze, Eggplant, Pumpkin, Snap Peas, Taro, Omi Red Konjac, Dashimaki Tamago, Shrimp Simmered in Sake, Crab Sunomono, Shiitake Mushroom [Chawanmushi] - Sesame Tofu Inside [Seasonal Grilled Dish] [Meal] - Bean Rice, Red Miso Soup [Dessert] - Fu Manju◻︎Visit Time: 1:25 PM on a holiday◻︎Crowdedness: About a 5-minute wait (5 groups in line)◻︎Reservation: No advance reservation required◻︎Number of Visitors: 2 people◻︎Tabelog Rating: 3.59 (August 2023)◻︎Genre: Japanese cuisine◻︎Remarks: There was a wait for 5 groups, but if you weren't there when called, they would skip you, so we managed to get in early by skipping 3 groups. Some staff explained the dishes, while others didn't, which was disappointing. The dishes were not particularly impressive, but had some shining elements. Most chawanmushi usually have ginkgo nuts or vegetables, but this one had none of those extras, which was really good. The Fresh Fu Dango was chewy and the miso had an elegant sweetness. I could eat 10 of them. Overall, the atmosphere, location, and taste make it a good value for money option.

Lunch reservations can only be made starting from the Hanakagozengetsu set (2,950 yen). So, I arrived around 11:30, prepared to wait in line, but there was hardly any wait, possibly due to the rough weather and heavy rain. After informing the staff at the entrance that I did not have a reservation, I was directed to wait in a separate building to the left. This waiting area had a calm atmosphere. Shortly after, my name was called, and I handed over my shoes and wet umbrella, receiving a wooden round tag with a number written on it in return. I was then guided to the second-floor tatami room, where I could see the lush greenery of Shinobazu Pond through the large window, making me forget that this place was in the heart of the city. The exterior had an old-fashioned look, but it had been renovated in some areas, blending traditional and modern furnishings. The tatami room I was shown to on that day had a preserved old-fashioned feel in the floor gaps and window frames, which added to the charm. - Tea pot three-tiered bento box (1,690 yen): The three-tiered bento box shaped like a tea pot was surprisingly heavy when lifted. The first tier included yuba, nama-fu, and sashimi konnyaku. The second tier had what seemed like scooped-up tofu in the center, with a single red miso-coated bean on top, offering a subtly deep flavor. Around it were simmered okara, a dish of nira and nama-fu, white sesame-dressed sakuradaikon and hijiki, and a slightly salty simmered aburaage. The third tier featured sweetened shirasu, shrimp, pumpkin, sweet potato, lotus root, and nama-fu, with a variety of colorful and elegant simmered dishes. As always, the white rice was fluffy yet each grain had a distinct chewiness, making it very delicious. The red miso soup with cotton tofu and fu also had a wonderful aroma and flavor. I was informed that I could have seconds of rice and miso soup. The meal mainly consisted of tofu dishes, with a very healthy content that showcased each ingredient without overpowering them, demonstrating the skillful work put into each dish. After enjoying a leisurely tea, I spoke to the waitress, who mentioned that thanks to the rain, I didn't have to wait long today. Even in the midst of busyness, her gentle service helped put me at ease. When I presented the tag at the time of payment, my shoes and umbrella were ready at the entrance, showing a smart touch. I strongly felt the desire to return and make a reservation next time.

I went to Inshotei in Ueno, where you can enjoy a special meal called Hanakagozen and a delicious dessert called Namafu Anmitsu at the Kisako cafe between 3-5 pm. Inshotei is a historic restaurant located in Ueno Park. I made a reservation for the Hanakagozen meal, which was recommended by a friend, and also ordered the popular Namafu Anmitsu. The Hanakagozen meal was a generous serving of various dishes, all of which were delicious and well-seasoned. The meal was accompanied by a refreshing beer, but I think it would also pair well with sake. In addition to the Hanakagozen meal, we were served Chawanmushi, grilled fish, rice, red miso soup, and a sweet dessert called Sasamaki Fumanto. The Namafu Anmitsu dessert was outstanding, with three types of chewy namafu, smooth kanten jelly, and white mochi balls topped with sweet red bean paste and black sugar. It was the best Anmitsu I've ever had. I also bought two more to take home.

A long time ago, under the guidance of the Meiji government, a dining place was created in Ueno Park, taking inspiration from urban planning in Europe and the United States. Each seat has a charming atmosphere, allowing guests to enjoy the greenery of the park. The lunch "flower basket meal" is packed with colorful Japanese cuisine in a basket, including assorted tofu, yuba, and nama-fu... Each dish is delicious. The soybean rice is really tasty, and I had seconds with the red miso soup!

I entered without a reservation, into a sweet shop that looked like a separate building. It's a beautiful building. The lunch set costs 2300 yen. You can get free refills of rice and miso soup! The tea was delicious, and they kindly offered to refill it multiple times. It was a wonderful lunch after visiting the art museum. There was a line for the dessert time starting from 3 pm.

We used it for a university club alumni gathering. The atmosphere in Ueno Park was great! The food and the room ambiance were also lovely. You can take photos on the spacious veranda outside the room, and I understand why it's popular for business entertainment. Next time, I definitely want to use it with my family.

Ueno Inshotei's "Hanakago Zengetsu," established in 1875, is a venerable restaurant that has quietly watched over Ueno. Today's menu included dishes like Hanakago, Yose Dofu, Namayuba, Namafu Dengaku, Kani Shinjo, Ebi Sakamushi, Omi Akatengu, Satoimo, Kabocha, Nasu, and Matsukaze Chawanmushi. For the main course, we had Grilled Silver Halibut in Yūan style, served with Mame Gohan and Akadashi miso soup. For dessert, we enjoyed Sasamaki Fu Manju. It was incredibly delicious!

Located about a 10-minute walk from JR Ueno Station. I made a reservation in advance and was seated right away at 7:00 PM on a weekday. The view from the charming building was beautiful, giving off a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Today's course was "Aoi" for 9,350 yen, consisting of appetizers, soup, sashimi, small dishes, fried dish, simmered dish, main dish, and dessert. The meticulous kaiseki cuisine was delicious, and I had a great time enjoying the meal.

The atmosphere of the restaurant and the food are both excellent. The building is very old, and you go up the stairs as soon as you enter. The floor has cushions to sit on, which are not very comfortable, but the dishes are brought up and down the stairs by the servers. The presentation is beautiful and absolutely amazing. I was not expecting much due to some low ratings, but I was pleasantly surprised.

"Insatsu-tei" Ueno Hello, it's Mogusuke‍♂️ The password is [Delicious has 0 calories!] Today's post is about the restaurant "Insatsu-tei" that I visited the other day. A renowned establishment selected as one of the top 100 restaurants, founded in Meiji 8. Experience the changing seasons and history in a traditional Japanese setting. Enjoy a kaiseki meal and chicken sukiyaki in a Japanese atmosphere! Delicious has 0 calories! Be sure to stop by when you visit Ueno, Ueno-Okachimachi. ------------------------------------- ■ Budget per person: ¥8000 (lunch: ¥2000) ■ Location: 4-59 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo ■ Nearest Stations: Keisei Ueno Station, Ueno Station, Ueno-Okachimachi Station ------------------------------------- #TokyoGourmet #KantoGourmet #ConnectWithFoodies #Foodstagram #Sake #ConnectWithSakeLovers #Izakaya #IzakayaGourmet #ConnectWithIzakayaLovers #IzakayaCrawl #TokyoFood #TokyoTrip #TokyoTravel #TokyoSightseeing #UenoDrinks #UenoDayDrinks #UenoLunch #UenoGourmet #UenoDinner #UenoIzakaya #UenoPark #UenoParkDate #UenoDate #KaisekiCuisine #InsatsuTei

I watched the episode of "Matsuko no Shiranai Sekai" featuring Anmitsu and was intrigued to try the version with fresh fu at Inshotei. I didn't know that they only serve Anmitsu for 2 hours, and yet there was already a crowd even 40 minutes before opening on a weekday. I arrived early and had to write my name and order on a waiting board outside the shop. The menu is simple, so it's easy to decide what to order. I chose the regular Anmitsu, Cream Anmitsu, and Matcha with Fu Manju. I was seated on the first floor, which had a very calming atmosphere. The Anmitsu arrived in about 5 minutes and looked luxurious and beautiful, without the typical canned fruits found in other Anmitsu. The taste was... the fresh fu was delicious, with different flavors like sesame and yomogi to enjoy. However, the other components were honestly mediocre. The agar, black syrup, red bean paste, and soy milk ice cream were just okay. Especially the small dried fruit-like pieces on the Anmitsu had a strange texture, similar to a disappointing part of popcorn. I felt like they were unnecessary. The soy milk ice cream was good on its own, but I think a sweeter vanilla ice cream would have been better on the Anmitsu. Personally, I prefer the Anmitsu from Mihashi in Ueno.

Usually there are many counters on the first floor. I have been seated in a private room before, but this was my first time on the second floor. There were table private rooms and a large tatami room. Personally, I find tatami rooms uncomfortable as my knees hurt and it's hard to sit properly, so even though the view was nice, I couldn't relax. The service felt more rushed compared to the first floor, and I noticed that the way the dishes were placed was a bit sloppy. Especially the direction of the spoon for the tea sweets was wrong, and the placement was inconsistent. The way things were just placed down bothered me a lot. Could it be that they are short-staffed? Overall, the service was top-notch, but this time I felt disappointed. It was mentioned that seat selection is not possible when making a reservation. The food was as delicate and delicious as always, but the tatami room and the slight issues with the service brought my mood down, so I think I will wait some time before visiting again. Thank you for the meal!