At Tama Zoological Park in Hino, Tokyo, my family had lunch at the only restaurant, Tama Zoological Park Africa Park Rest Area. We arrived just after 11 am to secure a seat, anticipating it would get crowded. As expected, a line started forming to enter the restaurant. The menu was somewhat limited, offering curry, hashed beef rice, pork bowl, meat sauce, and carbonara. I was tempted by the curry, but I was curious about the Tokyo X pork braised pork bowl. I wondered why Tokyo X was chosen. Also, what is the difference between items labeled "ZOO Original" and those that are not? Is the pork bowl not original? The Tokyo X braised pork bowl cost 1,100 yen and came with beer. The pork was well stewed, tender, and flavorful without being greasy. The braised pork had a nice balance of fat, which can sometimes be overpowering, but this one was just right. The sweet braised sauce was not too heavy, and the crunchy and fragrant komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) added a nice touch. Apart from the soft rice, I think this dish is one of the tastier options you can have at a food court. It would be great if the poor reception improved. I've always thought that it would be interesting if an incredibly delicious restaurant opened in a place like this, attracting visitors to the zoo just for the restaurant. I remembered a pizza place at a ski resort in Niigata that was so delicious it was unforgettable, and it made me ponder such possibilities.

This is a self-service restaurant located inside the zoo. There were some bugs flying around inside the restaurant, but it's understandable since it's inside the zoo. Overall, I thought it was clean enough for a dining facility within the zoo. However, the only disappointing thing was the seaweed. It is laser-cut to form the symbol of the African area of the zoo, the "Lion Bus," which gives the seaweed a strange taste. It smells burnt or chemical-like, quite a peculiar taste. There is a note explaining this as well. Because of this, the seaweed comes in a separate package. So, if you prioritize taste, it's better not to put it on your dish. If you prioritize appearance, then go ahead and use it. Just putting it on won't change the taste of the dish.

I visited Tama Zoological Park with my friend and decided to have a light meal. I ordered the beef curry, while my friend had the black vinegar fried chicken bowl with extra fried chicken. It was a busy day at the zoo, so we decided to eat at an outdoor table since the weather was nice. The beef curry, despite being from a retort pouch, was surprisingly delicious with large chunks of meat and a deep, spicy flavor. It came with Italian parsley and pickles as sides. The curry was quite tasty and had a slightly cilantro-like flavor from the pickles. Even though it was retort curry, it tasted quite authentic. My friend's black vinegar fried chicken bowl was also delicious, with the vegetables and fried chicken on top complementing each other well. The fried chicken was crispy and freshly cooked. Don't underestimate the zoo restaurant; the food was really good. Thank you for the meal! 🍽️👏

Outing with friends and family! Tama Zoological Park is nostalgic. I used to play here a lot when I was little. The zoo was crowded on a holiday! Families, couples, tourists... There were also quite a few amateur photographers with single-lens reflex cameras taking pictures. I guess the restaurants in zoos and aquariums are mostly not that great, but oh well... However, the meat spaghetti here was different. The noodles were cooked just right and the meat sauce was delicious. It had a nice tomato flavor and the texture of the ground meat was good. The sauce was also generous and satisfying. It might be the first time I thought lunch at a zoo was delicious. It's nice to visit the zoo after a long time!

Tama Zoological Park in Hino City, Tokyo. The park is divided into four sections: African Zone, Asian Zone, Australian Zone, and Insectarium. This is a free rest area/self-service restaurant located in the African Zone area, the only restaurant in the park. The menu includes simple items such as curry rice, hamburger, and ramen. They have udon but no soba. They also offer draft beer and a local beer called "Tama no Megumi." The chicken cutlet curry seems more like "where's the chicken?" but it's not bad. The highlight is the Honey Kumquat Ginger Ale, which is quite tasty. Overall, the food is nothing special, but it's what you would expect from this type of cafeteria. However, the parents of children visiting the park should be more considerate of others and not be too loud or disruptive. In that aspect, this restaurant fails. It would be better if the park had more solid dining options for visitors who plan to spend half a day there. The mismatch in expectations between the management and visitors regarding the quality of the dining facilities needs to be addressed.

Papa and Son's Outing Series Next to the Giraffe and Zebra Release Area in the African Park, on the way to the African Park from the entrance gate. It is a free rest area. Inside the building, there are many tables and chairs for children. It is a self-service restaurant where you order and pay at the register, receive a number tag, and wait for your order to be ready. You can take utensils like chopsticks and spoons from the counter, and when your order is ready, you will be called to pick up your tray and go to your seat. Don't forget to return your tray to the designated area after you finish eating. My son had ramen, and I had a "Vegetable-packed Black Vinegar Chicken Bowl" (680 yen). The seaweed on the ramen used to be printed, but now it is cut out with a laser. My son didn't mind soaking it in the soup (＞＜). The chicken bowl had a generous amount of daikon radish on top. It doesn't have much flavor on its own, so it's best enjoyed with the black vinegar sauce underneath. Despite being black vinegar, it's not very sour, so even kids should be fine with it. The rice also has this flavor, so you might get tired of it? The chicken was juicy and would go well with beer (＾＾

I visited this place on Saturday afternoon, located inside Tama Zoological Park. I was tired from walking and decided to take a break. I looked at the menu and chose the Fondant Chocolat set (500 yen). The Fondant Chocolat is 380 yen by itself, but when you get the set, you also get a drink. I ordered a Calpis Water with it. My husband opted for the Lion Berry Sundae (380 yen). After paying, we secured our seats and soon our dishes arrived. The Fondant Chocolat was rich and delicious. The Lion Berry Sundae is a summer limited edition made with blueberries from Hino and three types of gelato ice cream. It looks adorable! It was a tasty meal. Thank you. August 16, 2014. Eating and wandering.

Located near the Lion Bus in Tama Zoological Park, there is the Tama Zoological Park Africa Enclosure Rest Area. This restaurant (rest area) has the most extensive menu in the park, offering curry, pasta, and ramen, making it very popular. The restaurant is quite spacious, but it fills up quickly during lunchtime. However, since it is a cash-on system, the orders are prepared quickly. I ordered the Ramen Set, which comes with soy sauce ramen, spring rolls, and pork buns. The ramen had a nostalgic taste to it, and I don't mind the Naruto-style toppings. Personally, I recommend visiting outside of lunch hours for a more enjoyable experience.

I came to Tama Zoological Park, which may be my first time ever, with great excitement. It's like a mountain disguised as a zoo, where you have to burn fat to see the giraffes or elephants. With a one-year-old child in tow and no stroller, it's like a diet zoo experience. It's a fun and exhausting day out, with orangutans walking tightropes on mountain peaks and skinny people dancing around. Remember that time they put a Tosa dog face to face with a lion and it just ran away with its tail between its legs? That's how I feel when I see animals at the zoo. Matsushima Tomoko got bitten twice and is still alive, maybe she's beyond human. Now, time to burn some calories and achieve my real goal. Maybe it's a three-in-one kind of day, but hey, let's go with the flow. Remembering the good old days of Nandemo Kandemo, my enthusiasm might be dwindling, leading to a sad outcome. So, let's capture this moment in a photo album and call it a day. A day where most of what a simple person like me wishes for comes true. It's not about winning, but participating. Despite the homework waiting for me in Minamiosawa, with kids around, I can't throw a tantrum, so I'll just enjoy my drink. Unlike those who were born as otaku, I'm not used to eating dishes like this. Anyway, it was a fulfilling day. Now, you guys take the train home, while I jog back to fulfill my weekend duties. Don't worry, I'll be drooling on the train ride back.

I visited Tama Zoological Park in December. I received an entrance ticket from a newspaper shop. The train on the branch line from Takahata-Fudo Station is wrapped with animal illustrations, which adds to the excitement even for adults. I entered through a large elephant monument. Since we left home late, we first had lunch at the restaurant "Africa Park Rest Area". We ordered ○ Kenchin Udon for 680 yen and ○ Hamburger Lunch Plate for 800 yen, as they had vegetable options. When your number is called at the cashier, you go to the counter to pick up your food. Kenchin Udon is convenient as my daughter can eat it by herself with a fork. The noodles had a good texture and the broth was delicious. The carrots and radishes were soft. The hamburger in the lunch plate had a good flavor with coarsely ground meat. Although it felt a bit pricey, I thought the taste was satisfactory for a public zoo restaurant. If I had one suggestion, it would be to use reusable dishes for sharing food instead of disposable paper ones, especially since there are many families with children. It would be a good way to convey the importance of environmental conservation, given that it is a facility that promotes nature conservation.

Ordered curry. It was so crowded on a weekend afternoon. The turnover seemed fine, and the staff were efficient, but the line was just crazy. I felt it would be safer to bring a bento box. The taste was average. It felt like they just added toppings. Since there is hardly any shade, I think it's risky to line up in the summer, so take precautions!!!! There are parking lots scattered around, but the prices vary, so it's better to check carefully before entering. Naturally, the ones near the zoo are more expensive, so if it's not summer, finding a cheaper spot is a good deal. In the summer, considering walking is best... but for adults, Tama Zoological Park is limited to nights, right? ^^

Today, I went to Tama Zoological Park with my child. It's a bit chilly but the clear blue sky feels nice. First, I went to the insectarium to relax. It's a place where butterflies and grasshoppers roam freely. The beautiful butterflies were soothing to see. Next, I headed to the African Zone to grab a bite to eat. I saw a cheetah with beautiful spot patterns up close, and the giant African elephant was impressive. I also found comfort in seeing the baby giraffe "Yurara". I decided to add some warm side dishes to my lunch. I stopped by the "Africa Zone Rest Area" for lunch. I arrived at 11:10 am and there was a line of over 20 people. It's no surprise since it's the middle of Golden Week. I waited in line and carefully chose my menu items. I purchased "French Fries (280 yen)", "Clam Chowder (300 yen)", and "Ramen (680 yen)". The ramen came in a white bowl, just like the old days. The ingredients were all top-notch and it had a sense of stability. The nori with a lion bus design was a local topping. The pink swirl naruto was beautiful. I enjoyed the light soy sauce flavor of the soup. The noodles were springy and smooth. The texture and flavor of the bamboo shoots were surprisingly good. The chashu was quite thick and had a chewy texture. It was very satisfying to eat. The French fries were perfect with beer. The clam chowder was on the thin side. Once you've tasted Costco's clam chowder, it might feel a bit lacking. Overall, I would say it's a classic bowl of light soy sauce ramen with a lion bus pattern nori. Thank you for the meal.

On Sunday afternoon, I had some errands to run at Tama Zoological Park. During lunchtime, I stopped by the "Africa Garden Rest Area" within the zoo. It was crowded due to the zoo being busy, and I found myself waiting in line. After a while, I finally placed my order at the counter. The menu had typical zoo food, but I decided to go with the "Kenchin Udon Set" (880 yen). I also ordered a local beer called "Tama no Megumi" (500 yen) as a drink, along with some snacks like "Fried Potatoes" (280 yen) and "Chicken Karaage" (350 yen). After paying, I received a number tag and had to wait for my order. Finally, my Kenchin Udon was ready, and I quickly brought it to the table. I slurped up the udon first, which had a zoo-like taste. The local beer was delicious, and I was glad I also ordered the chicken Karaage. I would definitely visit again when I'm in the mood for an African vibe.

Finally, the new year has begun! The director also returned to work on the 2nd. Although it is a zoo, the insect park inside is quite impressive. In the insect ecology park, butterflies flutter around, and grasshoppers are everywhere. In the main insect park building, you can see leaf-cutter ants cutting leaves live. You can also play with stick insects, which you don't often see. In the monkey mountain, there were many monkeys with hair loss, maybe due to aging or stress. Malayan tapir. I think I saw it at Negishi Zoo a long time ago. Indian rhinoceros. I like rhinoceros because they look like dinosaurs. So, feeling hungry, I had lunch at the "African Park Rest Area" in the zoo. The "Hamburger Lunch Plate" was probably made by a catering company. However, it was served with watercress, which was nice. The "Tsukemen" had an artificial-looking boiled egg... It seemed like the yolk and white were made separately and combined. It was a bit creepy... like the artificial eggs in a certain neighboring country... The dipping sauce felt very commercial, but it had chunks of chicken and the taste was not bad. The "Curry Udon and Mini Chinese Rice Bowl Set" had a safe taste. The rice was a bit off... not good. But in terms of cost performance, this set might be good. After filling our stomachs, we explored the wide zoo grounds. As evening approached, the giraffes, eager to go home, became restless. The patterns on zebras are really well done. Rosy pelican. Shoebill. And so, the curtain rises on the year of the snake. *I have removed the photos of the animals. If you would like to see them, please visit the blog.

Visiting Time 13:30 ■Appearance The shop is located inside Tama Zoological Park with a simple glass exterior and two entrances. There is a space next to the shop for strollers, and it seems that they generally do not allow strollers inside. ■Interior The building seems new and clean, with a sense of cleanliness. You order at a counter like a fast-food place, receive a ticket, and wait to be called. The tables are neatly arranged, giving off a cafeteria vibe. There is also outdoor seating available. You can freely drink water. ■Food There are not many food options, including snacks, rice bowls, and noodles. - Pork Cutlet Curry The curry is neatly presented with two pork cutlets. The meat is tender but the quality is average. The curry is dark in color, with finely chopped ingredients that are almost melted, making it hard to distinguish. It has a distinctive acidity and sweetness with a moderate level of spiciness, which may not be suitable for children. - Udon Set A summer-style cold udon dish with grated yam rice. ◇Udon The dish includes three chicken tempura rolls with shiso leaves, radish, carrot, daikon sprouts, and watercress, with a lemon garnish. A sweet soy-based sauce is poured over it, but there is no dashi flavor. The noodles are nothing special. The refreshing taste is perfect for hot summer days. ◇Grated Yam Rice The dish comes with a generous amount of grated yam topped with seaweed. It is already seasoned, making it easy to eat with the udon. A great set for summer. ■Drinks - Not mentioned ■Staff There are at least four staff inside and one outside. It is mostly self-service, but staff are nearby and will help with cleaning if the timing is right. Most of the staff are likely part-time workers, and there were no particularly negative impressions. Since many children visit the place, a bit more smiling from the staff wouldn't hurt. ■Recommendation - Udon Set There are several rest areas inside the park, each with slightly different menus, but this one seems to be the most fulfilling. The prices are somewhat high, but the portions are generous, making it feel worth it. There are not many dining options nearby once you leave the facility, so it might be a good idea to have a meal here.

May 31, 2012 ☆ Tama Zoological Park Africa Park Rest Area ~ in Hino City ~ ☆ Theme: ☆ restaurant ☆ ☆ Tama Zoological Park Africa Park Rest Area ☆ Location 7-1-1 Hodo, Hino City, Tokyo 10 minutes walk from Tama Zoological Park Station Cuisine & Taste The hamburger lunch plate is soft and juicy, which I think is a good taste for a restaurant in the zoo. The shrimp fry, salad, and rice are all on one plate, and the presentation is cute. Atmosphere The space between tables is slightly narrow, but each table is reasonably spacious. The glass sides make the interior very bright. The zebra-patterned chairs add to the zoo-like atmosphere (there are also plain chairs available). There are also chairs for children. Service Basically, it is self-service where you purchase a ticket first and then hand it to the staff at the counter. You are given a number, and when called, you go to pick up your order. The waiting time is short, and the staff's service was polite. Overall Today's choice menu Lunch plate ~ Food Blog ~

(2012/4/19) and (2012/4/20) I visited this restaurant for lunch on two consecutive weekdays. Both days, I went around 2pm. It was crowded with families and student groups during lunchtime, but since I went at a different time, it was not as busy. I ordered at the counter, paid, received a number tag, and waited for my order to be called. The restaurant had table seating and a free resting area, which may explain why it tends to get crowded with people not necessarily eating. - Hamburg Lunch Plate for 800 yen: The plate included a demi-glace sauce hamburger, rice, mini salad, potato fries, and shrimp fry. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was. The hamburger had a homemade texture and juiciness. There were shredded fried burdock on top of the rice, adding a nice touch. - Western-style Beef Curry for 800 yen: I chose this curry from the three options available. It was also very tasty. Unlike the typical frozen or retort curry often served at places like zoos, this curry had a good amount of beef chunks and was clearly made with effort. It was served with pickled vegetables like cabbage instead of the usual fukujinzuke. The presentation of the dishes was also commendable.

I visited during the daytime on a weekday. I arrived just before lunchtime, so I was able to find a seat without waiting. It started to get crowded quickly, so it might be better to avoid peak meal times even on weekdays. I ordered the pork cutlet curry, omurice with hashed beef, and kenchin udon. I received an order ticket and waited a bit. The taste was neither good nor bad, just average like a typical set meal restaurant. The prices were also typical of a set meal restaurant, so if you want to eat something delicious, it might be better to leave the park and try somewhere else. Within the park, there were only light snacks available at rest areas, and this restaurant seemed to be the only place where you could have a proper meal.