After enjoying delicious eel and carp dishes at "Manmaru," I decided to walk towards the west instead of heading back to Ikebukuro Station. After about 7-8 minutes of walking, I arrived at Yomemachi intersection, where I had heard about a specialty dorayaki shop located on a side street. The shop was tucked away in a residential area, with a simple entrance that didn't look like a typical storefront. Upon entering, I was greeted by a small elderly man who asked how many dorayaki I would like. I requested 4 pieces, and he quickly handed me a paper bag containing the dorayaki for 400 yen. The packaging was simple, with each dorayaki individually wrapped in clear plastic. When I opened one up at home, I found it to be slightly smaller than expected for the price of 100 yen each. The texture was soft and chewy, with a balanced sweetness that wasn't overpowering. The amount of filling was just right, and the size was perfect for a light snack. While Tokyo has many famous dorayaki shops, each with its own loyal following, I found this particular shop to offer a taste that suited my preferences. Overall, I was impressed by the quality and convenience of this dorayaki shop and would definitely consider returning in the future.

Located one street away from the station in a renovated house, this shop was open for business. I was a little worried if it was still there, but it was. In this day and age, I think 100 yen is a good deal. The dorayaki was a bit small, but just the right size. I like the ones that are big and packed with red bean paste, but balance is important. This size is good for having with tea. The skin is moist and the red bean paste is not too sweet, just right. Thank you for the meal.

I visited Noguchi Seika, a dorayaki shop located about 2 minutes from Yomachi, which usually sells out around 1 pm. The exterior may be a bit confusing for first-time visitors, but the dorayaki here is excellent. They use no additives and the not-too-sweet red bean paste with moist skin is delicious. And it's only 100 yen! This dorayaki is so delicious and a great value for a souvenir.

Today, I visited Dorayaki Noguchi Seika, located in Toshima-ku, Tokyo, just one street off the Yamanote-dori. The shop is known for being difficult to find, like a maze. It is a small shop with only about 2 tatami mats in size. They open promptly at 10 am and close at 3 pm when they sell out (business hours until 5 pm). They are usually closed on weekends and holidays, or they sell out quickly and close early. The reason why the shop is hard to find and shrouded in mystery is: 1. The address is not clearly stated, and even if you find it, the shop is small and you can't take photos inside. 2. The modest "open" sign is hung on private property about 5 meters inside the entrance. 3. There is no exterior sign, and the lack of commercialism means only serious customers enter the premises. 4. Even when they are "open," locals may not know if they are actually open for business. 5. The building looks like a private house, and many people give up trying to find it even when standing right in front of it. The price is a flat 100 yen per piece, including tax. 1 piece for 100 yen, and of course, 10 pieces for 1000 yen. The only photo I could take inside was of the hand sanitizer. While it's not forbidden to take photos, the communication with the elderly man behind the small glass window feels like a scene from an old detective movie. The menu offers only dorayaki, so when you order "10 pieces, please," it means "10 dorayaki, please." 1000 yen for 10 pieces. The expiration date is only for the day. The cost performance is amazing. They wrap each freshly made dorayaki in a clear, clean plastic wrap, then put it in a paper bag, and finally seal it in a slightly smaller plastic bag from the supermarket, all for 1000 yen. The red bean paste is of high quality from Tokachi, and the traditional handmade method produces a limited quantity. Despite being moderately sweet, the skin that envelops the red bean paste is also moist and delicious. I highly recommend not giving up and trying their dorayaki. A landmark for finding the shop is the local supermarket Isamiya, which has been around for 55 years. It's just a 1-minute walk from there. If you're still unsure, try asking the staff at Isamiya while shopping. I will definitely visit again. Thank you very much.

Visited around 11:10 am on a sunny Saturday. There were no customers at first, but another couple arrived later. I tried one dorayaki for 100 yen. The skin was firm, not the fluffy kind that's popular now, but a solid skin. The red bean paste was sweet, really sweet. A classic dorayaki just like the old days. Simple and delicious. The entrance of the shop is a bit set back, making it a little confusing if you can go in or not. However, a charming wooden sign that reads "Noguchi Seika" gives you the assurance. There are no displayed products inside, but you can see dorayaki lined up behind the glass door. Standing in front of the small wooden window, you are greeted with a welcome. I ordered four dorayaki, and they were put in a bag and handed to me through the glass window. There's a nostalgic feeling receiving them from this small window. It's nice.

I really admire the fact that this dorayaki is only 100 yen each. The beautifully browned dough is soft and smooth like a baby's skin. Although it has less filling compared to dorayaki from convenience stores, you can still taste the flavor and aroma of the red bean, with a perfect balance of sweetness. Truly a dorayaki from a long-established shop! This place is loved by the locals.

On June 9, 2022, I received a wonderful gift from a saintly person. It was a limited edition figure of "Ashura" sold at the Tokyo National Museum in 2009 during the Ashura Exhibition. The figure was produced by Kaiyodo and was sold out on the second day of the event. The person who gave me the gift had tears in their eyes in front of the "sold out" sign on the third day of the exhibition. They said, "We are starting to declutter our house, so we have two of these and we would like to give one to you." They even offered to cover the shipping costs, which was incredibly generous. I couldn't believe it until I received the package from the postal worker. The figure was indeed as amazing as they described. I sent a grateful email and placed it on my family altar. It was truly a precious gift. Today and tomorrow are "Ichiru Manbai" days, where a single grain of rice symbolizes abundance. It is believed to be a day when good things will happen. Feeling excited, I went to the supermarket to buy some discounted items. I found cucumbers, eggplants, and potatoes all for 100 yen each. It was a great deal! I also visited a dorayaki specialty store called "Noguchi Seika," where the owner hand-makes dorayaki and sells them until they are sold out. The owner was very kind and the dorayaki was delicious. It was simple yet flavorful, made with quality ingredients and no artificial additives. I was impressed by the owner's dedication to his craft and the affordable price of 100 yen per dorayaki. I will definitely visit the store again. The experience was delightful!

I received a gift of dorayaki on February 1, 2022. The housekeeper brought it to me. It seems there is a shop in Yomemachi. Apparently, the housekeeper's sister wants to open a dorayaki shop and is researching dorayaki from various places every day. This place seems quite famous, but I had no idea. I received it, so I decided to try it right away after eating a mountain of fried rice. I thought it would be quite sweet, but it was not too heavy, and I had a very well-balanced dorayaki. The skin is moist. The sweetness of the red bean paste is also moderate. This is elegant. Considering the price I heard, it seems like quite a bargain. I found a good shop. I want to try other flavors as well. It was a bit heavy for dessert after fried rice, but it was delicious, so I ate it all. Thank you for the meal. On this day, I also bought the No. 1 popular financier at Isetan. I said I would graduate from sweet things, but I can't graduate at all. Well, it's a no-alcohol day today, so it's okay. If I drink and eat like this, I'll gain weight in no time. I'll be careful. Thank you, housekeeper.

MF's recommended dorayaki is from "Noguchi Seika," a dorayaki specialty store with a clear focus. The simplicity of the store is commendable. Today's purchase was 5 dorayaki for 100 yen each. The store is small, with the husband diligently baking the dorayaki on a well-maintained iron plate. The dorayaki has a simple and moist texture, with a subtle sweetness that is not overpowering. The aroma of the dough is also a highlight. Although the azuki bean paste could have had more whole beans, the overall taste is good. The dorayaki has a short shelf life as it is made with traditional ingredients like flour, eggs, and sugar.

After finishing lunch on 23/06/21, I took a leisurely stroll. Despite being turned away several times before, as I passed by the store this time, the sign said they were still open! As soon as I entered the store, the polite owner seemed somewhat divine (maybe a bit exaggerated?). I bought three dorayaki for 100 yen each. When I got home, I had them as a snack at 3 o'clock. They were small, probably because they were 100 yen each. However, the skin was fluffy, the balance of the perfect sweetness of the red bean paste inside was excellent, and they were very delicious. Oh, my long-time crush has finally come true (happy). Thank you for the meal~

I saw a comment saying that these dorayaki are as good as the 4th generation dorayaki, so I went to buy them. They were only 100 yen each! Is that even possible? I ended up buying 5 because of the kind smile from the owner. Honestly, they are quite delicious. I understand now why they are recommended over the 4th generation dorayaki. Thank you for the tasty treat!

On April 27, 2021, before heading to the pop-up shop for "Chinese tea utensils," I visited a "dorayaki" shop and bought 8 dorayaki. They only make dorayaki here. I bought 4 for the shop manager as a greeting and kept the rest for myself. Sometimes they sell out in the morning, so I'm glad I could buy them. With the sweets in hand, I headed to the shop in Waseda. When I arrived, I handed the sweets to the shop owner and greeted them. I admired the antique Chinese tea utensils and purchased a "Wufu" covered bowl from the Tongzhi period and two octagonal tea cups. There was another plate I wanted, but I discussed with my wallet and decided to give it up. Maybe next time if there's a connection. Now, let's happily skip back home! I can't wait to use the tea utensils as soon as I get back. Maybe I'll have some Long Zhu tea!! Of course, with the sweets, Naguchi Seika's dorayaki. The moment I opened the bag of freshly baked dorayaki, the scent of the dorayaki skin filled the air. Dorayaki should be like this. I don't need fancy dorayaki like "raw dorayaki" or "fruit dorayaki" with excessive fillings and flavors. I'll pass on dorayaki that boasts about using honey from a certain place or other fancy talk. A fragrant, moist skin. The amount of bean paste is just right, not too much, not too little. It's just right. And it's only 100 yen per piece, tax included! A good confectionery shop is like this. The goodness of "staying the same all the time." Thank you for the delicious treat. I'll visit again.

While working overtime, a plain craft paper bag was handed to me. Inside the bag, to my surprise, was another dorayaki! Even though I was in the mood for something sweet. I graciously accepted it. When I looked at the words written on the paper bag that was handed to me, I saw the address of Yomemachi, which is a regular walking course near my home. The president lives in Minato Ward. Why a wagashi shop in Yomemachi? And one that I didn't even know about, despite being so close by. Did the president know about it? Checking on Tabelog, it seems to be quite famous locally. The rating is 3.2, which is average, but everyone's reviews are highly positive. It's easy to overlook such a shop. I immediately tried the dorayaki. It was a bit small, but elegantly sized. The moist and refined outer layer, with a firm and subtly sweet red bean paste inside, was also elegant. The sugar wasn't too strong, and the sweetness wasn't overwhelming. This was a delicious dorayaki. According to reviews, this dorayaki costs only 100 yen each. To think that such carefully made dorayaki is only 100 yen. They sell out as soon as they are made that day. I would like to visit the shop next time and try a freshly made one.

Located just a short walk from Toyomachi Station is Noguchi Seika-do, a shop that specializes in selling only dorayaki. These dorayaki sell out quickly, usually by around 2 p.m., so it is recommended to visit in the morning. Each dorayaki costs 100 yen and they are incredibly fluffy and delicious. The sweetness is also very refined, making it easy to eat about 3 in one sitting without getting tired of the simple yet satisfying taste.

I was introduced to a dorayaki specialty store by an acquaintance. Located in a back alley in Toshima-ku, Yomemachi, the store looks like a private house, so it can be hard to find. During business hours, there is a sign indicating that they are open, so you can find it while looking around. I have tried various dorayaki from the top three in Tokyo (there are various opinions) such as Kusatsuki, Usagiya, Kameju, and others like Suzumeya, but personally, I think this place is the most delicious. The dough is slightly thin but not too soft or too hard, and it is carefully baked with a moderate sweetness. The red bean paste is also carefully made, with a firm texture of the beans and a smooth and sweet taste, leaving a good aftertaste. At ¥100 for this quality, it's too cheap. It's not too big, so you can easily eat 2-3 pieces. The expiration date is the same day, so I recommend eating it early. It tastes even better if you microwave it for about 10 seconds. There is no excessive packaging, and you can feel the owner's desire to provide delicious food at a low price. If I have the opportunity to go nearby again, I will definitely buy it.

This is a recommendation from a fellow reviewer. It's a dorayaki that even those who love various types of dorayaki will approve of. While dorayaki from the well-known shops like Azuki Dorayaki, Kuromatsu, and Suzumeya tend to get all the attention, there are also local famous shops like Matsukyu in Matsudo, Makana in Hachioji, Aokiya in Fuchu, Hachi no Ki in Asagaya, Kitera in Iwamotocho, as well as Ankoya in Miyagi, Kotraya in Tokushima, and Chishuian Sohonten and Hanamura in Hokkaido. Not to forget the hidden gems like Kurozato Dorayaki from Koran, Kurofune, Suzukake Mochi, Oboro Hachizuiundo's fresh dorayaki, Shimoakatsuka Jinbay, Ito King, and famous shops like Hitomoto Ishidaya in Itabashi, Bunmeido Morikoushirou, and Gyokueido Hikokuro. You always need to keep updating the list. Someone should really create a dorayaki encyclopedia, lol. Now, let's get back to the point, this dorayaki is truly a masterpiece. The location is Yomemachi, quite far from Ikebukuro, but it's totally worth it. The shop might be a bit hard to find, so look for the signboard during business hours based on the photos. The dorayaki has a beautiful skin, fine and evenly spaced air bubbles, a fluffy texture, and a perfect balance of sweetness with the red bean paste. The red bean paste has whole beans or sparkling sweet bean paste. I'll say it again, the balance of sweetness when you chew is just right. And it's only 100 yen, how can it be so cheap!! It's on par with the top-notch dorayaki mentioned earlier. Once you buy it, it'll disappear in no time. I'll definitely go back to buy more. Thank you for the treat.

They only sell dorayaki here. They silently make dorayaki. One for 100 yen, tax included! The texture is not fluffy, but moist, with a slightly less sweet taste than regular dorayaki, so you won't get tired of it. Even as you eat, the simple aftertaste is very calming. The texture of the bean paste and the simple sweetness that is not too elaborate are to my liking. They may sell out late, so please call ahead to reserve and come early.

On this day, I planned to have lunch and go on a bread and sweets hunt in Nishi-Ikebukuro. I came out of the C2 exit of Ikebukuro Station and first visited Sanuki Udon Kono-san, but for some reason they were still preparing and the owner was sitting on a bench near the entrance smoking. Since I was just a first-time customer, I didn't have the courage to enter without being invited, so I decided to change my plans and headed to Yonoguchi Seika, a dorayaki specialty shop that I visited last week. Last time, I entered from the Yomemachi Street side, so this time I entered from the Yamanote Street side. There is a side road branching off from Yamanote Street just past Yomemachi Hospital, so I went straight there. I turned left at the first alley, which led to the back street in front of the shop. When I entered the shop, the owner greeted me from behind the small glass window, just like last time. Perhaps he remembered my face from my visit a week ago, as he was even more polite this time. I had bought two dorayaki last time, but they were so delicious that I wanted more, so this time I asked for four. The owner deeply bowed and thanked me, which made me feel even more grateful. The dorayaki I brought home was just as delicious as last time. The four dorayaki disappeared into my stomach in no time. Not only the deliciousness of the dorayaki itself, but also the humble attitude of the owner every time I visit, left a strong impression on me. After what happened in Gokokuji recently, I feel that I want to continue visiting and buying sweets made by such a person.

After enjoying a normal Chinese ramen at Rokkando, I headed towards Tokyo Metro Kanamecho Station. Unfortunately, the crepe and soft serve ice cream shop Pure Hearts, my first choice for dessert, was closed due to the coronavirus. So, I decided to visit Naguchi Seika, a dorayaki specialty shop that I had bookmarked for next time. As I walked along the street towards the shop, I noticed a signboard for "Ikebukuro Ranpo Street Shopping Street." I later found out that this area along the street towards Tokyo Metro Ikebukuro Station is called Ikebukuro Ranpo Street Shopping Street, named after the nearby former residence of Edogawa Ranpo. The street had a different vibe compared to other shopping streets like Jujo Ginza, Sugamo, or Togoshi Ginza that I had visited before. It seemed like they were making efforts to promote the area using the former residence of Edogawa Ranpo as a tourist attraction. I remembered the presence of the former residence of Edogawa Ranpo nearby and decided to make a detour to visit it. I crossed the nearest traffic light to the opposite side and walked down a back alley. After passing a new large-scale apartment building on the right, I saw the retro-looking building of the post office (Rikkyo Gakuin Postal Office) on the left, which reminded me of my childhood. The former residence of Edogawa Ranpo was located on the right side beyond the large apartment building. Across the street was Rikkyo University Building No. 5. The residence seemed to serve as an exhibition hall and residence, with the names of the current residents displayed on the entrance gate. The exhibition hall was temporarily closed due to the coronavirus. I returned to the main street and continued towards Naguchi Seika. After crossing Yamate Street, I walked a bit along Kanamecho Street until I reached Tokyo Metro Kanamecho Station's Exit 3. Just a little further to the right was a Book Off store, and I turned right at the first alley (with Okinawa soba restaurant on the corner). The third house on the left was the storefront of Naguchi Seika, located on the first floor of a regular two-story residential building. I was worried about the temporary closure due to the coronavirus, but a large signboard saying "Open for Business" reassured me. The entrance looked like a typical entrance of a house from the 40s or 50s, with an open door. As soon as I entered, I saw a small glass window resembling a reception area of an old personal clinic on the left, and a middle-aged man who seemed to be the owner wearing a mask and a white chef's hat behind it. The shop only sold one type of dorayaki for 100 yen, and customers were aware of this. There were no showcases, product lists, or price lists in the store. Customers simply had to tell the owner how many dorayaki they wanted to buy. I decided to buy only two dorayaki to eat on the same day since they contained no preservatives and had to be consumed on the day of purchase. The owner personally put the dorayaki in a brown paper bag, then placed it in a small plastic bag, along with a tray for payment, and handed it to me through a slightly open glass door. I placed two 100 yen coins on the tray for payment, and the transaction was completed.

On June 12, 2019, a new store called "Pack Zack" opened at the site of the former Ichigaya Station Nakao living dorayaki shop "DOU". It was a new business concept from the same company that brought us the popular bakery "Bake". Offering carefully selected ingredients, rare food items, special production methods, and stylish packaging, this new store introduced a fresh take on traditional Japanese sweets. The price for one dorayaki was 324 yen, and the grand opening attracted a large crowd, including bloggers and influencers. However, despite the initial success, the store eventually closed down due to a lack of customers. The original "Bake" store in Ikebukuro also closed its doors. The new store "Pack Zack" seems to be following in the footsteps of "Pablo" with a similar concept. As I headed to the station to check out the new store, I made a stop at a local confectionery shop called "Noguchi Seika" known for its fragrant "Kuchinashi" (gardenia) sweets. The shop, run by a single owner, has limited quantities of products that must be consumed on the same day of purchase. The prices have remained at 100 yen for a long time, and the owner's meticulous packaging and friendly service make it a special place to visit. Enjoying the dorayaki and cold barley tea later that evening, I realized that sometimes, simple, well-made food using ordinary ingredients can be just as delicious as gourmet treats. The experience at "Noguchi Seika" reminded me of the joy of discovering hidden gems in my local neighborhood. I look forward to visiting again.

A sophisticated dorayaki shop with a glass window where you can see the cooking area. The wonderful aroma fills the air. The dorayaki itself is exquisite - the skin is fine and sticks to your hand, with just the right amount of elasticity. The filling is subtle, but it feels like a deliberate choice to highlight the quality of the skin rather than just catering to red bean lovers. The flavor of the azuki beans comes through nicely. Overall, the sweetness is balanced. It may be traditional and basic, but you can feel the sincerity behind it. Thank you.