Where to Eat in Koenji

El Pato

Sat along one of the most heavily shop packed streets of Koenji directly north of the station, El Pato oozes delicious barbecue smells to match its good vibes. Divided in half by a low wooden bar, the restaurant seats guests at one side and the kitchen at the other allowing owner Kioshi san to cook up magical meat dishes while chatting away to his customers in Japanese and English.

Head here on a sunny day and you can make the most of the rare opportunity in Tokyo to eat outside while enjoying the irresistible tastes of pulled pork, BLTs, and flavoursome salads, all washed down with a craft beer or a glass of homemade honey umeshu or awamori.

El Pato

ELPato

4.5

12 Reviews

Tokyo Suginami-ku Koenjikita 2-22-10

0367957888

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Hayashimaru

In spite of its modest positioning tucked down an alleyway in the north of Koenji, Hayashimaru is known Tokyo wide as producing one of the capital’s best bowls of wontonmen (pronounced wantanmen in Japanese). Originally a Chinese dish, wontonmen is a variation of ramen that includes deliciously satisfying pork dumplings that sit in the soup. The main chef at the Hayashimaru helm received some of the country’s best wonton training at the prestigious Tantanmei instituion which you can test for yourself at the counter for a fair price of 900 yen.

menya hayashimaru

4.0

12 Reviews

Tokyo Suginami-ku Kouenjikita 2-22-11

0333306877

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Baan esan

A consistent favourite among Koenji regulars, Baan esan is arguably one of Tokyo’s best Thai restaurants and just a two minute walk from the station. Found on the left hand side at the very top of Koenji’s shopping arcade Pal Street, this is the spot to fill up on a delicious, authentic, and affordable Thai curry or pad thai. Jet lag got you into funny eating patterns? Pop in any time before 5:30 pm and you’ll catch the generous lunch deal offering meals between 550 and 750 yen followed by just a small rise in prices for dinner which runs until 10 pm.

バーン・イサーン

東京都杉並区高円寺南4-25-8 第2高円寺KSビル1階

0333151005

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Bochi Bochi

A hit among the Koenji youth, okonomiyaki restaurant Bochi Bochi is an easy dinner spot for sharing cheap, wholesome Japanese pancake with a date or among friends. Hidden up on the first floor overlooking Koenji Station North Exit, Bochi Bochi is simple food with quaint retro vibes from its wooden interior to the Showa style music that leaks from the speakers. Pick up a standard okonomiyaki pancake beefed up with seafood and meat or a half price monja yaki okonomiyaki’s slightly less attractive but equally fun brother from Tokyo.

Menya Hanabi Koenji Kitaguchi

4.0

9 Reviews

Tokyo Suginami-ku Koenji-kita 3-22-16 Matsuya Koenji Building 2F

0333361337

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Rainbow Cafe & Grill

A cosy spot just off Pal Street, Rainbow Cafe & Grill offers varied healthy set lunch plates as well as a great choice of shareables and dishes a la carte. The restaurant comes into full swing at night when the string lights dotted around the comfy seating give it a warm glow making it a relaxing dinner hideout. Fridays promise half price drinks for ladies when you order a dish which continues until the doors close at 4 am.

RAINBOW

東京都杉並区高円寺南3-47-8 2F

0353056789

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