Where to Eat in Nakano

On a trip out to West Tokyo, this is what feels right: homey and inexpensive options. To contrast Nakano, again, with its neighboring Special Wards, there is definitely a more local feel. The crowd at the homey ramen and pizza joints will be lowkey bohemian but less patchouli or vintage Ann Demeulemeester than a Koenji or Kichijoji crowd. Nakano is a great part of Tokyo to stroll away an afternoon, and then stop for a bite to eat before catching the train back into Central Tokyo.

Biao Hoi Chop Vietnamese Food

One unexpected element that visitors to off the beaten track locations in Tokyo soon discover: this is a surprisingly multicultural city. The Vietnamese are particularly well represented: the Japanese policy toward Vietnamese refugees in the 1970s was particularly warm, and more Vietnamese citizens arrived through the 1990s and 2000s. Restaurants like Biao Hoi Chop Vietnamese Food are an authentic taste of Ho Chi Minh City in an unlikely location.

Biao Hoi Chop Vietnamese Food

In Vietnamese, bia hoi refers to both the kitschy beer hall and the product fizzy draft beer itself. Part of a miniature empire of Vietnamese joints that includes the Ebisu Banh Mi Bakery, Bia Hoi Chop is a take on that Vietnamese beer hall culture, so apart from homey Vietnamese dishes like pho ga, chicken noodles, com ga, chicken and rice, there is also an extensive menu of Vietnamese beers by tap or bottle.

ビアホイチョップ

東京都中野区中野5-53-1 1F

0359424532

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Wooom Burger Bar

For all the talk about public transit, affordable rent and reverence for arts and culture, this is the kind of thing that really makes Tokyo the most liveable city on the planet: dive bars with a great burger. Wooom Burger Bar mixes a stiff, cheap drink, and makes a no nonsense burger (or go ahead and try the jerk chicken burger, or the Italiano!) with big fat home fries on the side.

WOOOM(ウーム)

東京都中野区中野5-68-16 岡本ビル2F

03-5942-6124

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Pizzeria Bar Napoli

Imagine, for a moment, Japanese pizza yes, there are those monstrous pies decked out in canned corn, mayonnaise and seafood… But, under the leadership of a cadre of dedicated pizzaioli, Tokyo has quietly become one of the best destinations for a slice of the real deal. A short walk north from Nakano Station, sits a branch of local chain Pizzeria Bar Napoli, one of the cheap and cheerful takes on the authentic pie. Most pies run under 1000 yen and, during the daily 3pm to 8pm happy hour, all go for 500 yen apiece.

ナプリモ 中野店

東京都中野区中野5-60-2 ライオンズプラザ中野 1F

0359427855

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Unjami Okinawan Food

Kitted out like a true Okinawan hole in the wall, Unjami Okinawan Food offers a taste of the islands in West Tokyo. There’s a tiki bar vibe, strong cocktails made with tropical fruit and local liquor, and a menu that even Okinawa cuisine neophytes won’t have trouble navigating. The menu has the favorites, like goya chanpuru, stirfried bitter melon with tofu, Okinawa soba, the local noodle soup, and plenty of fried Spam.

海神

東京都中野区中野5-55-1 RGビル1F

0353455836

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Aoba Ramen Bar

Aoba Ramen Bar routinely makes best of lists ranking the city’s thousands of ramen shops, and it’s also come to the attention of the Michelin Guide, not yet earning a star but receiving the Bib Gourmand designation awarded to fine restaurants with reasonable prices. The shop has limited options, focusing on a proprietary blend of broth made from dried sardines and a pork based broth. The tsukemen chewy noodles served separately from a dank niboshi sardine soup is particularly sublime.

中華そば 青葉 中野本店

東京都中野区中野5-58-1

0333885552

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