I visited the restaurant right at lunchtime when it opened. As more people arrived, it didn't get too crowded because the turnover was fast. Most people were eating main dishes like rice bowls, set meals, and noodles. One good thing is that you can freely choose small side dishes to go with your meal. The cakes and tofu sauce seemed to be store-bought, but it was nice to have the option to choose small side dishes based on your mood. You can also help yourself to tea.

I went to the second cafeteria at the Hongo campus of the University of Tokyo for the first time. The autumn leaves were beautiful. There were so many menu options that I had a hard time deciding what to eat. Some people were only eating side dishes. I chose the limited-time Arashi Genkotsu Ramen for 550 yen. It was cheap, warm, and delicious, so I was very satisfied. My friend had ginger pork, omurice, and almond jelly for a total of 750 yen. We paid with Suica. Lunchtime was very crowded, and popular items like ramen sold out quickly. However, there are many menu options, so I recommend it.

I had some business in Hongo, so I decided to visit the university cafeteria while I was there. I noticed that it has become quite systematic compared to the past. There are no more cafeteria ladies, and it feels a bit sad that it has become more commercialized. The taste is the usual cafeteria taste, not bad but not particularly cheap either. I heard they serve alcohol, but it's only available in the evening so I had to pass. I also noticed that there are many Chinese people, apparently because it has become a tourist spot.

I decided to visit the Central Cafeteria after a long time, but it was under construction. So, I looked for another place and ended up visiting this cafeteria. It's my first time here. The menu has a variety of options, but it lacks unique dishes that stand out. (But it's a cafeteria, so it's okay if it's not that interesting.) It's a shame that they don't have the famous Red Gate Ramen. This time, I ordered a large serving of Pork Cutlet Curry. Although it was a large serving, it wasn't overwhelmingly big. However, with three pieces of pork cutlet, it was satisfying enough. The curry sauce was yellowish, and I poured it over the rice. The cafeteria is bright and has a nice atmosphere, and the affordable prices make it a good place to fill your stomach!

At the prestigious University of Tokyo, where some of the brightest minds in Japan gather, many of them go on to pursue careers in academia and research institutions, playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the country. With international relations becoming increasingly volatile, the development of technology to protect the nation is now a pressing issue. It is hoped that these brilliant individuals who support the country will rise to the occasion. Now, in the Gakushuin area behind the Yasuda Auditorium, there is another cafeteria that I would like to introduce. Known as the Second Cafeteria, it is located on the side of the Faculty of Science or, more simply put, at the far end of the University of Tokyo Hospital. Inside the building, there are bookstores and a travel center, and they also sell bento boxes during lunchtime. As you climb the stairs to the second floor, you will see the entrance to the cafeteria. Similar to the Central Cafeteria, this cafeteria is operated by the University of Tokyo Consumer Cooperative, offering curry for 250 yen and mini curry for 190 yen, maintaining the lowest prices among the cafeterias. However, this time I ordered the Yellow Curry (510 yen), which is recommended for halal consumption. Halal refers to items permitted by Islamic law, including food and dishes that are allowed to be consumed according to Islamic dietary laws. With an increasing number of students from Islamic countries such as the Middle East and Indonesia, many cafeterias now offer halal menus. While the criteria for what is permitted can vary greatly depending on the sect and region, it is likely that this is being done as a "recommendation." I promptly ordered the Yellow Curry and received my meal. It was a bit surprising to see the cooked chicken placed on the plate and the curry sauce in a pack, but it makes sense considering it is a special menu for a minority group. The payment system is at the register after receiving the meal. The curry, which was not too spicy and had soft onions, was decent. The main meat and the curry were not fully integrated, but that was my mistake in choosing the dish. Nevertheless, I commend the efforts of the cooperative in offering such initiatives. Looking around, I noticed there were quite a few external workers, such as construction workers. The cafeteria prioritizes students from 11:30 to 13:00, so it was time for us to leave. Thank you for the meal.

This morning's breakfast was at the second cafeteria with a breakfast buffet. Since it's summer vacation, there are hardly any students. There are instructors and elderly people from the neighborhood here and there. It's a system common in university cafeterias where you pay per 100g. At the University of Tokyo, it's 150 yen per 100g. I chose salmon, sardines, simmered vegetables, rolled omelette, sausage, and meatballs. I also got cold tofu, soft-boiled egg, and boiled spinach on the side. I was a bit greedy (laughs). There was white rice and black rice, with white rice priced at 50 yen per 100g and black rice at 60 yen per 100g. Black rice is healthy, but soft-boiled egg goes better with white rice so I got a bowl of each (laughs). The receipt shows the calories and salt content. It was 140kcal and 0.2g of salt. The current cafeteria is really top-notch. It was a satisfying breakfast.

I came to the University of Tokyo Hospital for the first time and decided to have lunch at the cafeteria. I found the "Tokyo University Hongo Campus 2nd Cafeteria," which had a nice name. Inside, there was a showcase with menus, and I was surprised by the prices. Everything was so cheap! I ordered and found a seat. When I went, only half of the seats were taken. The taste of the food was okay. It was a valuable experience to have a meal at the University of Tokyo cafeteria, and it made me happy.

It had been many years since I last visited a university cafeteria, back when I used to occasionally visit my roommate's university during my student days. This time, at the suggestion of an older friend, we headed to the second cafeteria at the Hongo campus of the University of Tokyo after enjoying the Miyuki Morimoto exhibition at the Yayoi Museum on our way back. Although I had seen the iconic Akamon gate from the outside before, it was my first time entering the campus. Even though non-students are free to come and go, I felt a bit nervous as we entered the cafeteria. The system was different from what I was used to - there was no need to buy meal tickets. Instead, there were booths divided by genre, similar to the deli section of a department store, where you could choose your favorite dishes and have them served by the chefs. Then, you would pay at the register. The salad bar operated on a self-serve basis where you would pay based on the weight of your salad. Since I hadn't done any research beforehand, I was unsure of what to eat. Eventually, I settled on a Japanese-style hamburger rice bowl, which came with miso soup, salad, and a side dish, and it turned out to be reasonably priced. If you indulged in too many side dishes, the cost would add up. Nevertheless, compared to regular eateries in the city, it was somewhat affordable. Although it was a bit crowded, there were scattered seats available for two people. Next to us was a group of three boys conversing in a language other than Japanese - perhaps they were exchange students. We couldn't spot any other regular visitors like us, but surprisingly, there were many foreigners present. Some adults also frequented the cafeteria, so it was hard to tell if they were students or teachers just by looking at them. As we finished our hamburgers, about half of the seats had emptied out. Oops, maybe we should have come a bit later? There was a notice at the entrance advising non-students to avoid peak hours. If we visit again, we should consider adjusting our timing. On the way back, we took a stroll through the campus, passed through the Akamon gate, and headed towards the station. There were tempting old cake shops and cool cafes along the way. It was a neighborhood I rarely visited, but Hongo seemed like a nice place to take a leisurely walk every now and then.

This is a cafeteria located in front of the bus stop at the Hongo campus. Originally a dance hall, the entrance is grand but the interior is just a normal cafeteria. Since they don't have Akamon Ramen, there are not many tourists here. The menu and interior are both very ordinary. The dishes ordered are clearly shown in the photos, but they are just average in taste, served on plastic trays and plates. Hopefully, some reforms will come to this cafeteria.

I invited the captain of Team Acidic Bosano-ba and went to the Beer Festival at the second cafeteria of the University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus. Since it was still early, we first grabbed a beer at Metro Icho Shokudo. We bought a beer ticket for 320 yen and received our beer at window No. 1. We found a seat and enjoyed the beer, then headed to the second cafeteria. The captain took care of getting the beer while I lined up at the snack corner, which was crowded. It took about 10 minutes, but I finally got some fried squid legs and potato fries. The beer disappeared quickly, so I exchanged my pre-purchased tickets for more beer. The beer was served in Sapporo paper cups. I had pre-purchased tickets for 1000 yen, which could be used for 1200 yen worth of purchases. However, the students pouring the beer were not skilled, so there was a lot of foam. Even when I asked for less foam, they didn't listen. After using up all my tickets on three beers, I bought an Alt beer from Hakusan Spring Brewery for 400 yen in cash. It was rich and delicious. As more people started to arrive, we decided to move on. Thank you for the meal.

July 28, 2012 - Draft Beer at the University of Tokyo Second Cafeteria (Hongo) Theme: Nippori, Nishi-Nippori, Sendagi, Nezu In the midst of the intense heat last week, I received a call from Matsuno-san, the leader of Team Sour, saying, "Captain, do you want to go for a beer next Friday?" When I inquired further, he mentioned a "Beer Festival" happening and suggested getting advance tickets if we were going. Of course, I'm in! (^O^)/ So, the meeting spot was none other than... the University of Tokyo! Tokyo University? Why? Well, there was this event happening there. The Tokyo University Second Cafeteria Beer Festival~♪ Well, Matsuno-san always manages to find these kinds of events (laughs). The venue was bustling with students, professors, and other school-related individuals, as well as outsiders like us (´艸｀). Two middle-aged outsiders went straight to the beer and snack area to procure supplies. It was heartwarming to see a bespectacled female college student handle the beer tap with a hesitant touch. Cheers~☆(ノ^^)八(^^)ノ *gulp gulp gulp* Ah~! (^O^) The beer tasted great today, especially in this heat! The beer and snacks were all priced at 300 yen each, but with the advance ticket, you get 4 servings for 1000 yen. The snacks were fried squid legs and potato fries. Well, it's to be expected (laughs). After finishing 3 glasses of draft beer each, the leader suggested, "Let's try that one too," and got us Hakkaisan Izumi Beer for an additional 400 yen. *gulp gulp gulp* Mmm, delicious (^ε^)♪ Well, enough with just beer, and now that the sweat has subsided, where to next! (^-^)/ Drinking beer surrounded by intellectuals was quite enjoyable. Thank you for the meal! (^人^) (to be continued) Thank you for always reading! Clicking below will lead you to various food blog posts~♪ Popular Blog Rankings Japan Blog Village

I stopped by the second cafeteria on my way back from visiting the University of Tokyo Hospital. Yes, I am an outsider... and it was outside of regular hours. I didn't reserve a seat or anything, I'm not a sumo wrestler. "Dosukoi!" I had been looking forward to trying the "Hachioji Ramen" that I had researched on their website. Ever since I was taken to the original Hachioji Ramen at Aika several years ago and was impressed by the minced onions in the ramen, my heart has been captured by it. Come to think of it, when I was subletting in Futtsu, I also used to frequent Umenoya in Takeoka, which had ramen I liked. The store was old (back in 1987), the parking was difficult, and there was always an old man drinking shochu even though he came by car. In the summer, it would get congested with beachgoers on Route 16, but I strangely liked the ramen there with minced onions. Oh, that's right! I also remember being taken to a place in Nitta called Matsunoya, where they served ramen similar to Takeoka's style. It was like a play on words from Umenoya to Matsunoya. Hmm... as much minced onion as you like as a topping? Well, onions are good for thinning the blood too. So, I entered the charming building and was overwhelmed by the open staircase, then went up to the second floor. Through the glass door, there was a display case like a department store's favorite dining area. Since I had already decided on my order, I refrained from taking photos here. This cafeteria does not use food ticket system, instead you go to the area where the food you want is served - like "NOODLE," "DONBURI," "BUFFET," etc., place your order, select your side dishes, put them on a tray, and pay at the register. Of course, I went to the NOODLE section. "I'll have the Hachioji Ramen, please." "I'm sorry, it's sold out." "Ah...I'm too late." So, I ended up with the cold noodles for 420 yen. I also got the potato salad for 90 yen. The local fair was until the end of June, and this day was June 28th... so I couldn't revisit during the fair. Oh, by the way, there was a stamp card discount service for customers who visited between 13:00 and 14:00 - you could get a discount with 4 points. But that was also close to expiring, so I had to give up on that too. How did the cold noodles taste? It was delicious, like a nice way to finish after eating grilled meat. The noodles were not like thin Korean-style soba, but rather normal noodles. The soup was a bit sour, I think? I can't remember... but looking at the picture, I finished it, so it must have suited me. The staff at the store operated by the cooperative were very friendly, and I felt comfortable ordering even though it was my first time. Thank you for the meal... but my mind was still stuck on Hachioji as I left the cafeteria. However, the University of Tokyo really has some old buildings, doesn't it? I felt like I was exploring as I wandered around. It's rare to have such a large campus in Tokyo. And being able to freely walk around was a nice experience. (No entry into the school buildings though!) I regret not taking advantage of it while I was living nearby.

The University of Tokyo Sake Festival, the plan was good but - Hongo "Hongo Campus Second Cafeteria" (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Hongo-sanchome Station) On this day, it is the University of Tokyo's Co-op Sake Festival. My drinking buddy, "Ronta," and I strolled through the University of Tokyo campus and arrived at the second cafeteria. The line here is the University of Tokyo Hospital where Emperor underwent heart bypass surgery last week. Now, when we arrived at the second cafeteria, Tico Tico had saved us a seat. I'm always sorry. The organizers were a bit unprepared, but they were already pouring sake into the glasses. The plan was not bad, with 3 tickets purchased for 1,100 yen, you can try 3 cups of sake from each of the 6 sets from A to F. Furthermore, each brand is clearly marked on the tray (except for the blind A set), making it easy to know which one you are drinking, which is a nice touch for beginners like me. The snacks include sardine simmered in soy sauce for 200 yen, fried flounder for 200 yen, and simmered eggplant for 200 yen, which are all prepared to pair well with sake unlike the wine festival menu. The "Fuyo" sake that Tico Tico gave me, which tastes like wine but is actually sake, is rich and delicious. I also had the chance to try the Juyondai sake, which can only be purchased by those who win a lottery, and had a great time. However, the sake counter was always chaotic, and it seems like they have run out of sake to sell. According to the organizers, they prepared for 200 people, but 300 people participated, causing a shortage of products. It also seems like there was a shortage of staff. Nevertheless, I think they are doing their best as part of the university co-op's plan. I hope they will strive to make the next event even better.

After eating Red Gate Ramen at the central cafeteria, let's head to the "University of Tokyo Wine Festival 2012"! The venue for the University of Tokyo Wine Festival is the second cafeteria, a very impressive and dignified building. The large venue is crowded with people! From young people who are clearly University of Tokyo students to middle-aged men and women with flushed faces, people of all ages are having a great time. First, purchase the University of Tokyo Wine Festival ticket for 1,100 yen, which can be exchanged for 4 items (wine or snacks). Start by choosing two snacks per person from the snack corner and then head to the wine corner. After tasting the University of Tokyo wines, I also purchased a bottle of okha wine (from South Africa). A kind lady named Tikotiko had reserved a table for us. Cheers with wine! The members were Gakuchi, rikueri, and Ucchicchi. I never imagined that I could drink wine in the University of Tokyo! The roast pork, cheese crackers, chorizo, salt yakisoba, chicken nuggets, assorted ham, cheese & crackers, and edamame snacks were all quite ordinary, typical of hors d'oeuvres. When the bottle of wine ran out, I went to exchange it for a glass of wine, but to my surprise, it was a small amount... Maybe around 50ml? It was no different from the tasting amount. But well, let's give them a break, they are the future of Japan, University of Tokyo students after all. As the party was starting to wind down, it was time for the exciting raffle! If the number on your University of Tokyo Wine Festival ticket is called, you win! There's a chance to win wine, as well as rare University of Tokyo goods! Excitedly listening for the numbers announced by the MC... (Please, let it be 280! 280! 280! 280! 280! 280! 280! 280! 280! 280...) Unfortunately, all of us were unlucky... Disappointed. "Shall we have a consolation party nearby?"

I had some business to attend to at the University of Tokyo. It's so big here, I'm getting lost. I wanted to pretend to be a Tokyo University student, but I look too suspicious looking at the map. I'll just behave like a regular visitor. I feel like I look a bit old to be a student anyway. I finished my morning work and headed to the cafeteria. It's been a while since I've been to a cafeteria. I can't remember the last time. My university only had 4 cafeterias, but Tokyo University has over 15. Impressive. I went to the closest cafeteria, the second one. They had a variety of dishes like noodles, rice bowls, and side dishes, where you pick what you want and pay at the register. I chose a dish called Mega Curry from the rice bowl section. It was 1500 calories for 600 yen. There was also a Pork Cutlet Curry for 380 yen, but the person in front of me ordered the Mega Curry and it looked huge, so I, trying to blend in as a Tokyo University student, also ordered the Mega Curry. The lady at the counter said they were out of Mega Curry and went to get it. She came back with a hamburger instead. I sat next to a group of students and enjoyed my meal. It was just a normal curry, but it reminded me of the old days in the cafeteria. I was quite satisfied. I had planned to go to a taiyaki shop in Nezu as well, but I was already full. I wish I could go back to being a student. Back when I didn't have any worries. (Maybe that's an exaggeration.)

★★★The rating is 3 because it is a university cafeteria, so taste is irrelevant.★★★ In recent years, universities have been offering more elaborate dishes due to privatization. You can enjoy dishes made with local specialties, local ingredients, or university-patented ingredients. It's a unique dining experience that the general public may not usually have access to. This time, let's introduce the cafeteria at the University of Tokyo. Among the cafeterias at Todai, I personally frequent the second cafeteria. The reason is that they have a salad bar in a buffet style. You can choose from a variety of fresh vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, watercress, seaweed, and more, and the price is determined by the weight of the salad you put on your plate. This means you can enjoy plenty of fresh vegetables sourced locally (which is a big plus for me as I'm on a diet). In addition to meat, fish, noodles, and desserts, they also offer health-conscious options like food with Todai's patents, black rice, seasonal bamboo shoots, and rapeseed blossoms, giving you a wide selection. The system is simple: you pick what you want, then pay at the cashier. They also take care of dietary restrictions due to religious reasons and ensure food safety by indicating the origin of the ingredients. The location is convenient, right in front of the bus stop (within the Todai campus), making it easily accessible to the general public.

The second cafeteria at the University of Tokyo Hongo Campus is located quite far back from the Akamon gate, making it a bit of a walk. The campus is quite large, and the buildings are old, but this cafeteria is relatively new and clean. The menu is similar to other cafeterias, but with some differences. You can choose from curry, rice bowls, and side dishes. The food is surprisingly delicious for a cafeteria, with the curry being particularly recommended. The pork cutlet curry in medium size costs 400 yen, which is cheap. It can get crowded during lunchtime, but it's cheaper and tastier compared to other restaurants. Highly recommended.

Compared to the agricultural department cafeteria, the central cafeteria, and the Ginkgo Metro cafeteria, this cafeteria has a noticeably stylish atmosphere. It does not operate on a meal ticket system; instead, you can choose your food on a tray or place an order, and then pay at the end. Even though I didn't have much of an appetite this time, I decided to try the chicken broth tea-soaked rice, which was an unusual menu item for a cafeteria. It cost 370 yen. The dish consisted of rice topped with chicken breast, shredded omelette, and shiitake mushrooms, all covered in plenty of broth, and it was quite delicious. It was gentle on the stomach, and I was glad I chose this cafeteria today. The dish return system using a belt conveyor was also convenient. The only downside might be that cold barley tea was not provided.

I went to the University of Tokyo's Hongo campus for work. Usually, I would go to the main cafeteria for lunch, but this time I decided to try the second cafeteria. It was July 1st. They had just started their "Summer Stamina Fair" and I decided to try the "Toro Tamagoyaki Katsu Don" in a large size. I bought the meal ticket at the register. Even though it was already past 1:30 pm, the cafeteria was quite crowded. The raised seating area was full as well. I waited in line at the counter for a while. However, the dish that arrived was completely different from what I had imagined when I heard "toro tamagoyaki." Instead of a katsu don with lots of runny egg, the katsu was just placed on top of the rice with some lightly beaten egg sauce drizzled on top. The katsu was not cut all the way through, making it hard to eat, and lacked flavor. The egg sauce on the rice was also sparse and not evenly distributed, even in the large size. It was quite difficult to eat. Hmm, I should have just gone for a regular katsu don. However, there were many international students in the cafeteria.

I went to a beer festival in the summer and had a great time, so I decided to check out a wine festival as well. I arrived around 6 pm, just like last time, but it seems like there are fewer people compared to the beer festival. The food options are not as popular this time, and the dishes that are lined up are getting cold quickly because there aren't many people waiting in line. The most notable thing this time is the small amount of wine they are serving for 300 yen per glass. It felt like they should be pouring more generously since it's a festival. The sparkling wine was over 2,000 yen per bottle and not chilled, so I decided to pass. They were going to have a rock-paper-scissors tournament, but I left early to go eat oden. The beer festival was fun, so I will definitely go again next year. Hopefully, the wine festival will be more enjoyable and generous next time.