There is an izakaya in Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho that mainly serves yakitori, but I was drawn to the oden so I decided to try it. The taste was good, but it was a bit lukewarm which was disappointing. I recommend trying the tsukune (chicken meatballs) and then moving on to another restaurant. It's nice that you can try recommended dishes and move around in a place like this.

I came to a restaurant in Omoide Yokocho with a friend. The first floor has a counter and the second floor has table seating. We enjoyed some snacks with highballs. The specialty tsukune was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, really delicious. There isn't much of a view from the window, just the next-door shop, but the atmosphere was nice. I don't come to Shinjuku often these days, but this is a good place to casually enjoy a drink. Thank you for the meal.

The background music is from a carefully selected CD. I ordered a "lemon sour" drink. The appetizer was sashimi and marinated onions, with a gentle flavor. I ordered the "special meatball" and "liver". The liver arrived in about 5 minutes and was average. The special meatball arrived in about 20 minutes and was half-cooked, but delicious.

I took my foreign friend who came for sightseeing to Shinjuku. We decided to eat at Memory Lane and randomly chose a restaurant. The staff were very kind and the atmosphere was comfortable. The tsukune (chicken meatballs) and horse mackerel sashimi, which are the specialties, left a lasting impression. We also enjoyed trying various types of sake. After this, as expected, we headed to Golden Gai. (Visited in December 2015)

Counter and one table. There seems to be a second floor as well. The grilled skewers were delicious! The chicken neck, cartilage, and skin were all large and tasty. The meatballs were soft and juicy! The tomato and pickled ginger were also good. The Hoppy set was a bit pricey at 780 yen, but worth it! They provided a refill container from the start, which was convenient.

The atmosphere at Omoide Yokocho is really nice!

There are many alleys, but I've never seen one with so many foreigners before! It seems like there are more foreigners than Japanese in Shinjuku and Ginza these days. Tonight's alley, maybe half of the people are foreigners? Everywhere you go, there's the smell of yakitori. Is it common worldwide to enjoy alleys from early hours? My recommendation here! We had tsukune, a yakitori assortment for two, 4 glasses of draft beer, and 1 highball. We also tried the recommended raw sardines, all for 5000 yen. The octopus vinegar appetizer and the delicious tsukune were great. The tsukune had a creamy egg and crispy exterior, while the inside was fluffy with a nice texture from the minced chicken. I was too full to order more dishes, but based on the atmosphere of the alley and the delicious tsukune and appetizer, I would give it a good rating. The alley still seems to have a lot more to offer. Thank you for the meal! Tsukune was recommended and indeed, it was delicious.

At the Memory Lane in Shinjuku, I was a bit lost on which yakitori restaurant to try as a beginner. I kept going back and forth until a staff member called out to me and helped me decide. I sat at the counter, which was so narrow that only one person could pass behind. I started with a yakitori set of 5 skewers, all of which were delicious! I also tried something that the chef was making in front of me, which turned out to be amazing. I also ordered the simmered giblets and tsukune, both of which were delicious. The tsukune had a really tasty sauce. I left the restaurant feeling full and satisfied. Thank you!

◼️<Tatsunoya> Omoide Yokocho Located near the north side of Shinjuku Station West Exit, along the JR railway tracks, is the "Omoide Yokocho" alley. Originating from the post-war black market, it remains one of Tokyo's top alleyway drinking districts, still exuding the atmosphere of its opening days. Officially named "Shinjuku Nishiguchi Shotengai," it is better known as "Shonben Yokocho." I decided to start by reviewing "Tatsunoya," a restaurant that has been operating for 14 years, as I realized I had not posted about it on Tabelog. ◼️The exterior of the restaurant features a typical Omoide Yokocho design, inviting with a large red lantern. Inside, there are about 7-8 counter seats and a table for 4 in the back, a typical layout for the shops lining Omoide Yokocho. The ceiling, stained amber with oil and cigarette smoke, and the yellowed menu signboards tell the story of a history stacked over time. Drinks are chilled not in refrigerators but in ice water. ◼️Food and Beverages - Beer 500 yen - Takashimizu's Josen (room temperature) 400 yen - Appetizers: - Liver (salt) - Well-grilled skin (salt) - Tsukune (sauce) 500 yen - Tuna sashimi (yuzu pepper flavor) 600 yen Total: 2,650 yen *The price of the appetizers and grilled dishes is unknown, totaling 650 yen. The beer brand was not specified on the menu board, but I saw the lid of a Sapporo beer from my seat, so I ordered Sapporo's Red Star. The appetizer for the day was steamed chicken with ponzu sauce, a juicy and tender chicken that paired well with the ponzu sauce (likely homemade). The liver was well-cooked and rich in texture. The well-grilled skin had a nice crispy texture, as requested, offering a good bite. Both dishes had a restrained saltiness, allowing the flavors of the ingredients to shine. The Takashimizu Josen, not a pure rice sake but a premium selection, had a balanced sweetness that complemented the dishes well. The recommended Tsukune with sauce was a dish to eat with egg yolk, again highlighting the ingredients. The tuna sashimi, with a hint of yuzu pepper, was also subtly flavored, showcasing the natural taste of the ingredients. All dishes were prepared to allow the flavors of the ingredients to be savored, with homemade touches evident in the appetizer sauce and the grilled dishes. ◼️Service The owner quietly grilled the dishes, while the efficient Asian staff swiftly handled their tasks. Their precise movements were mesmerizing. The selection of 60s to 70s jazz, Latin, and lounge music as the background music in the restaurant added to the nostalgic and otherworldly atmosphere. ◼️Cost-Performance At 2,650 yen for the above order, the cost-performance may not be great, but it is a fair price considering the quality of the food. It's worth noting that, in my memory, there are few places in Omoide Yokocho with good cost-performance. ◼️Conclusion Despite the average cost-performance, considering Omoide Yokocho as an entertainment space, the price is justifiable. I hope that Omoide Yokocho, a representative of the Showa-era back alleys that convey memories of the post-war period, will continue to exist for a long time.

I went to Shinjuku for a casual drink with my dad and son after a long time. We met at Shinjuku Station East Exit at 7 pm on Saturday and tried to head towards Kabukicho, but there were crowds of young people walking and we couldn't move at all. Shinjuku is amazing! It's as crowded as Asakusa Temple during New Year's. We decided to skip Kabukicho and entered Memory Lane instead. Memory Lane, after a long time, is bustling with tourists. It's also a tourist spot. We passed by the crowded shops and the empty ones, and went straight to Tatsunoya. We sat at the L-shaped counter, where four young people were drinking Okinawa Highballs. The atmosphere was quiet, with the master quietly cooking yakitori. We made eye contact with the master and entered the shop. He has been grilling here for almost 20 years. We sat at the counter and moved to the back. Besides the master, there were two Southeast Asian female staff members inside. The table in the back was empty, but it seemed like there were customers upstairs on the narrow and steep stairs. We started with a draft beer (500 yen) and cheers. The female staff poured the beer in front of us. It was a Sapporo glass, but the real deal here is Asahi. After finishing the draft beer, we switched to bottled beer (500 yen). We had salad as a starter. We also ordered simmered offal (400 yen), tsukune (500 yen), three types of chicken skewers (600 yen), and assorted grilled chicken (600 yen). The tsukune, a specialty of the shop, consisted of two ball-shaped tsukune and a raw egg yolk. The surface was crispy and fragrant. Highly recommended. The three types of chicken skewers were served with wasabi, yuzu pepper, and plum shiso, and they were also quite good. We also had highballs and Okinawa Highballs (500 yen) as refills, and the total bill for two people was 6,450 yen.

I was taken to this street by a friend who works in Shinjuku. The street felt so fresh to me, as I had only been there once during my student days, which was over 20 years ago. Back then, during the transition from the Showa era to the Heisei era, there wasn't as much information available, so I wasn't actively seeking out cheap eateries like this one serving motsu-yaki, simmered dishes, and Hoppy. Perhaps during the peak of the Bubble era, people were more inclined towards high-end restaurants rather than places like this? I was always a poor student, so if only I had known about this sooner... I probably just wasn't interested in this area when I was younger. As for the taste of the yakitori, well, it was nothing to write home about. The motsu-ni, on the other hand, is the signature dish of the restaurant, so you have to order it. It was lighter compared to the rich flavor I had the day before in Suidobashi. Sprinkling shichimi spice on it and pairing it with Hoppy is the standard way to enjoy it. This street is definitely a place where you want to hop around with an empty stomach. I can't wait to go back soon!

It was sunny on 6/7, and I decided to go to a restaurant where you can order yakitori starting from just one skewer. When I asked verbally, they mentioned that ordering just one skewer might be difficult, but if I order a few skewers, it would be fine. The restaurant had a long counter and a table at the back. There was also a second floor. I ordered liver, tsukune, and shochu highball. The appetizer was somen salad mixed with tomatoes. Both skewers were grilled with sauce. The liver was well-cooked and a bit dry. The tsukune was served with a raw egg yolk on top, thick and crispy on the outside, and perfectly cooked inside. I also ordered a stewed dish called "Kamishu Kamino Uta" which was a shochu highball with an amber color. The stewed dish was made with a type of tripe that was a bit chewy. They topped it with a generous amount of green onions. I was happy to find tofu underneath the tripe.

On September 22, 2011, after "Tsumubiahofu", we arrived at a place called Shinjuku Nishiguchi's Omoide Yokocho, also known as Shomben Yokocho. I don't usually visit this area, but my boss frequents it, so I was invited along. I'm not a fan of drinking because it makes me need to use the restroom frequently, but I decided to try a different drink this time. I had a hoppy drink, while my boss had a kabosu sour, and we toasted. The hoppy drink came with a refill from the start. The fried tofu we had as a snack was delicious, with a thick and juicy texture. I can't remember the name of the dish, but I would like to eat it again. Surprisingly, there were female customers in this area, which I didn't expect. It seems that drinking in places like this is no longer unusual. There was a young female regular customer at the restaurant we visited. It was the night before a long weekend, and there were many people around, including a lot of foreigners. It almost felt like a scene from Blade Runner, with an exotic atmosphere. I might have trouble finding a restroom, but I think it's nice to visit this place occasionally.

I was invited by my senior to Memory Lane in Shinjuku and we went to "Tatsunoya," a place he has been going to for 10 years. This was my third visit to Memory Lane, after "Gifu-ya" and the eel restaurant "Kabuto" I recently tried. The atmosphere of the place was unique and there were many different restaurants, which could make it a bit intimidating for first-timers, but it was reassuring to go with someone familiar with the area. We sat at the counter on the first floor, while there was also a second floor accessed by a steep staircase. We started with bottled beer, and I was happy to see they served Asahi Super Dry, which I personally like a lot. The appetizer was simple yet delicious - a rolled omelette and leeks with a flavorful broth poured over them. The simmered dish was not outstanding but comforting, with plenty of ingredients and a good portion for its price of 400 yen. The specialty meatball dish was large, juicy, and flavorful, and went well with the egg yolk. The grilled pork belly and chicken cartilage skewers were affordable and tasty, especially when paired with sake. The grilled eggplant with bonito flakes and ginger was a must-order for me, as it paired well with the alcohol. The deep-fried tofu dish was another favorite of mine. The homemade macaroni salad was also delicious, especially with the added tuna. Overall, Tatsunoya in Memory Lane was a great find with a variety of dishes that complemented the drinks perfectly.

I entered the restaurant around 7 pm on a weekday. There were three groups of salarymen at the counter on the first floor. Even though I was alone, I was welcomed with a seat available at the counter. I ordered the specialty tsukune and a shochu highball from the menu. First, I was served an appetizer and the highball. The tsukune was grilled right in front of me and served with a raw egg yolk on top. It had a strong cumin flavor and was delicious. It reminded me of curry spices, but it worked really well with the tsukune. Surprisingly, there was a mirror ball in the restaurant. It seemed out of place for a yakitori restaurant, but it somehow fit in and created a lovely atmosphere. I would love to visit this place again. *Additional appetizer charge applies.

Located near the west exit of Shinjuku Station, this restaurant is situated in Omoide Yokocho, where around 80 shops are clustered together. There are probably over 50 places where you can enjoy some drinks. You can even visit their official website at http://shinjuku-omoide.com/. This particular restaurant is located on the main street of Omoide Yokocho, and every time I come here, I struggle to decide where to go. Today, I decided to try this place and ordered some simmered dishes and yakitori. The simmered dish was delicious. It seems they are grilling some tsukune in front of me. It looks so tasty. It seems like orders are coming in from nearby shops as well. Indeed, it's delicious! It's especially great when you dip it in raw egg. Shinjuku truly has a lot to offer. This area has been home to these kinds of restaurants since right after the war (well, I wasn't born then), so they have a long history of competition. I wonder how many years, or even decades, it would take to visit all of Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho.

Suddenly feeling like going to a certain restaurant... that would be Tatsunoya. Stepping into this Memory Lane, it feels like traveling back to the Showa era. It's a nostalgic and somewhat mysterious atmosphere. Among all the shops here, I particularly like this one and often find myself coming here. Whether it's spring, summer, autumn, or winter... I love this shop that has various faces. A must-try at this shop is definitely the macaroni salad, simmered dish, and tsukune. The taste is quite something, and when I want to experience this taste and the Showa vibe, I head to this Memory Lane. It used to be called Shonben Yokocho in the past... Oh, and this whole area has public toilets, making it inconvenient. The ghosts here also make you want to go after drinking, so that's a drawback. So, after eating and drinking, I usually leave this area promptly and move on to the next place. Well, that kind of atmosphere might also be part of the charm of Memory Lane. Today as well, "Delicious!" I finished everything without leaving a trace of the ghosts. "Thank you for the meal!"