さすらいつばめ
In the dead of night at 2 am, even when the grass and trees are asleep, Kabukicho never rests. Feeling hungry, I decided to head to this restaurant that's open late at night. There's a certain forbidden thrill in having a burger in the middle of the night. The restaurant, called "Hyakumeiten," is not open 24 hours, but it stays open until 4 am. The hustle and bustle outside the restaurant were typical of Kabukicho, but inside, there were no customers, and I had the place to myself. The cute female staff, a bit different from the usual image of late-night Kabukicho, were running the place. Even in the dead of night, Kabukicho in Japan feels peaceful and safe. You buy your food ticket from a machine, and your order is automatically placed. There were options like foie gras, teriyaki, and chicken, but I settled on the most popular choice, the "Cheeseburger (1520 yen)." I added a fried egg (250 yen) on top. Of course, I also got a side of fries and a drink set (530 yen) because what's a burger without fries and a drink, right? Despite the late hour, I felt the need to order a substantial meal. The drink set included cola, ginger ale, and tea, with self-service refills. I would have liked to see more variety, like orange juice or fruit drinks, but the cola options included zero-calorie choices, showing the restaurant's attention to detail. The fries were crispy and thin, with a slightly irregular shape that added to their homemade feel. The main event, the burger, arrived semi-opened. The buns were soft and fluffy, and the rich flavor of the coarse-ground beef patty complemented them perfectly. The patty, made from Japanese beef, was of exceptional quality, justifying the price. The combination of cheese, fried egg, and meat was simply divine. The variety of burgers and toppings, like foie gras, made this place stand out. Being able to enjoy such high-quality burgers all night long was a true pleasure. This burger joint embodies the eclectic charm and diversity of Shinjuku's Kabukicho, offering a truly exceptional dining experience.