This day was in Kabukicho at night. It wasn't quite late yet, and my friend and I were wandering around trying to decide what to eat. The Chinese restaurant we wanted to try was full, and we could only get a reservation at a sushi place at an odd time, so we ended up at a nostalgic turtle restaurant. I only remember coming here about 15 years ago, it was a safe choice that we used to come to occasionally. After trying the food, I couldn't help but think, "Was it always like this?" It was a bit disappointing. Thank you for the meal.

It's been about 7 years since 2016, so it's been a while. The atmosphere of the restaurant hasn't changed since it moved to a new building. All the staff are foreigners, which is unusual for a regular Japanese diner, and they stay open until 23:00. They serve home-style Japanese dishes. The daily special for 980 yen seems like a good deal. The "nira tamago-don" is a unique menu item that you can only find here. The eggplant miso dish was different from what I expected. I also added a macaroni salad for 250 yen, so the total came to 1500 yen. Maybe it's because of the high cost of living, but it's understandable.

This is my first visit to this restaurant located 7-8 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station. The exterior has a charming look to it. The interior also has a very old-fashioned atmosphere, with 2-person and 4-person table seats available. I came here aiming for the daily special set meal, which seemed cheap and worth it, but today it was pork kimchi. I decided to order the pork ginger stir-fry set meal for 1,150 yen instead. It was brought to me in 2-3 minutes, quite fast. The meal included miso soup, rice, macaroni salad, pickles, and the ginger stir-fry on a plate. A pretty substantial set meal. The miso soup was simple with silk tofu and seaweed, but unfortunately, the broth was not very flavorful, a bit disappointing. The macaroni salad was a bit small but had a homemade feel to it. The pickles were orange daikon, which went well with the rice. The rice portion was quite large, almost like a large serving by default. It was fluffy and delicious. As for the ginger stir-fry, I was surprised by the sauce. It had more garlic than ginger flavor. Even though I didn't order the pork kimchi... But it was delicious. The balance of acidity, sweetness, and spiciness was good, and the meat, although thin and firm, was good. The shredded cabbage also went well with this sauce, so I was given mayonnaise but I ate it without using it. It was a cozy diner with a warm atmosphere. I read a review mentioning that the staff were Chinese, which is different from the past. Well, I think there are some traditions that have been passed down. The sauce for the ginger stir-fry was especially good. I would like to try the daily special next time. Thank you for the meal.

This is a restaurant in Kabukicho that has been around for decades. I used to come here often 20, 30 years ago. I especially liked the miso grilled dish, and I have been coming here since before it was downsized. Now, there is no trace of the old charm, with several unknown men and women with glasses constantly talking loudly in the kitchen. It is so noisy that it feels like an Southeast Asian food stall, which I don't think is suitable for Japanese people. I thought that if they keep talking loudly in the kitchen like that, they would probably lose customers. In the past, it used to be run by middle-aged housewives and men, but now there is no sign of the old impression.

Lunch exploration in Shinjuku. I had to go to Shinjuku for some business and stumbled upon a nostalgic restaurant in the bustling Kabukicho area, filled with foreign tourists. I ordered the Ham Cutlet set for 1000 yen and an egg for 50 yen. I have visited the nostalgic Memory Lane near the West Exit a few times before, where they have a specialty dish called Soy Donburi. It's a bowl filled with simmered soybeans in curry flavor, topped with homemade ham. The counter is lined with various side dishes to choose from, making it a fun dining experience. I also visited a small shrine across from a hidden alley behind Don Quijote in Kabukicho, where I found a simple and refreshing local eatery. The menu offers classic dishes like pork ginger, curry cutlet, and tempura, typical of a local diner. I opted for the Ham Cutlet set for a bit of nostalgia. The dish arrived in about 10 minutes, with four generous pieces of crispy ham cutlets, miso soup, macaroni salad, and pickles. I added an egg to make Tamago Kake Gohan and added some kimchi furikake for extra flavor. The ham cutlet did not disappoint, delivering a cheap and delicious taste. The atmosphere was cozy, with mostly regular customers, and the portion size was quite generous. Overall, it was a satisfying meal.

Visited at 12:30 on a Saturday afternoon. Was seated immediately. Ordered the daily special set meal with extra rice. It cost 1,080 yen. The meal included fried chicken, fried squid, and a sunny-side-up egg. Also had miso soup, macaroni salad, pickles, and was very satisfied. The kimchi and sesame on the table were also good. Thank you for the meal.

I went to a restaurant in Shinjuku for the first time where you can eat set meals. When I entered the restaurant, they were filming a segment for the 6/25 broadcast of Shuichi. I asked if I could order the daily special, as I had the impression it was only available during lunchtime, and they said yes, the daily special is their specialty. I ordered the daily special set meal for 980 yen! It had a local diner vibe and the food was delicious. The grilled fish was mackerel, there was a crispy fried egg, macaroni, and a mysterious dish with salad on top of something that was mostly fried. It was surprisingly tasty. The elderly regular customers seemed to be chatting happily. Update on 6/25: On Shuichi, they showed footage from 2002 and 2023. They featured a heartwarming mom-and-pop diner in Kabukicho as part of a segment on diners with a sense of nostalgia.

Tsurukame Shokudo is a traditional Japanese diner with a nostalgic atmosphere. Here, you can enjoy delicious home-style cooking at affordable prices. The interior of the restaurant has a retro feel, creating a calm environment where you can leisurely enjoy your meal. The menu is very extensive with a wide variety of options. The staff are also very friendly, providing warm and welcoming service. It's a popular place where you can take a moment to relax and unwind. Loved by the locals, it continues to be a favorite spot for many.

I always try to eat a balanced diet, but it can be difficult. Today, I visited Tsurukame Shokudo in Shinjuku Kabukicho. The restaurant is easy to enter even for solo diners. The staff consisted of Asian foreign men in the front and two women cooking in the kitchen. I'm not a fan of fried food, so I debated between stir-fry or fish and ended up choosing the meat and vegetable stir-fry set meal. It was served in about 10 minutes after ordering. The flavor of the meat and vegetables was just right, not too strong or too light, and went well with the rice. The quality of the rice seemed a bit poor, but still edible. I hope these kinds of set meal restaurants continue to thrive.

Kabukicho, the largest entertainment district in Japan. A popular old-fashioned diner located in Kabukicho, also found in Omoide Yokocho. I decided to try it for the first time. I sat at a table. It was lunchtime, but the crowd was moderate. The menu offers a variety of set meals and a la carte dishes, but for a retro diner, the prices seemed a bit high. However, considering it's located right in the heart of Kabukicho, it's understandable. I asked about the daily special, which was pork miso stir-fry and ham and eggs. The ham and eggs had that classic diner feel, so I chose that. I ordered a bottle of beer to enjoy while waiting. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was more like an old-fashioned diner from the Showa era rather than a typical retro style. When the set meal arrived, I opted for a smaller portion for a discount. I started with the pork miso stir-fry, which was delicious. The ham and eggs were simple but tasty. They paired well with the beer. After finishing my beer, I focused on the rice. The pork miso stir-fry was a great match with the rice. The meal also came with miso soup, pickles, and a generous serving of cabbage with a large dollop of mayonnaise. It was a simple and nostalgic lunch experience.

On a regular night, second visit. There was one customer before me. The service was friendly and when my water ran out, it was quickly refilled. The menu had a decent variety. After some consideration, I ordered the fried horse mackerel set for 1,000 yen. The taste was good. The fact that there was seasoning on the table was a nice touch. The daily special set menu also seemed like a good deal. Maybe I should have ordered that. A rare find in Shinjuku, a restaurant that is good for everyday use.

I arrived at Tsurukame Shokudo near Sakuragicho station, but there were only strange touts and a strange atmosphere on Gorilla Road. I went into the restaurant and ordered the Pork Cutlet Curry for 880 yen including tax, and added a raw egg for 50 yen. The atmosphere inside was calm, with customers quietly eating. The Pork Cutlet in the curry was a bit tough, but the homemade macaroni salad and complimentary pickles were appreciated. Overall, I quietly enjoyed my meal and left after paying.

After training in Nishi-Shinjuku, I headed to Kabukicho for a post-workout meal at the popular diner "Tsurukame Shokudo". I ordered the bitter melon stir-fry set with a substitution of barley rice and an addition of chilled tofu. The tofu was soft and the taste was slightly different from bitter melon stir-fry, but still delicious! The prices have increased significantly this month, attracting mainly foreign tourists who can take advantage of the weak yen. Personally, I wish they would stay open a little longer, not necessarily 24 hours like a god seat, but just a bit longer.

I came here for the first time in over 10 years. I used to come late at night, but the closing time has become earlier, so I couldn't visit for a while. Today's daily special set meal was miso-flavored grilled meat with ham and egg, plus a side dish, and I added natto. Located in Kabukicho, it is reasonable and has a good portion size. This must be the go-to place for set meals in Kabukicho!

After tonight's training, I enjoyed a nostalgic meal at the Tsurukame Shokudo in Shinjuku Kabukicho. I savored the fried rice, ginger pork, and tofu hot pot. It was incredibly delicious! I still remember the sight of the old lady who used to work until dawn 20 years ago, bringing her own special soy sauce to use.

Holiday around 6pm, no wait, 2 customers inside. People come and go regardless of age or gender. It's not an izakaya, but a regular diner. Ordered a draft beer, quickly served. Then ordered potato salad, nikujaga, and mapo eggplant. Ordered a bottle of beer midway. Everything was served quickly, very stress-free. The interior is like an old-fashioned diner, calm and relaxing. A rare space in Kabukicho where you can unwind. The taste is slightly below average, but considering the location, the cost performance is reasonable. The nikujaga and mapo eggplant portions were satisfying. Maybe just one of them would have been enough. The bottled beer was Asahi, no complaints. A perfect place to take a break and have a drink in Kabukicho. Thank you for the meal.

Tonight's dinner was at the long-standing set meal restaurant "Tsurukame Shokudo" in the heart of Kabukicho. I had the grilled Pacific saury set meal with cold tofu, a dish similar to Goya champuru with sautéed bitter melon. I opted for extra large portions of barley rice due to the intense physical fatigue from judo and Sambo training. It was incredibly delicious!

I wandered around Kabukicho after a long time, and the sign of Tsurukame Shokudo caught my eye. Twenty years ago, it was a strong contender as a 24-hour diner where you could always go for a meal. The place was always bustling with people, including staff from nearby host clubs and adult entertainment establishments. The legendary mama-san, who used to run around the restaurant like a robot until morning, is no longer there, which is quite sad. Nowadays, due to shortened business hours, the diner closes at 10:30 pm, losing its charm as a late-night hangout spot. It had been about 10 years since I last visited, and upon entering, I was greeted by energetic foreign staff. The menu remained largely unchanged, featuring dishes like ginger pork, stir-fried vegetables, grilled mackerel with salt, and rolled omelette. I ordered ginger pork and rolled omelette for old times' sake. The taste was exactly the same as before. The ginger pork, with its strong ginger flavor and subtle sweetness, can only be found at Tsurukame Shokudo and Shinjuku Yodobashi Market's diners. The rolled omelette had a simple flavor of salt and water. Absolutely delicious! I will definitely come back. Even though it seems to be run solely by foreign staff now, I hope they will continue to operate 24 hours a day.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Kabukicho, there is a nostalgic restaurant. I ordered the pork ginger set meal. Many regular customers were seen, some ordering their own original dishes. The pork slices were slightly small but well-seasoned with a strong soy sauce flavor. There was no background music in the restaurant, only the sound of cooking and conversation, creating a truly calming atmosphere. It felt like there were various emotions and stories behind the customers visiting, beyond just the quality of the food.

When it comes to traditional public eateries in Kabukicho, this place stands out. The "Tsurukame Shokudo Kabukicho Branch" was established in 1956. For over 60 years, it has been operating in the heart of Kabukicho without changing, which is quite remarkable. Due to its location, it usually stays open until 11 pm. Interestingly, there seems to be a connection between this Tsurukame Shokudo and the one in Omoidenokoji on the west side, as both were owned by siblings. However, their menu compositions are different. The Omoidenokoji branch is known for its "Soi Don" curry dish, while the Kabukicho branch offers "Katsu Curry," although it's not listed on the table menu. The Katsu Curry costs ¥950, with an option for a small rice portion for an additional ¥50. The presentation of the dish on a stainless steel plate exudes a nostalgic Showa era vibe. The curry is on the watery side, likely catering to the late-night revelers in the area. The thinly sliced fried pork cutlet is crispy and not greasy, paired perfectly with cabbage, pickles, and macaroni salad. This Katsu Curry is a perfect match for the Kabukicho nightlife, as it won't leave you feeling heavy. You can even order less rice to make it a suitable meal to end a night of drinking. The longevity of this establishment speaks volumes about its quality. At the time of payment, I noticed a sign at the counter expressing wishes for peace in Myanmar. It turns out one of the staff members is from Myanmar. Despite being in Kabukicho, there is no hint of danger, making it a peaceful oasis. Truly, a cultural treasure in Kabukicho.