
A little away from the main city centre of Tokyo, Nishi Ogikubo is a neighbourhood that doesn’t show up on many top ten must-visit lists. Primarily a residential area, many quirky cafes, second hand shops and live music joints have sprung up in the past years and the place has become home for independent business and local galleries creating a charming yet down to earth vibe. Following are small unique places to eat that can’t be found anywhere else in Tokyo.
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01
Saten Matcha Cafe
Saten Matcha Cafe
Saten is a must visit for all matcha addicts. A minimalistic tea shop that seems a little out of place as it’s nestled in the low key residential area of Nishi Ogikubo, Saten has a sophisticated menu of drinks, snacks and sweets made from Matcha and Sencha. The owners aim to connect the independent cultivators of Japanese green tea in Saitama and Nagasaki to the public through their creations. The different types of drinks offered are not your typical matcha drinks and are crafted with the same elegance and refinement found in traditional Japanese tea customs. The tiny shop has limited space for seating but the menu is a magnet for its many visitors.
Saten Matcha Cafe
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02
Kome no Ko Vegan Restaurant
Kome no Ko Vegan Restaurant
Kome no Ko, literally meaning “Children of Rice”, is a vegan restaurant that wants to provide their visitors with the true taste of the natural ingredients. The interior is simple and straightforward with a comfortable place to sit and eat. The complexity comes in the meals as they aim for each one of Japan’s four distinct seasons to be tasted in each bite of their food by serving only seasonal produce and developing flavour alongside the healthiness of the meal. In spite of this the food is not pricey at all and worth going out of the way. The restaurant is open for a limited time in the day so it’s best to check the hours before going.
Kome no Ko Vegan Restaurant
- Genmai Saishoku Kome no Ko
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- Tokyo Suginami-ku Nishiogikita 3-25-1 Seven Treasure Mansion 1F
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- 03-3390-1276
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03
Amaikko
Amaikko
Amaikko is a highly popular dessert spot that serves traditional Japanese and modern treats. There is space for about 30 people inside the restaurant but a long line of people waiting outside can be expected at peak times. Visitors can indulge in sweets like anmitsu, a type of jelly made from agar, or kakigori, a classic dessert of shaved ice sweetened with condensed milk and served with a variety of flavoured syrups. The strawberry syrup is home made by a special inhouse-only recipe. The portions can be pretty large but they offer small sizes for children.
Amaikko
- 甘いっ子
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- 東京都杉並区西荻南2-20-4
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- 0333333023
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04
Re:Gendo
Re:Gendo
Re:Gendo has a wonderful concept of reusing an old shop built by local craftsmen in the Showa area as a contemporary restaurant. The interior is elegantly renovated meshing the modern and the old at the highest level of Japanese design. The food matches the space in elegance and they serve seasonal ingredients prepared in modernized versions of typical traditional dishes. Visitors can order the set dishes that have three or four sides in addition to the main dish or the vegetable sushi set. The menu also includes seasonal dishes that change throughout the year.
Re:Gendo
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05
Hatsune
Hatsune
Hatsune is a ramen bar that is ranked as the number one ramen restaurant in Nishi Ogikubo. It’s a small place that you can’t even fit inside with backpacks on and there are only six counter seats inside the bar! People come and wait in line to taste their ramen. Their clear soup attracts ramen maniacs, as well as ramen beginners. Their Tanmen (salt soup noodles with vegetables) is available from 750 yen or you can get a bigger size by adding 100 yen. You can also add chashu (slices of roasted pork) for 350 yen.
Hatsune
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06
LA CREPERIE
LA CREPERIE
LA CREPERIE is a French-style crepe stand and their vivid blue wall will catch your eyes, even from a long distance! Their crepe’s crispy yet soft texture will make your mouth happy. They are made to order, so you can watch your crepes being made right in front of you while enjoying their delicious smell. Taste their crepes with all three senses - your eyes, nose, and then (finally) with your tongue. The recommended rare cheese flavor is only 450 yen.
LA CREPERIE
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07
Khanam
Khanam
Khanam is a vegan-friendly sweets shop, with their sweets not containing any eggs, dairy, white sugar, or any other animal food products. They are also trying to be additive free, organic, and never use genetic recombination products. From young to old, pregnant people and vegan people, everyone can enjoy their sweets without worries. They are also perfect to bring home as souvenirs.
Khanam
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08
Echigo Tsuruya
Echigo Tsuruya
This is a traditional sweets shop where you can taste Japanese contentment.
Echigo tsuruya is a famous mochi (rice cake) shop that has been covered by the media! Everything that you can buy at Echigo tsuruya is additive-free. Their handmade mochi are delightful and you can watch the mochi making process from their open kitchen, too! But be aware that the store is incredibly popular and some of their products sell out by 4PM, so you better go before that! -
09
COFFEE LODGE DANTE
COFFEE LODGE DANTE
As you step inside, you will feel the warmth of this coffee shop. COFFEE LODGE DANTE is a retro-style cafe where you can truly enjoy your coffee. In most retro-style cafes in Japan, they’ll let you smoke inside. However, smoking is not allowed here. The nostalgic ambience will make you feel as though time has stopped. It’s a great place for people who want to focus on the moment with a cup of coffee in a quiet place.
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10
Tabegotoya Norabo
Tabegotoya Norabo
Norabo offers a delicious menu featuring fresh vegetables that are all grown locally. Their colorful vegetables will make you hungry! They cook their vegetables and locally caught fish very simply so that you can enjoy the natural taste that these ingredients have. As you would expect, they have changing menus, depending on what they can get from the local farm. This is the perfect place to experience the natural flavor of the Mitaka area.
Tabegotoya Norabo
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cafe ilo
cafe ilo
The name of the café, ilo, means “happiness” in Finnish and this is a place where you can literally feel happiness. It’s a vegetarian-friendly restaurant, as they always have vegetarian menu items, and if you are vegan, you can just ask them to make it vegan when you order the food. Their popular “ilo plate”, which features soup and a main dish with bread, can be substituted for vegetarian or gluten free too.
cafe ilo
- cafe ilo
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- 東京都杉並区西荻北4-4-1 102
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- 03-6795-5301
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12
Sajilo Clove
Sajilo Clove
Sajilo Clove is a famous restaurant with impressive interior decorations where you can enjoy authentic Nepali & Indian food. Select your favorite curry from their extensive menu, which also features different types of naan bread. Cheese naan is always a popular one. There curries are so tasty, you might even forget to talk with your friends! Let your stomach be satisfied by their spice!
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13
Kissako Isshin-Niyo
Kissako Isshin-Niyo
This place is for genuine tea lovers. Isshin-Niyo has various teas from China, Taiwan, Nepal, and various other places outside of Japan. You can also enjoy Japanese tea in their store. Choosing teas from their extensive selection is so much fun and the owner will be happy to show you how to make the tea you select too. They also let you choose the cup you prefer to drink your tea with!
Kissako Isshin-Niyo
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14
Ahiru No Sora
Ahiru No Sora
Ahiru No Sora is a quiet and casual restaurant where you can avoid the bustle of the big city. It’s owned by a nice couple, with the master cooking food and making coffee while his wife is in charge of making sweets, quiche, and bread. You can enjoy dinner and weekend lunches there by yourself or come with a group of people. This cozy place with wonderful owners will make you happy no matter how you experience it.
Ahiru No Sora
- アヒルの空
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- 東京都杉並区西荻北4-3-4
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- 03-6913-7680
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