First of all, I want to say that the restaurant I'm introducing today is not a famous restaurant that focuses on the ingredients used, nor is it a privately run restaurant with a great atmosphere. It's a chain restaurant that offers affordable prices that are friendly to the common man, and the quality is in line with that price.
It's nice to finish work right on time and have a cheap drink here. However, I like to come here when I'm exhausted after a tough job or after working overtime. I'd like to introduce you to "Ichibankan Yoyogi Branch," a restaurant that somehow attracts tired bodies and minds.
Not super cheap, but ridiculously cheap!?
The thing that soaks into my tired body is the 250 yen draft beer.
They are now offering medium-sized draft beers on a permanent basis. Highballs are also priced at an exceptionally reasonable 150 yen.
Here in Yoyogi, Ichibankan has earned a high score on Tabelog, with an incredibly cheap dinner budget of up to 999 yen .
This is not the price for just a few drinks. It is not impossible to achieve this score while eating and drinking properly. Such "reasonable prices" are one of the attractions of Ichibankan.
You can generally tell if a place is cheap (i.e. good) by looking at the price of a medium mug of draft beer. Ichibankan's draft beer is only 250 yen! It definitely meets the passing mark (350 yen, for me).
In addition to alcohol, the food menu is also extensive. There is a wide selection, including classic a la carte dishes such as fried chicken and bamboo shoots, noodles and rice bowls, and set meals that are great for lunch. There are also dishes such as sesame dumplings that are not listed on the official website , and all of the items are very reasonably priced. Even if you end up ordering too much, you will be surprised at how cheap it is when you pay the bill.
The other day, I ordered a lot and it was cheap, so I'll eat this too, drink one more drink... As a result, I end up drinking and eating like crazy and having a good time. It's not really super cheap, it's just ridiculously cheap.
Apparently there are over 20 different kinds of ramen alone. But isn't 330 yen a bowl a little too cheap?
Even if my wallet is a little tight, sometimes I want to go out for a drink with everyone. Also, I'm really hungry, so I want to eat a good meal.
I only go alone, but I'm sure you all have times like that too. This is the perfect place for you.
There are also customers who come from far away.
The presence of a carefree store manager (?)
The manager (?) (center) moves around at an incredible speed. When the store gets busy with customers, he doesn't stay still for a moment.
I think one of the qualities that make a good restaurant is one that people who used to frequent there but now live far away can drop in to when they happen to be in the area.
The key point is that it's "by chance" and not "on purpose." I don't always think about it, but I remember it when I go to that town. That's because I feel comfortable in that store.
One day when I stopped by Ichibankan, there was a customer like that there.
"Y-you know, whenever I come to Yoyogi I always remember the manager."
"It's been a really long time!"
The person who was smiling and talking to me was probably the manager of the restaurant. I say "probably" because I've never actually checked. But he's always in the restaurant, and he comes forward to bring the food and take the bill... so he's probably the manager.
No, to be honest, it doesn't really matter. They seem friendly, but they don't force themselves to talk to customers who are alone. But no matter how busy they seem, they always smile and respond to customers who call out to them. Their slightly aloof character is indescribable, and it's what makes Ichibankan Yoyogi store so comfortable.
It feels like being here means I'm an important person, and that's nice.
So far, I have talked about the appeal of Ichibankan Yoyogi store, but as it is, it is just "an affordable chain store with an interesting old man."
I can't explain why coming here after a tough day's work and being exhausted after working overtime is my favorite place to be.
This is a bit personal, and it has to do with my own personality, so I'm a bit embarrassed to say this...
Being "tekito" is a gentle, light and kind thing that can help loosen up stiff shoulders.
Today I splurged and got shrimp fried rice (500 yen), but I usually get the "approximately 800 yen set" which includes fried rice for 390 yen, four gyoza for 160 yen, and draft beer for 250 yen.
I'm a naturally stupid person. I forgot this, I didn't do that, I tried but I didn't do it... I was told to get my act together every day, but that's how I got to where I am today.
But at work, that's not an option. Every day, you have to be on your toes and pay close attention to make sure nothing is overlooked or you make any mistakes, and you have to somehow climb up the mountain of tasks and issues that have piled up.
I have to work harder than others to finally be on par with them. Because of this, sometimes it's a bit tiring to pay a fair amount of money to eat delicious, elaborate food. I don't know what to say, but I don't want to put in the effort anymore. Especially when I fail or am tired, I even feel inferior...
As I wrote at the beginning, Ichibankan may not be called a "super delicious restaurant." But there is a "nice casualness" to this place.
"Tekito" is exactly what it means to be "appropriate." As a place to drop in for a quick drink after a tiring day at work, the prices, the speed at which your order is ready in under five minutes, the quality of the drink just right for a tired stomach late at night, and the service of bringing a big pitcher of water and saying "you can do the rest yourself" - everything feels just right to suit your mood at the time.
Also, when I'm completely exhausted, the fried rice, gyoza, and 250 yen medium-sized mug of beer that the waiter places in front of me feels like it's telling me:
"There's no need to be so nervous. Right now, you're fine just the way you are."
…Well, maybe I’m just a little tired…
Well, none of this is what the fried rice guys intended, it's just what I feel when I see their carelessness.
There are some really good dishes on the menu,
Add it to your options.
The sign has recently been renewed
I am attracted to "quality that matches the price," and there are some simply delicious menu items, such as mapo tofu and pickled mustard greens, that make me think "If only I could eat this for this price!"
It seems to be popular among people in the Yoyogi area as a place where you can get reasonably priced drinks and enjoy pretty decent food.
By 8:00 p.m. the restaurant is usually full.
Please drop by if you are in the area.
The recommended set is fried rice, four dumplings, and a medium-sized mug of draft beer. You can also change the dumplings to kimchi, bamboo shoots, or other 190 yen dishes.
Even if you have a slightly disappointing night, it's okay, Ichibankan will welcome you in with ease, and be kind to your wallet and your heart.
The fluffy mapo tofu and the crispy pickled mustard greens with white onions make for a great snack to go with your alcoholic drinks.
Chinese Restaurant Ichibankan Yoyogi Branch
Yamato Building 1F, 1-55-2 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
TEL 03-5358-0868
Opening times
11:00-24:00
Last order: 23:30
Open all year round
http://kvc-ichibankan.co.jp/p209.htm
TANAKA Natsumi