Hidden gem in a back alley with a fantastic atmosphere. The retro interior and 80s nostalgic music create a unique vibe. The food is excellent, especially the white liver pate. A must-visit spot in Nakano! I had 3 glasses of wine along with fig and prosciutto, cheese gnocchi, and a small portion of liver pate, all for 5,000 yen.

Intrigued by the phrase "Nakano alley Italian," I visited the restaurant. My husband was puzzled by the sign saying "Beijing," but I had done my research, so no problem (laughs). The evolution of the restaurant that has operated in this area is interesting. I had never visited the previous restaurant, so this was truly my first visit. The whole area has a sort of abandoned feel, and Nakano has these kinds of hidden gems, so there's still much to discover. Upon entering, the owner greeted us cheerfully (could it be Mr. Koike? lol). We were asked about smoking preference and led to a table on the first floor. There seemed to be seating on the second floor as well, as we could hear the owner energetically going up and down the stairs. I assume the second floor is the smoking area. It said day drinking was okay, so I was a bit worried if lunch only would be fine at this time of year, but it seemed like more than half of the customers were there for lunch, so that was a relief. The lunch menu had six options, with a focus on pasta as expected from an Italian restaurant, but also including curry and fried chicken, showing a wide range. The handwritten menu without photos made me think it might change regularly. The mention of using Oyama local chicken for the fried chicken caught my attention, but being a fan of curry at Italian and French restaurants, I went for the "51k Special Curry." My husband hesitated between the fried chicken and the "Bacon and Maitake Mushroom Japanese-style Pasta" (it takes courage to go beyond the allure of fried chicken, lol). Lunch came with a soft drink, so I chose orange juice and grapefruit juice. We were asked if we wanted the appetizer before or after the meal, and since it seemed like a one-person operation, I asked for it before, and it was served promptly! It was a hot day, so it was nice to be able to enjoy our drinks while waiting. About five minutes after the drinks were served, the pasta salad arrived (the curry also came on a single plate with salad). Bread was also included, which was a nice touch! About 10 minutes later, the pasta arrived, with plenty of bacon and shimeji mushrooms, and a good portion size. However, it was dry pasta and not really al dente, so I had doubts about it being truly Italian. The curry was surprisingly served in a large plate with lots of meat chunks. There was also a soft-boiled egg on top, but it wasn't as much as it looked, and it was surprisingly easy to eat. The presentation and plating were Italian-like, but the curry itself was more like what you would find at a yakiniku restaurant (I do like curry at yakiniku restaurants). I had imagined a tomato-based curry or something from the Italian-sounding name, but it turned out to be a meaty curry! I might have raised my expectations based on the Italian name, but based on the lunch menu, it seemed more like a Western-style diner in terms of taste and offerings. Perhaps the authentic Italian menu is more a la carte. The price with the drink included was reasonable for lunch these days. I was able to use PayPay ★ During our stay, more and more customers arrived, mostly young women, which was impressive. It seemed like there were many regulars as well. The popularity of being able to dine in the unique atmosphere of an alley in Nakano might be one of the reasons for its appeal!

I visited for lunch. It was located deep in Nakano, and I was surprised to find it in such a place. The interior was playing Yumi Matsutoya's songs, creating a great atmosphere. The food was delicious and satisfying in terms of portion for lunch. The staff were friendly and seemed to enjoy their work, which made the dining experience even better. I definitely want to come back again!

This Italian restaurant opened in February this year. It is located a short walk from Nakano Station North Exit, in a back alley near Broadway. The appetizers, main dishes, and pasta are all delicious, and they also offer a variety of wines, so wine lovers can enjoy as well. They also serve lunch, and according to those who have been there, the curry is very delicious. I definitely want to try their lunch menu as well.

I visited this restaurant for the second time, and it was my first time at night. The liver pate was extremely rich and fluffy, and very delicious. The staff helped me choose a wine that suited my taste. They were very friendly and welcoming, even though I ended up quite drunk that night. The cozy atmosphere made me want to come back often in the evenings.

I visited on Saturday evening. Nakano Station was having a festival, but I was able to enter without waiting. I thought I was going to PEP from the previous store, but it had changed to 51K, which I noticed after entering and looking at the menu. However, the food I ate was very delicious! The atmosphere inside the restaurant was cozy and stylish, with the lighting adjusting to the brightness outside. The "Waponata" was a perfect cold dish for summer, very refreshing and tasty. The braised beef cheek was so tender and delicious! Although it was not the original restaurant I intended to visit, I still enjoyed the food. There was no sense of disappointment! Instead, it felt like a stroke of luck to have found a good restaurant!

I was moved by the handmade sign of PEP, a newly born Italian cardboard, after leaving Beijing Pavilion, and decided to have lunch there. It was 13:30, a bit late for lunch, but there were about 3 groups in the restaurant. I ordered the special curry for 1,000 yen, which came with appetizers, salad, and a drink. It took a bit of time because the entire operation, including cooking and serving, was done by one person, but the staff apologized for the wait. The dish was served on a large plate with appetizers, salad, and a sunny-side-up egg - a very luxurious one-plate meal. The curry was slightly spicy and full of ingredients. There was plenty of rice, so I was very satisfied. It was delicious.

Next to the ruins of the World Kaikan, also known as Nakano Kita-guchi, Nakano 55 Street (Nakano 5-55), and the Kowloon Castle of Nakano, I visited 51K. This place used to be the first "Beijing-tei" and then the second "PEP" before changing its name to 51K. The owner's name seems to be "Koike". The interior is surprisingly stylish, with a bar-like atmosphere. I sat on the first floor, where there are a few counter seats and small tables. I ordered a half Caesar salad and sautéed fillet of natural sea bream with crispy skin. The Caesar salad was not what I expected, as it was made with romaine lettuce instead of cabbage, lightly seared with Caesar dressing, cheese, and bacon. Despite being a half portion, it was satisfying and delicious. The sautéed sea bream had a crispy skin with a fragrant spice, and the flesh was juicy and perfectly cooked. The sauce made with Cambozola cheese and anchovies was incredibly tasty. It was a delightful experience, and I will definitely visit again. Thank you for the meal.

Near Nakano Broadway, the sign hasn't been changed yet, but an Italian restaurant is open and I visited. There are two floors, and this time I used the counter on the first floor. I had plans afterwards, so I only had pasta, but there was also a menu for alcohol, making it a convenient place. The pasta had a Japanese-style taste with bacon and mushrooms, and the quality was perfect in terms of cooking and seasoning. I would like to visit again when I have time at night.

First, take a look at the 5th exterior photo. What do you think the name of this restaurant is? Most people would probably say it's a Chinese restaurant called "Beijing." However, unfortunately, that's incorrect. It's actually the sign of a restaurant called "Peking-tei" that had been in business at this location for about 50 years, with the "tei" character missing. So, you might think the name below it, "PEP," is the restaurant, but that's also wrong. It was the name of a bistro that came after "Peking-tei," which has since closed down. By the way, the menu written on the blackboard on the left is from the time of "PEP." The current restaurant operating here is "51K," as written on the cardboard stuck to the door. It's not a temporary arrangement or a prank, but a legitimate business. I ordered the 51K Special Curry (tax included 1,000 yen) and a draft beer/Carlsberg (tax included 480 yen) for lunch. After a while, a plate over 30cm in diameter arrived, making me think I had accidentally walked into a restaurant known for its large portions. However, the rice was only a quarter of the plate, so the amount was reasonable. The curry had a European style with a demiglace sauce flavor. The ingredients seemed to be onions and pork belly, but if I'm mistaken, I apologize. It tasted slightly salty to me, but I could tell it was a curry that had been cooked for a long time. The price of 1,000 yen, which included an ice coffee the same size as the water, seemed reasonable considering the current high prices. Now, the name of the restaurant mentioned at the beginning, "51K," is pronounced as "koike." And so, the meaning of the title of this review is finally revealed.