Eki-citing Tokyo: 4 Washoku Restaurants to try this season
What comes to mind when someone mentions “Japanese food”? Popular examples may include sushi and sashimi, tempura, grilled fish, ramen, and even accompaniments like ohitashi, pickles, chawanmushi, and miso soups—the list is endless! Japanese food comes in all shapes, colours, and sizes—but have you ever wondered what makes Japanese food “Japanese”?
The secret lies in the “wa” in washoku.
What is Washoku?
First, let’s examine the kanji that makes up the word washoku (和食 Japanese cuisine). While the latter “shoku” (食) can be unanimously translated as “food” without much debate, the former “wa” (和) actually holds a deeper meaning than the over-simplified translation of “Japanese”. “和” represents peace, harmony, or balance—concepts that embodies “the Japanese spirit” that manifests in the nation’s values, beliefs, culture, and of course, food.
In short, washoku refers to a wide spectrum of traditional Japanese cuisine that are prepared with meticulous detail and heart. Special attention is put from the seasonality of the ingredients, to the balance in colours, textures, and nutrition, and even the choice of tableware and aesthetics of the meal. Often, washoku entails a combination of a staple like rice or noodles, and side dishes made with this season’s best ingredients—designed to let each item’s natural flavours shine through.
With food being so closely intertwined with local everyday life, it makes perfect sense that some of the best washoku are found in the heart of Tokyo City (東京)—in fact, right within Tokyo Station (東京駅 Tōkyō-eki) itself! Besides being one of Japan’s key transport hubs, Tokyo Station is also where different washoku restaurants from all over the country gather to serve their best to daily commuters and foreign visitors alike.
Not sure where to start? Check out this article to get directions to Gransta Tokyo. (Image credit: JR East Cross Station Co., Ltd.)
Now, it’s time to dive headfirst into the gourmet tour around Tokyo Station. The newly-opened Gransta Tokyo, the largest in-station shopping area offered in any JR East station, is the perfect starting point. Here are 4 washoku restaurants in Gransta Tokyo to satisfy your taste buds.
1. Mikata
Recommended dish: Assortment of three kinds of meat and innards with five kinds of Japanese namul (Image credit: Dream Studio)
Mikata specialises in serving premium Tajima Beef. Unlike most yakiniku restaurants where the customers are left to do their own grilling, the expert chefs in Mikata will take charge of the grilling, serving up each cut of meat to perfection. Here’s a great hack for you: order their signature Assortment of three kinds of meat and innards with five kinds of Japanese namul (焼肉＆ホルモン焼き3種と和ナムル5種盛り合わせ) to taste the restaurant’s specialities all at once. This value-for-money platter includes a great variety of items, such as a prime cut of Tajima Beef loin, black-fur wagyu horumon (innards) served in saikyo style, and five kinds of homemade namul (seasoned vegetables).
Jun-Tajimaushi MIKATA powered by GORIO (純但馬牛 美方 powered by GORIO)
Shop location: B1F, Gransta Tokyo
Opening hours: 8am–10pm (Monday-Saturday / Public Holidays), 8am–9pm (Sundays / Last day of long holidays)
Tel: +81 3-6269-9908
2. Ito Washigoro Shoten
Recommended dish: Special Yakitori Jyu (Image credit: Ito Washigoro Shoten)
If this restaurant’s name stands out to you, it’s because “Ito Washigoro'' is the name of the founder of the renowned Sanwa Group in Japan. As the flagship store of the Sanwa Group, the restaurant is known for using a special chicken breed—the Nagoya Cochin—to prepare all their chicken dishes. The Special Yakitori Jyu (pictured above) is no different: it includes homemade tsukune (minced chicken), negima (chicken with Japanese leek), kawa (chicken skin), and bonjiri (chicken’s coccyx) all made from their signature Nagoya Cochin. To meet the needs of the unique demographic in Tokyo Station, this branch offers dine-in and take out services, alcoholic drinks, and snacks.
The secret of Ito Washigoro Shoten’s longstanding success lies in their famous Nagoya Cochin chicken itself. As the Sanwa Group carefully manages the entire procurement process from breeding and cultivation to distribution and cooking, they’re confident in maintaining the high-standards in Ito Washigoro Shoten. Even the oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) and tamagoyaki (Japanese omelette) are prepared using Nagoya Cochin eggs!
Ito Washigoro Shoten (伊藤和四五郎商店)
Shop location: B1F, Gransta Tokyo
Opening hours: 8am–9:45pm (Mondays–Saturdays/Public Holidays), 8am–8:45pm (Sundays/Last day of long holidays)
Tel: +81 3-6269-9338
3. Kindai University Aquaculture Institute Restaurant Annex
Recommended dish: Kindai Kohaku Teoke Sushi (Image credit: Kindai University Aquaculture Institute Restaurant Annex)
In their mission to protect marine resources, the Kindai University Aquaculture Institute Restaurant Annex specialises in using ethically-farmed fish that are completely raised and cultivated from Kindai University.
Served in a traditional teoke (hand bucket), their signature dish, Kindai Kohaku Teoke Sushi, is a feast for the eyes and stomach. The brilliant splash of red (Kindai-raised bluefin tuna) and white (Kindai-raised sea bream) symbolises auspiciousness and good luck in Japanese culture, making this dish perfect for any special occasion or celebratory treat. Even the rice used is special—known as the Kinsho Kenkomai, this rice has been developed by the Kindai research team and meticulously seasoned with red vinegar.
Kindai University Aquaculture Institute Restaurant Annex (近畿大学水産研究所 はなれ)
Shop location: 1F (Central Passage & Atrium Area), Gransta Tokyo
Opening hours: 8am–10pm (Mondays–Saturdays/Public Holidays), 8am–9pm (Sundays/Last day of long holidays)
Tel: +81 3-6259-1096
4. TOUBEI
Recommended dish: Small Noriben Cup from the Choice Cup selection. (Image credit: TOUBEI)
TOUBEI is a specialty bento shop with a keen focus on good taste and pleasing aesthetics. Serving up to 10 kinds of healthy Choice Cups with no artificial preservatives and chemical seasonings, customers are invited to pick and choose their favourite combinations that suits their mood of the day.
If you’re craving for something refreshing and healthy, consider ordering their Small Noriben Cup from their Choice Cup selection menu. Don’t underestimate this cute bento—it features several star-worthy ingredients: bonito flakes from Ninben, grilled seaweed from Yamagataya, and salt-grilled silver salmon from Ajino-Hamatoh. Bonus mention: go for their Salmon Cutlet Sandwich if you’re planning to eat on the go. This delicious sandwich features high-grade salmon carefully breaded with panko crumbs, and finally topped with tartar sauce made with domestic eggs and sweet onions.
TOUBEI
Shop location: 1F Central Passage & Atrium Area, Gransta Tokyo
Opening hours: 8am–10pm (Mondays–Saturdays/Public Holidays), 8am–9pm (Sundays/Last day of long holidays)
Tel: +81 3-6206-3398
Stand a chance to win a Tokyo Omiyage
(Image credit: JR Times)
Still hungry for Tokyo? This month, JAPAN RAIL CAFE is holding a quiz where you can stand a chance to bring home your very own Tokyo omiyage. To participate, simply answer a few simple questions after reading this article. The closing date of the quiz is on 31 May 2021, open to all residents of Singapore.
What are you waiting for? Click here to participate in the quiz now!
This article is written in collaboration with Tokyo Station City.
Header image credit: Ito Washigoro Shoten
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