mindshaker
Arrived at the restaurant at 11:20 on a holiday, right when it opened. I got there at 10:50, but there was no one lined up in front of the store... When I asked the staff member in front of me, "Is it okay to line up here?" they replied, "It's okay, but we open at 11:20, 11:20..." in a kind of like, do I really have to line up now? haha. Probably because all the surrounding restaurants had already started business, there weren't many people lining up at a time like this before the store opened. However, as it approached 11 o'clock, more people began to line up, and by the time I entered, there were more than 15 people behind me. At exactly 11:20, the store opened and I was directed to the second floor. The second floor seating area was comfortable with effective air conditioning. But of course, beer is a must haha. ★Bottled beer Asahi ¥590 x2 ★Menma and Zasai half portion ¥450 ★Gyoza (6 pieces) ¥800 ★Shrimp fried rice ¥1000 ★Yakisoba ¥770 Total ¥4200 With the beer, a small plate of stir-fried bean sprouts was complimentary and it had a crunchy texture that was delicious. The Menma and Zasai half portion had a lot of broth and the Menma was sweetly flavored while the Zasai had a nice salty taste, creating a perfect combination. The portion was generous, and just with this, you could easily have 2 or 3 beers. The Gyoza was huge! And delicious! The skin was thick and not too moist, giving it a crispy rather than chewy texture. The well-cooked sear on the outside had a wonderful texture, more crispy than crunchy. Additionally, the filling with plenty of vegetables had a crunchy texture, creating a good overall balance. Despite being large and satisfying, the light and crispy texture made it easy to eat more and more, without feeling heavy, and it was delicious. The Shrimp fried rice was a simple and gently flavored fried rice with ham, green onions, and plenty of small shrimp. Despite the gentle seasoning, the saltiness and umami of the ham made it satisfying, and it was a delicious dish that you could keep eating without getting tired. The Yakisoba was a simple salt yakisoba, and if ordered as a single item, it might feel a bit lacking, but as one of several dishes, its simplicity was actually a good thing. The noodles had a good texture, and the stir-fried cabbage and bean sprouts had a crunchy texture that matched well, making it delicious. The atmosphere in the restaurant was cozy. The older customers were Japanese, while the young staff members seemed to be either Chinese or from other Asian countries, but everyone seemed friendly and the atmosphere was lively. The veteran staff members accepted the young foreign staff as part of the team and communication was solid, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Overall, the flavors were not overly strong but still delicious, with a gentle seasoning that wasn't too light or too heavy, and a mild taste with less salt compared to the amount of MSG. Although it is a popular and well-known restaurant, perhaps because its opening time is later than the surrounding restaurants, there were surprisingly few people lining up before opening. However, after opening, it became just as busy as the other restaurants, so there was a decent line. So, if you don't want to wait too long, it might be better to go before the opening time. I would definitely visit again, and I would actively use this restaurant when visiting the Ueno-Okachimachi area.