A long-established restaurant located under the elevated tracks in Higashi-Ikebukuro. The first floor serves Japanese cuisine while the second floor is a Chinese restaurant, and this review is for the second floor. You can tell from the stairs that the owner is a big Tigers fan. The interior has a cool and laid-back atmosphere, with a counter and cafe-style tables in the back. The bookshelf is filled with a large collection of manga, as well as photo books of Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, showing a love for hard rock music. I ordered a Kirin Lager beer in a medium bottle for around 550 yen, along with gyoza and liver with vegetables stir-fry. The liver and vegetable stir-fry had a generous portion and thick slices of liver, seasoned perfectly with a nice balance of flavors. The gyoza had a crispy texture and a hot filling, with a flavorful punch that paired well with the beer. The food here is perfect for enjoying with drinks. Although it's a Chinese restaurant, they also serve a popular omurice dish, showcasing a diverse menu. The menu is extensive and a bit overwhelming, but it adds to the charm of this deep and enjoyable restaurant. By the way, the mystery of the beer price was solved - it was actually 500 yen.

September 5th First visit. It was like stepping into the Showa era. Near Higashi-Ikebukuro Station, before my mission at 11:40, I entered the first floor of the store thinking that the curry would be served there. However, when I tried to order curry, I was told that they had sold out yesterday. I'm not sure if they no longer serve curry or if it was just for that day. I ended up ordering the Chicken Karaage Set (750 yen). After a while, a bento box-sized side dish set was served, including country-style pickles, tsukudani, and a small bowl of noodles, which I couldn't quite identify if it was cold noodles. Among them, something like kinpira was really delicious. The main dish was served in about 13 minutes. The cabbage was roughly shredded with mayo on top, and the karaage had a very thin crust, almost like it was just fried without any batter. It was a small portion and easy to eat, but the taste was a bit bland. The only condiments available on the table were tonkatsu sauce, salt, and shichimi, and I decided not to use the tonkatsu sauce. It would have been nice to have ponzu sauce at least. The customers before me ordered ginger pork, while the ones after me ordered karaage, pork cutlet, karaage, pork cutlet, karaage, and pork cutlet. The karaage seemed to be popular. I would like to try the omurice on the second floor next time.

Taste: 3.0 Cleanliness: 2.0 Customer service: 3.5 Cost performance: 4.0 Preference: 3.6 Pork loin tonkatsu lunch set for 750 yen. This price is unbelievable. The cost performance is too good. I was surprised by the side dish set as well. The tonkatsu had a homely feel to it. What's more, the retro atmosphere of the restaurant and the staff were quite impressive. Instead of just focusing on whether the taste was good or not, I was touched by the warmth of the service. I will try out other menu items next time.

Although the portion size is only half, it's quite satisfying. I think men would be happy too, I am happy as well haha. The ramen is not the traditional dry type, but rather moist like the fried rice at a ramen shop, which I really liked. There are so many menu items that caught my eye, I'm not sure what to do. I'm captivated by this restaurant.

I thought, let's go to the local Chinese restaurant after all, and Tamachan was there, haha. It had a nostalgic Showa era vibe and the place was great with a lot of hearty dishes. Apparently, there's an old man in the kitchen making a mountain of menu items by himself. Bravo! The old man is a genius!! The five-ingredient delicious soba was amazing, with large portions of ingredients. My friend had the hamburger and said it was delicious. There's also things like liver cutlet on the menu, so many interesting dishes to try. I'll definitely drop by for lunch again.

During a break from work, I had a solo lunch at a Chinese restaurant located just a 1-minute walk from Higashi-Ikebukuro Station and about a 3-minute walk from Sunshine City. Run by the owner Trakichi, this place is filled with his overflowing love for the Tigers baseball team and offers hearty set meals that are a hit with the business people working in the area. It's a popular spot that was featured on a TV show. I arrived around 1:30 PM on a Thursday. The building also houses a Japanese restaurant called San Hamanami on the 1st floor and a Chinese restaurant with the same name on the 2nd floor, so it's important to be careful. I climbed the well-worn stairs to the 2nd floor. The interior had a counter with 6 seats and 4 four-person booth tables by the window. There were about 10 customers at this time. I decided to skip the various side dishes that come with the set meal and ordered the "Special Hamanami Omelette Rice" that I had been looking forward to, but unfortunately, they were out of demi-glace sauce. They offered a regular omelette rice instead, which I accepted. The omelette rice was moist and covered with a thick layer of egg. The filling consisted of ham, sweet corn, and onions, with a simple ketchup-based flavor. Sometimes, a simple dish like this is nice too. The Special Hamanami Omelette Rice, which I missed out on today, is a popular item with a vegetable-filled demi-glace sauce, listed as "San Hamanami's recommended dish 15". Hopefully, I'll have a chance to try it next time! Thank you for the meal. I'll definitely come back again.

Arrived at the restaurant just before 1 o'clock, with one customer already inside. The owner informed the hostess that they were out of eggplant and minced meat stir-fry. As I sat down and looked at the menu, the hostess asked me if I wanted eggplant. I hadn't ordered anything yet, so I decided to go with the pork loin cutlet. The hostess seemed tired, but the interaction was heartwarming. First, the side dish set arrived, with items like rolled omelette, pickles, and tofu in a lunch box-like container. There was even dessert, and the variety of dishes was impressive. The pork loin cutlet was decently thick and had great value for the price, although some of the breading had come off. It was served with a generous amount of mayonnaise. The cabbage salad had lettuce, cabbage, and carrots, which seemed to be the same with other set meals. I wish it had more cabbage, though. The miso soup was flavorful with a strong bonito dashi taste, reminiscent of the good old days without low-sodium options. By the time I finished eating, the restaurant was crowded enough for sharing tables. With such great service, it's worth choosing this place for the value, as long as you don't mind the retro Showa era vibe and vinyl tablecloths. When I asked for the bill, the hostess jokingly said, "750 million yen!" I playfully responded, "Alright, here's 800 million yen!" and handed over 800 yen. She then said, "Here's your change of 650 million yen!" I was left speechless, wondering if she made a mistake in her calculation. As I left the restaurant, I realized the hostess was quite witty.

This is a great lunch spot nearby that I would visit every day if I could! It's packed during lunchtime on weekdays with 10 customers already seated and 4 waiting. It's a popular spot with many regulars. I recommend ordering the pork ginger stir-fry for 750 yen including tax. It comes with a side dish and plenty of vegetables, and the stir-fry is delicious as expected. The cost performance is great, making it a perfect spot for daily visits. Thank you for the meal!

Personally, this is a casual restaurant where you can quickly stop by a few times a month after the lunch rush, enjoy your meal, and then head out. Smoking is allowed, so please be aware of that. The owner also smokes a lot, which adds to the old-school atmosphere of the place. The ramen, tanmen, and fried rice are all delicious, with generous portions and great flavors. It's a classic neighborhood Chinese restaurant that has been a staple in Higashi-Ikebukuro for a long time. Don't expect fancy flavors or anything, just good old-fashioned comfort food. If you're in the mood for some simple and satisfying neighborhood Chinese food, this is the place to go. Just be prepared to help yourself to water if it's not already on the table. Don't get upset if you have to grab it from the fridge yourself. It's just that kind of laid-back place. And the font on the menu might surprise you, but it's all part of the charm. I haven't been in a while, but neighborhood Chinese food is the best!

When you open the door, there are counter seats and table seats down the right-hand aisle. The sign "Weekly 20th Century Cinema Museum" on the wall catches your eye. The sauce and soup are rich in flavor. This place seems promising for both half-fried rice and ramen. So, next time, I've decided to go for the ramen.

Last night I had meat, so for lunch today I decided to go for some vegetables. I went up the stairs to the Chinese section on the 2nd floor. It was just before noon, so it wasn't too crowded and I was able to sit at the counter. I thought about my health and ordered the "Wood Ear Mushroom Set Meal". Mushrooms are good for you, right? Maybe. While waiting, it became noon and more and more customers started to arrive. The meal arrived in the midst of the bustling atmosphere. It was a typical Chinese-style dish with wood ear mushrooms and eggs. However, unlike other Chinese restaurants, it wasn't greasy and had a gentle flavor. The dish was full of large wood ear mushrooms and tasted delicious. Considering the portion size, it was reasonably priced. I was satisfied.

☆Recommended Points☆ ① If you climb the stairs, you will find yourself in a retro Chinatown with a Showa-era vibe. ② The standout feature is the sweet demi sauce on the Tokihamaname omelette rice. [1st and 2nd images] "Omelette Rice (800 yen)" This is a simple ketchup omelette rice. The omelette is slightly runny and fluffy, with a good thickness. The rice is moist and slightly soft, with an oily ketchup flavor typical of Chinatown. It includes chicken, bacon, large onions, and even corn, making it satisfying with its generous ingredients. Although not particularly large in size, the overall oily texture leaves a sense of satisfaction after finishing it. [3rd and 4th images] "Tokihamaname Omelette Rice (850 yen)" This omelette rice is 50 yen more expensive than the regular one and features demi-glace sauce instead of ketchup. The demi-glace sauce is thick and sweet, similar to what you might find on a hamburger. The omelette rice comes with cabbage, and mixing the ample mayonnaise with the demi-glace sauce creates a nostalgic flavor, making it a recommended option for flavor variation. [5th image] "Chinese Salad (750 yen)" This salad offers a substantial amount for the price, likely enough for 2-3 people. The Chinese dressing covers ingredients such as lettuce, cabbage, green peppers, carrots, tomatoes, kamaboko, char siu, and crab sticks, giving it a luxurious feel. It reminds one of visiting a grandmother's house. Considering the volume and price, the cost performance is good. [Summary] Located just outside Higashi-Ikebukuro Station, under the elevated Metropolitan Expressway, is "San Hamaname." The first floor operates a Japanese restaurant with the same name, while the second floor, where I visited, offers Chinese cuisine, an interesting combination. As you climb the stairs, you'll be surrounded by posters of Showa-era stars and movies, feeling like you've traveled back in time. The interior matches this retro atmosphere, with comic books everywhere and plenty of movie posters, resembling a retro cafe. I visited around 8:00 pm on a weekday, and the place had only one group of customers. It's a bit far from Ikebukuro Station, so it seems like a hidden gem with fewer crowds. Moreover, they are open until 1:00 am the next day, making it a good choice for a second round when you're looking for a place to continue the conversation.

I went to Ikebukuro in the evening for some errands and decided to stop by at "San Haman" for a meal. This restaurant has two floors, with the first floor serving Japanese cuisine and the second floor serving Western and Chinese cuisine. I chose the second floor this time. It's quite rare nowadays, but smoking is allowed in all seats. I unintentionally ended up sitting at the counter, despite wanting to avoid smoke as much as possible. I intended to order the "Vegetable Tofu Ankake Don" for 800 yen (tax included), but for some reason, I ended up ordering the "Vegetable Ankake Don" instead. As a result, there was no tofu in my dish (laughs). When it came time to pay, the owner charged me 750 yen (tax included) as if nothing was wrong and gave me change. The "Vegetable Ankake Don" was mainly made up of bean sprouts in a large plate that resembled more of a rice dish than a bowl. It was tasty, but a bit lacking in some aspects. By the way, this restaurant was featured on the July 26th episode of "Moya Moya Samazuzu 2." It certainly has the vibe that would appeal to fans of that show. Next time, I'll make sure to order without any shortcuts (laughs).

I've heard too many rumors and jokes about this place that it's too scary to enter. It's a local spot frequented by older folks who like to tease, saying things like there's raw egg on the eel rice bowl, or that there's tuna in the yakisoba. It's located in an area of Ikebukuro that's quite far from the station, almost symmetrical to the west exit where I live. It's where I come when I have business at the ward office or when I'm heading to the main branch of the current Higashiikebukuro Taishoken. Sometimes I also come here when I need to take the Toden tram. The restaurant is located under the Metropolitan Expressway No. 5 near Higashi-Ikebukuro Station, with the first floor serving eel and Japanese cuisine, and the second floor serving coffee and Chinese food. I ordered the "Pork Cutlet Curry" (1,000 yen) - as shown in the photo. First, a mini salad and a small tray are served. The tray includes a mini warm somen noodle and various other items. Some items were difficult to decide whether to eat with the curry or as an appetizer. There were pickled radishes and boiled eggs, which were easy to identify, but items like celery in spicy dressing and cucumber with tartar sauce were a bit challenging. The pork cutlet curry was served in a way that didn't immediately look like curry. There were two sunny-side-up eggs and a lot of sliced vegetables. Underneath it all was the pork cutlet, which was thin and crispy. The curry sauce had a mild spice level, reminiscent of the Japanese curry I enjoyed as a child. The portion of rice was also generous. It was a hearty pork cutlet curry that I felt had good value for money. It was a fantastic dish. Now, how should I convey this to my juniors... "The pork cutlet curry has somen noodles and cucumber in it." That should be a fun way to tell them about it. By the way, I was jokingly told that the bill was one million yen. Should I tell them that too...?

Sun Hamanam Omurice 850 yen This might also fall under the category of "town cafe" genre. "Kissaten Chuka" Sun Hamanam is on the left side of the second floor, up a steep staircase. "Eel Japanese Cuisine" Sun Hamanam is on the first floor. The relationship between the two is unclear, but it is a mysterious two-story structure. Despite the typhoon, I return from a client's place soaking wet. On the way, I pass under the elevated expressway of the Metropolitan Expressway Route 5. There are many restaurants, including the long-established Tokiwa Ikebukuro Daishoken. Due to the storm, I couldn't search or check reviews on my phone. I rely on memories of something I saw or heard in the past and decide to visit. Looking at the sign outside, it seems like the first floor serves Japanese cuisine. I assume I should go to the second floor. The staircase entrance immediately transports me back to the Showa era. The view beyond the door that can be seen is also full of flavor. At this point, my mental filter is sepia-colored. As soon as I enter the restaurant, I see a counter seat right away. There are also table seats in the back. There are Hanshin Tigers goods displayed all over the restaurant. As a Giants fan, they look like vampire amulets to me. But this year, I'll keep quiet. It's my first visit, but I head to the live seat in front of the kitchen. The menu on the wall includes rice dishes, side dishes, noodles, grilled fish, and snacks, probably over 100 items. I hesitate, and the master hands me a menu from the kitchen. It says "Sun Hamanam's recommended noodles, rice 15." I can't refuse a recommendation. I choose the "Special" Hamanam Omurice. I was asked if I wanted ketchup or demi-glace sauce, and I chose demi-glace sauce. The kitchen is extremely small! The ingredients are within two steps of the refrigerator, and the cooking space is compact. The pre-cooked ketchup rice is served on a plate. Then, they crack two eggs and make an omelette to place on top. Finally, they warm up the pre-made demi-glace sauce in a Chinese wok and pour it over the omurice. With just one Chinese wok, they skillfully and quickly prepare the dish. The fluffy egg, buttery demi-glace sauce, and the thick omelette in the center due to the indentation of the wok. The tangy demi-glace sauce with a buttery aroma. The strong seasoning works well with the voluminous egg. It's relatively simple in appearance and taste, but its simplicity resonates directly with the stomach. It's more like a Chinese omurice than a Western one. There was a slight oily feeling left after eating. Despite the heavy rain, customers keep coming in. The master greets everyone with a familiar "welcome back." It seems like he has a firm grip on their stomachs. With this restaurant's atmosphere and food, it's no wonder people keep coming back if they're nearby. Thank you for the meal.

San Haman Special Omurice for 850 yen Located in Minami-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo, San Haman is a Chinese restaurant with a traditional signboard, where the second floor is a Chinese restaurant. Honestly, the food here is much more delicious than those restaurants often featured in magazines. Everything I tried was delicious. The signature omurice may look ordinary at first glance, but the taste is simply amazing. I will definitely go back again! This hidden gem of a restaurant truly impressed me. The Special Haman Omurice may look ordinary, but trust me, it's a must-try dish.

Here is the translated review: "===Om's Narrow Road=== Series===July 2020 review. Higashi-Ikebukuro. Got off at the wrong stop in Ikebukuro /(^o^)\Nantekottaai, so I ended up walking in the sweltering heat with high humidity, well, it felt somewhat cooler due to the wind, no, it's strong wind (^◇^;) I head towards this place while being played by the wind. Looking at the map, it seems to be under the viaduct, ah, over there (￣ー￣) It seems like the 2nd floor is where I should go. Climbing the stairs, I arrived at 11:30. I disinfect my hands with alcohol and am greeted warmly, so I sit at the back counter and order the "Omurice (800 yen)" that I quickly found on the menu displayed in the middle of the counter. There are no customers, it seems like it's the opening time. Soon after, a solo customer, an older man, starts to come in. Everyone seems to be ordering without looking at the menu, like regulars. Is there a lot of tanmen? The cleanliness is decent, the counter is not sticky. There is a bottle on the counter with "La-oil" written on it. Seems like a slightly mischievous shop (￣ー￣) The kitchen is run by the older man alone. The smell of ramen soup and ketchup begins to waft, and it is completed in 8 minutes. This is... demiglace, right? It's not a normal omurice, but it seems like a special Hamamatsu-style omurice. A thin omelet on top. The dish is quite stylish (￣ー￣) It is accompanied by shredded cabbage and Chinese soup. Let's dig in. The rice is tangy and salty, with a flavorful ketchup rice that is oily and sticky, with a slightly mushy finish, evenly colored, a splendid stir-fry. The sauce is a rich demiglace? I guess I've made it a special Hamamatsu-style omurice. The corn, which is a unique touch, has a distinctive flavor that comes through. It's like a refreshing agent inside the heavy omurice. The thin omelet has a moderate thickness, and it has a fluffy texture due to the oil, with a slightly salty taste that seems to have a Chinese approach. The heaviness of the rice can be reset by the shredded cabbage (￣ー￣) It seems to be lightly salted. The Western-style approach is a plus point. And the mayo is doing a good job (￣ー￣) The soup is light, but it becomes saltier, which is actually welcome during this hot lunchtime. The portion was normal, but it seemed filling due to its rich taste. I finished it without any hesitation. The bill was 850 yen, so it was indeed a "special" dish. Well, it didn't matter either way, so it's fine (^◇^;) This omurice, with its added touch of demiglace sauce and shredded cabbage, has a Western feel, while the rice and eggs have a Chinese diner-like quality. This omurice reflects the years the shop has seen, and I don't dislike this kind of omurice, I actually quite like it (￣ー￣) The service was just right, not too overbearing, so I felt comfortable. Well, to be continued."

After finishing a meeting in Ikebukuro, four colleagues went out for a meal. The exterior of the restaurant seemed a bit intimidating, but our energetic colleague O-san confidently led the way inside, and we followed. The interior had a nostalgic feel, like an old-fashioned coffee shop, and it was quite charming. We ordered soy-flavored fried chicken, which was delicious with a crispy coating. The portion was generous, so we left feeling satisfied. What was particularly nice was that a side dish was served just before the main dish, which was healthy and wonderful.

Established in 1978, this Chinese restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes including Chinese, Japanese, and Western cuisine, with over 100 items on the menu. They also serve alcohol, making it a versatile spot that can be used as both a restaurant and an izakaya. The interior is decked out in support of the Hanshin Tigers, so it's sure to be lively during baseball season. Don't miss the Sanhamayaki soba!

I visited the Chinese restaurant on the 2nd floor of San Hamanaka, while the 1st floor offers Japanese set meals. Located near Higashi-Ikebukuro Daishoken, in an area with cool and dark-looking shops under the highway. During lunchtime, the counter was packed with salarymen, making it a bit challenging for a woman dining alone. The interior was dimly lit and filled with Hanshin Tigers goods and signed memorabilia, giving off the vibe of a hidden gem. I ordered the recommended half-fried rice and Tanmen set. As the dishes arrived, I had to move to a spacious table seat due to the crowded counter. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a place where old men would linger and smoke on the sofas. The Tanmen was a delicious, lightly salted soup, and the fried rice was moist and freshly made, with ample portions. You can help yourself to water from the refrigerator's PET bottles. The friendly proprietress adds to the welcoming atmosphere, making it a great choice for those looking to enjoy authentic Chinese food in a cool setting.