I stopped by the university cafeteria at the University of Tokyo because there was an event going on. I forgot to take a photo, and when I went back in the evening, it was already closed. You can choose two side dishes and one small dish for around 500 yen for a set meal. You can eat there even if you're not a cooperative member. The taste is average, but it seems like it will make you smarter.

Today's lunch was at Ginkyo Metro Shokudo. They have original menu items named Sanshiro Noodles and Mineko Noodles, inspired by Natsume Soseki's novel "Sanshiro." I tried the Mineko Noodles, which are topped with a generous amount of sauce, but the noodles were a bit disappointing. Interestingly, this cafeteria has sunken kotatsu seating, which is rare for a school cafeteria.

I started my new year's work and have been busy lately. Today, I went out for lunch alone. I went to Ginkgo Metro Shokudo in the University of Tokyo campus for the first time in a while. There, I saw a menu called "TFT Healthy Menu" which I didn't quite understand. It seemed like a good deal with a generous portion, so I decided to order it without knowing what the abbreviation meant. The TFT Healthy Menu includes chicken meatballs and winter vegetable hot pot set. The chicken meatballs looked delicious. While eating, I looked up the meaning of "TFT" on my phone. It stands for Table For Two, which is an NPO. Their motto is "Promoting health for University of Tokyo students and providing meals for children in Africa." For every meal, 20 yen is donated as a school meal fee for children in Africa. I think it's a wonderful initiative. The eggplant was delicious. I also got plenty of vegetables in my meal. (^^)

Since the cafeteria in the basement of Yasuda Auditorium is closed for construction, I sometimes come here. I've made a habit of ordering the parent and child bowl. They cook chicken, onions, and eggs right in front of you after you order. You can also adjust the amount of rice (at the register). They finish it off by generously sprinkling nori on top. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to eat Akamon Ramen, but it seems like I can have it here. Thank you for the meal.

This is a cafeteria located along the ginkgo tree-lined path from the main gate of the University of Tokyo to the Yasuda Auditorium, on the right side when facing the main gate (in the Law and Literature Building). The building was constructed very robustly as a lesson from the Great Kanto Earthquake, and has been used as a place of learning for the Law and Literature faculties for over half a century. It was designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 1998. The cafeteria is popular among students who will potentially be near positions of power in the future due to the elite nature of the university. The entrance is a bit hard to find, marked by a small sign saying "Ginkgo Metro Cafeteria" near the Yasuda Auditorium. Inside, there are tatami seating areas which are quite popular among the students. The menu includes dishes like curry and pork cutlet curry, with prices similar to other cafeterias nearby. The food is decent, but lacks a bit of excitement in terms of flavor. The cafeteria is open until 8 pm, offering different menu options after 3 pm. It's a good place to observe and interact with the students, who sometimes engage in interesting discussions. Overall, it's a good environment for students, but may not be the best choice for the general public.

I had a little argument with my daughter and ended up not going to the Western-style restaurant in Okachimachi as planned, but for some reason, we ended up at the University of Tokyo's cafeteria. I had always wanted to go there at least once, so I was a bit nervous. Contrary to my imagination of a beautiful terrace, I had to go downstairs and found the cafeteria underground. I decided on the "Akamon Set" from the displayed menu, bought a meal ticket at the register, and surprisingly, I could use my Suica card (PASMO was also accepted). I chose the small size of rice (paid ¥340) and picked up my tray, lined up at the place where the set meals were served, and got my side dishes. I found a seat and enjoyed my meal. Everything was warm and tasted better than the price suggested, although it was funny that the chicken cutlet had a cut mark but was not actually cut through. There are cafeterias in other locations as well, so I would like to explore them again sometime! (≧▽≦)

[Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku] On May 20, 2015 (Wednesday), there is a university co-op cafeteria at the University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus. It is open to anyone, not just university staff or co-op members. There are four co-op-operated cafeterias at the University of Tokyo (Hongo): the central cafeteria, which is like a fortress located underground in the Yasuda Auditorium, the second cafeteria located towards the University Hospital, the Faculty of Agriculture cafeteria, and this "Gingko・Metro" cafeteria. In addition to the co-op, there are also restaurants such as "Forest," "Camellia at Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo," "Hibiya Matsumotoro Grill," "Capo Pelicano," the long-standing "Kawana Shokudo," "Harmony," cafeterias within the University Hospital, UT Cafe, Subway, Starbucks, and more. The expansion of these dining options seems to have accelerated due to the nationalization of universities. The roots of Gingko・Metro can be traced back to the "First Cafeteria" opened at the University of Tokyo the year after the end of World War II (1946). The name of the cafeteria may have been derived from its location near the Gingko tree-lined street and its underground setting. Interestingly, even before Tokyo Metro was known as "Eidan Subway," they had already adopted the name "Metro." The cafeteria is open on weekdays from 11 am to 8 pm and closed on weekends and holidays. Compared to the central cafeteria and the second cafeteria, the prices here are slightly higher, positioning it as a slightly more upscale cafeteria, as far as I remember. However, looking at the menu composition again, it doesn't seem to have that kind of vibe (^-^;) The location is a 10-minute walk from the Marunouchi Line Hongo-sanchome Station. Enter from the "main gate," not the Akamon gate, and walk straight along the Gingko tree-lined street. Before reaching the Yasuda Auditorium, enter the Faculty of Law and Literature Building 2 on the right and go down the stairs to the basement. It's a dark and old area, but since there are many users, you can enter with peace of mind. Opposite the cafeteria is the co-op's purchasing department (store). There are also a photo shop, a thesis binding shop, and circle notice boards nearby. Upon entering, you will see a sample case on your right. The menu is broadly divided into noodle dishes and set meals. There are also curry and rice bowl options. Various side dishes can be chosen as a single item menu (salad, small side dishes). The set meals range from ¥390 to ¥550 and six options are available. Since they change daily, check today's menu here and choose carefully. While the central cafeteria has a menu item called "Akamon Ramen," a typical University of Tokyo dish, there doesn't seem to be such a specialty menu item here. By the way, a simple ramen with only green onions costs ¥240... Alcoholic beverages such as beer are also available for adults. (Since the Hongo Campus is where students in their third year or above are enrolled, there are relatively more adults.) Once you've decided on your order, purchase a meal ticket at the register located immediately to the left. Transportation cards like Suica can be used. Then, with a tray in hand, head to the counter indicated by the number given. For set meals, you will be asked whether you want white rice or five-grain rice. This was a service that was not available before. After receiving your meal, add soy sauce or sauce as needed before heading to your seat. The impression inside the cafeteria is "pure white"... the lack of any decorations makes it look clean. There are roughly 100 seats, with many counter seats provided. Partitions are set up in various places so you can eat without worrying about others' eyes. In other words, they are well-equipped to accommodate solo diners. At 6 pm on a weekday, the cafeteria is filled with solo students, girls who seem to have just finished tennis club activities, and groups of adults, all enjoying the cafeteria according to their preferences. ※When cleaning up, rinse the dishes lightly yourself before returning them. ------------------------------------------------ ■ [Daily] Hongo Set (¥550) The highest-grade set meal with two main dishes. Today's menu includes stir-fried pork and green peppers and chicken cheese cutlet. It comes with miso soup. The appearance on the tray is very modest. Ah, this is the epitome of a traditional student cafeteria meal! The stir-fried pork and green peppers is an enhanced version of the typical "ginger pork" dish with more vegetables. There's nothing particularly noteworthy, but it's just delicious (^-^) The chicken cheese cutlet with shredded cabbage on the side is also simply delicious (^-^) Yes, it's so normal that it's hard to come up with comments, please understand (laughs) Meat dishes...

On October 20, 2014, at 12:16 pm, I heard that the Ginkgo Metro cafeteria at the University of Tokyo Co-op had been renovated, so I visited during lunchtime. The main Hongo campus of the University of Tokyo is still full of construction work. The scaffolding is set up even at the Yasuda Auditorium, so it's a bit confusing. Upon hearing about the renovation of the Metro cafeteria, I lined up during lunchtime to get a meal ticket. I chose the Oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) in large size and went to counter number 5. An elderly lady handed me the meal ticket and measured the rice from a Styrofoam container labeled "university rice" and passed it to the next station. In a small pot on the stove, onions and green onions were simmered with dashi broth, and eggs were added and cooked until bubbly. Without even asking, the Oyakodon with plenty of sauce was ready and served on a tray. The chicken meat, which seemed to be breast meat, was dry rather than juicy. The onions had a good crunch, but were just okay in terms of taste. The miso soup had a strong taste of artificial seasoning, which was not good. Overall, it was tasty in its own way, but it would be great if it could be as delicious as a regular diner in town! Thank you for the meal!

On April 30, 2014, I had a meeting scheduled for 17:30, but I couldn't find the location. I ended up giving up and found a curry in the cafeteria on the way, creating a new memory. The curry was like the one from a soba restaurant and very delicious. Even though it was a small size, it had a decent amount of rice for only 190 yen. It was the best cost performance I've ever experienced. I learned not to rely solely on my iPhone for directions. Additionally, I learned about the "Operation Moses," which helped 8,000 Ethiopian Jews during a drought in 1984. I watched the movie "The Promise" and learned about the Israeli situation in the 1990s. Next month, I will be focusing on Iran. The topic will be the transformation of Middle Eastern society through movies.

Theme: ● Pictures of food eaten ♪ (306737) Category: Ramen, Chinese noodles, dipping noodles I was planning to go to Wanz Worth, but I had some business at Mizuho, and I noticed that this area has changed, so I ended up walking to Sekimon. There are new restaurants, but all of them have mediocre ratings on Tabelog, so I decided to go to Tohoku University Food Court. Hmm, when I visited the medical school classroom during my second year of high school trip, it was run-down and I was shocked, but this place (economics?) is also amazing... Shouldn't they reinforce it in case of an earthquake? I heard that Juntendo University started rebuilding right after the earthquake. If it's Tohoku University, the budget and alumni donations must be amazing, so let's rebuild the building... I cheer for myself who has always had new school buildings since kindergarten (laughs). Now, I bought a meal ticket at the reception and handed it over at the counter as instructed. The counter is divided into noodles, curry, and sweets sections. I was surprised by the price of only 610 yen for all of this, typical of a university cafeteria. Vegetable Ramen 430 yen. The noodles are... well, it's cafeteria quality, so it's satisfying. There's a generous amount of vegetables too. Yam Mochi 90 yen. It's firm and delicious, and it's less than 100 yen! Fried Tofu 90 yen. It was cold... I'm curious about the Chinese almond soft serve.

Recently, it seems to be a trend to go to the school cafeteria. The school cafeteria is good because it's cheap, even though the food may not be that delicious. I went to the prestigious university with the red gate, which had a historical and educational atmosphere. The campus was dark and quite large, making it easy to get lost. I went to the co-op cafeteria located on the basement floor of the Law and Literature Building. I wanted to go to the Central Cafeteria near the Yasuda Auditorium, but unfortunately, it was reserved for students that day. It's not a subway, despite the sign saying "metro." The Law and Literature Building is known for being a hub for politicians, but I enjoyed my meal with the smart students there. Surprisingly, you can drink alcohol here from 3 pm, and they offer cheap big bottles of beer. I indulged in some drinks while working on my report. There are also tatami rooms available, so it seems like a good place for a casual party. However, the cafeteria closes at 2 am, so it's not suitable for late-night gatherings. After getting slightly drunk, I had a meal. The curry was only 190 yen for a small portion! The regular size was 250 yen, a classic and affordable menu item. The ramen was average, but the Tokyo University curry was delicious. This is the taste of the school cafeteria. New students, savor this taste and focus on your studies. School cafeterias are really convenient. I plan to visit other school cafeterias in the future.

After finishing up in Shinaicho, I walked from Korakuen to around Hongo 3-chome, and then headed towards Todaimae Station. Since I was already in the area, I decided to pass through my alma mater (just kidding) - the University of Tokyo. When I searched on Tabelog for restaurants near Todaimae Station, the university cafeteria came up. There were even reviews from Kinmaru-san (lol). Even though it was past lunchtime, I decided to take a look. I visited "Gingko Metro Shokudo" located in the basement of the building in front of Yasuda Auditorium. It was around 2 PM and there were a fair number of people inside, including non-students like me. The menu had a variety of options, but since it was a cafeteria, I chose curry. Priced at 240 yen, it was quite affordable. I bought the meal ticket and received my curry at the counter. Despite being a typical cafeteria curry, it wasn't bad at all. In fact, it was better than the curry at my company's cafeteria in terms of both taste and price. I was able to freely enter the university campus and use the cafeteria, but I wonder how it is at other universities. I'm not sure about my actual alma mater, but I might want to revisit it someday to see if it has changed.

I had some business in Ochanomizu on this day, so I have been here since the morning. After finishing my business, it is still before noon. I want to eat some delicious udon for lunch! I remember a udon restaurant in Hongo-sanchome where I was turned down before, so let's try going there. I arrived at Hongo-sanchome from Ochanomizu in just one stop on the Marunouchi Line, but there was a sign saying "Closed due to employee illness"... (cries) In that case, I came here to see if there is anything around here. It is a 7-8 minute walk from Hongo-sanchome subway station. Located in the basement of Building 2 of the Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo. Walk towards the Yasuda Auditorium inside the university campus, and the building is located on the west side of the square in front of the Yasuda Auditorium, along the ginkgo tree-lined path. There is a sign indicating the location. This is a student cafeteria run by the University of Tokyo Co-op, established in 1946. As you enter the old brick building, you go down the stairs to the basement, where there is a store and a cafeteria run by the Co-op. It takes a bit of courage for first-timers. (laughs) There is a showcase at the entrance of the cafeteria with samples of set meals, curry, ramen, etc. Set meals start from 400 yen, curry from 230 yen, and ramen from 230 yen. They also sell alcoholic beverages. This time, I chose the curry rice in medium size (230 yen). There is a cashier to the left of the showcase, so you buy a meal ticket and proceed to the food counter. You hand over your meal ticket at the food counter with a tray, receive your food, and take a seat. There are about 15-20 tables for 10 people each. The retro-style interior in white tones, with natural light coming in, creates a calm atmosphere. Let's eat! The rice for the curry rice is generous, almost equivalent to two bowls in a light rice bowl. The curry roux is thick with all the ingredients and potatoes melted into it. The meat is chicken. The side dish is fukujinzuke. It's a delicious curry rice made in a large pot at the cafeteria. It's a bit lacking in roux compared to the rice, but it's cheap and filling. It was a satisfying meal. Thank you for the meal. It was delicious. I was full even with the medium size. If you ever go to the University of Tokyo, be sure to visit the Ginkgo Metro Cafeteria.

After eating Akamon Ramen at the Co-op Central Cafeteria at the University of Tokyo, I headed to the meeting place for the first party, Ginkgo Metro Cafeteria! To get to the University of Tokyo, you can use Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line Todaimae Station, Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Nezu Station, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line/Toei Oedo Line Hongo-sanchome Station, etc., but I chose to go from Marunouchi Line's Hongo-sanchome Station. Directions: Exit the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Hongo-sanchome Station ticket gate and turn right (towards Hongo-dori). When you reach Hongo-dori, turn left and walk about 750m to enter the University of Tokyo from "Todai Main Gate." Walk straight for about 150m and you will find the Ginkgo Metro Cafeteria on the basement 1st floor of "Hobun 2nd Building" (before Yasuda Auditorium). The University of Tokyo's website provides detailed information about this cafeteria as well! The usage method is as follows: 1. Choose a menu from the sample case. 2. Purchase a ticket at the register. 3. Present the ticket at each counter. 4. Prepare chopsticks, spoons, dressing, etc., sit down, and enjoy your meal. (Water and tea are self-service). 5. Return the dishes to the dish-return area. The menu includes fair menu items, set meals, noodles, rice bowls, cafe menus, alcohol, snacks, etc., with side dishes like ohitashi and hiyayakko priced at ¥60, which is unique to school cafeterias! Since we were meeting here, everyone brought their favorite dishes. But surprisingly, all the members are curry enthusiasts, so everyone ended up ordering curry (laughs). Curry comes in S, M, and L sizes, with the S size priced at ¥190, which is quite surprising! Having already eaten at Akamon, I opted for a large bottle of beer for ¥410 and wakame seaweed salad for ¥160! I was actually torn between that and the grilled saury for ¥160. Isn't it amazing that a large bottle of beer costs ¥410 (laughs)? By the way, alcohol is only sold from 3:00 PM onwards. The wakame salad had a generous amount of ingredients like sunny lettuce, lettuce, red cabbage, cabbage, tomato, corn, and potato salad with a little wakame! It was great to have a variety of self-serve dressings available too! The left back side of the long cafeteria has tatami seating, so although the alcohol selection is limited (bottled beer, draft beer, happoshu, canned chu-hai) priced at ¥60 to ¥160 for individual items, it seems fun to have a light party ordering various drinks and enjoying them (＾－＾).

Today, I visited the University of Tokyo for sightseeing. The Ginkgo Metro cafeteria in the Faculty of Law and Letters is famous for being a cafeteria that serves alcohol, even though it is a student cafeteria. However, today I came for the public cafeteria series, not for alcohol (laughs). The campus with its beautiful ginkgo trees, and the Yasuda Auditorium towering at the end when entering through the main gate, where the student movement Yasuda Auditorium battle took place in the 1970s, is gradually fading from memory. The retro building of the Faculty of Law and Letters, located in front of the Yasuda Auditorium, houses the Ginkgo Metro cafeteria in the basement. This cafeteria, operated by the cooperative, can be considered a public cafeteria without any problem. Looking at the sample case, the curry in medium size costs 230 yen, which is the cheapest so far, and the small size costs 190 yen, which is very cheap. So, let's buy a ticket for the curry in medium size at 230 yen. Since it is self-service, exchange the ticket for the curry at the counter. The yellow curry, surprisingly, is delicious. It has a bit of thickness, decent amount of ingredients, not too spicy but has umami and a hint of spices. At 230 yen, there is nothing to complain about. The rice is about 1.5 bowls in a teacup, so it's enough to fill you up. So far, there is no other cafeteria curry that can beat this one in the public cafeteria series.

We visited a restaurant during a tour in June, starting from Hongo-Sanchome to Suidobashi. The restaurant had a nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of a Showa-era cafeteria. I decided to have curry, along with a side of fried tofu which I found for only 90 yen. The curry was decent, not too spicy, and reasonably priced. The fried tofu was tasty and worth the 250 yen. We enjoyed our meal with a sour drink, and even had a special guest join us. It was a unique experience dining at a university cafeteria after 25 years, but it was surprisingly enjoyable.

Once again, I visited the Ginkgo Metro Cafeteria in Building 2 of the Hongo Campus at the University of Tokyo. They sell beer and chu-hai starting from 3pm, so I bought beer, hijiki, tomato, and takoyaki for 680 yen. The takoyaki takes a while to make. The hijiki, tomato, and takoyaki were good, and the chu-hai was 200 yen. It's a nice place to have a little drink. I was the only one drinking alcohol, while the students were having their meals. Thank you for the meal.

This is the university cafeteria at the University of Tokyo. I used it when attending a seminar. It can be described as having a historical feel, or simply put, it's an old building (lol). According to the sign outside, it opened in 1946. Incredible. I was a bit surprised to see tatami mats in a cafeteria. The way they wash dishes, cups, and chopsticks seems rough, as they are dirty. As others have mentioned, the dish return system involves rinsing the dishes in a shower and placing them in water, which also contributes to the overall uncleanliness. I ordered the Ginkgo set in a large size (L). It came with salmon fry mixed rice (large size), cold tofu with a side dish (I chose sweet potatoes), miso soup, and a whole banana. Considering the price of 510 yen, the taste is slightly below average. I give it one star for service due to the aforementioned cleanliness issues. By the way, it's pronounced "ichou." I confidently ordered the "ginnan set" at the register with a loud voice. If you have the chance, give it a try.