Introduction
If you want to experience Japanese food culture, you should not miss Chikado, a famous monjayaki restaurant in Tsukishima, Tokyo. founded in 1950, Chikado is one of the most famous and long-established restaurants in Tsukishima, the birthplace of monjayaki, and has been loved by locals and tourists for years.
Chikado’s monjayaki is exceptionally delicious because it is made with the freshest ingredients and grilled with artisanal techniques. In particular, the popular “Special Chikado Monja” and “Old-Fashioned Monja” continue to entice the taste buds of visitors. The restaurant also offers a wide variety of creative menu items, such as the “Bacon Tomato Cheese Monja” made with bacon, tomatoes, and cheese, to keep regular customers coming back for more.
The interior of the restaurant is a clean and comfortable space that has been renovated while retaining the atmosphere of the Showa period, with counter and table seating available. It is the perfect place for families and friends to spend a pleasant time together.
When you visit Tokyo, please enjoy authentic monjayaki at Chikado and get a taste of Tokyo’s downtown culture. The delicious taste and warm hospitality will surely leave you with wonderful memories.
Recommended Menu
Special Chikado Monja
Chikado’s signature dish, “Special Chikado Monja,” is a sumptuous monjayaki filled with shrimp, squid, octopus, corn, beef, soba noodles, and other ingredients. The seafood broth and special sauce intertwine perfectly, and you will be surprised at how delicious it is with every bite.
Old-Fashioned Monja
The “old-fashioned monja” is a simple monja-yaki with a Showa-era flavor. It is made with traditional ingredients such as cabbage, tenkasu, and sakura shrimps, giving it a relaxing taste.
Bacon Tomato Cheese Monja
Bacon Tomato Cheese Monja is an Italian-style monja-yaki. The juicy flavor of bacon, the acidity of tomatoes, and the melted cheese are a perfect match, making it a very popular dish among women.
Mochi Mentaiko Monja
Mochi Mentaiko Monja is characterized by the soft texture of mochi and the spiciness of mentaiko. Combined with the special sauce, you can enjoy an even deeper flavor.
Beef Kimchi Monja
Beef Kimchi Monja” is a monja-yaki dish that perfectly combines the spicy kimchi with the flavor of beef. It features Korean-style seasoning and goes well with rice.
These menu items are all special gems that can only be found at Chikado. When you visit Tokyo, be sure to enjoy authentic monjayaki at Chikado. Chikado’s monjayaki will surely enrich your trip.
How to experience and enjoy
How to enjoy the restaurant
When visiting Chikado, we recommend that you first enjoy your meal inside the restaurant. Monjayaki is cooked in front of you by professional staff, and you can enjoy watching the process. The sound and aroma of the food being grilled on the teppan (iron plate) will whet your appetite, and the process of completing the dish can be enjoyed as entertainment.
Experience grilling by yourself
At Chikado, you can experience grilling monjayaki by yourself. You can cook monjayaki on a teppan set up on the table, adjusting the degree of cooking to your own liking. The experience of making your own original monjayaki while having fun with friends and family will be a special memory.
Enjoy the seasonal menu
Chikado sometimes offers a limited menu for each season. You can enjoy seasonal flavors such as monjayaki made with seasonal vegetables in the spring and refreshing flavors in the summer. Each time you visit, you will discover something new, making you want to come back again and again.
Enjoy the Local Atmosphere
Chikado is a restaurant loved by locals, and you can feel the warm atmosphere when you visit. Messages and photos of visiting customers are displayed in the store, giving visitors a taste of local culture. When visiting as a tourist, you will have a more in-depth experience by interacting with the locals while enjoying your meal.
Share on social media
Another way to enjoy your meal is to take photos of your meal and share them on social media. Chikado’s monjayaki is beautiful to look at, and sharing it on Instagram or Facebook is a great way to communicate with friends and followers. You can also discover new menus and ways to enjoy monjayaki by looking at other people’s posts.
The monjayaki experience at Chikado is more than a meal; it is a wonderful visual, olfactory, and tactile experience. Try different ways to enjoy and create unforgettable memories.
Manners
Manners in the restaurant
When enjoying a meal at Chikado, please observe the following manners to ensure a pleasant experience with other customers. Conduct quiet conversation in the restaurant and try not to disturb others. It is especially important to be considerate of each other when sitting at the counter or at a table. Also, when leaving your seat, organize your belongings so that the next customer can use the restaurant comfortably.
Manners when grilling your own monja-yaki
When grilling your own monja-yaki, be careful not to inconvenience other customers. Be careful about the temperature of the teppan and the degree of doneness, and enjoy the dish safely. It is also good manners to clean the griddle after grilling. Keep this in mind so that the next customer can use it comfortably.
Manners for taking pictures
When taking pictures of your meal, do not use a flash and be careful not to disturb other customers or staff. When your food is brought to you, finish taking pictures quickly and try to enjoy your food before it gets cold.
Manners while waiting
Because Chikado is a popular restaurant, there may be a long line of customers waiting in line. It is important to keep an appropriate distance from other customers while waiting and to keep your turn. If using a smartphone, keep the volume low or use earphones and be considerate of those around you. It is important to be considerate of each other, especially during busy times.
Consideration for waitstaff
Be courteous to waitstaff when ordering and paying. Also, if the waiter seems busy, it is important to be considerate and wait a little longer. It is not customary to tip in Japan, so please keep this in mind as well.
By observing these manners, your dining experience at KONDO will be more pleasant and enjoyable. Please enjoy the delicious monjayaki to the fullest while respecting Japanese food culture.
Access
Access from Tokyo Station
Chikado is conveniently located within easy reach of Tokyo Station. It can be accessed by the following methods.
Access by train
- from Tokyo Station, take the JR Keiyo Line and get off at Hatchobori Station. It takes about 3 minutes. 2.
From Hatchobori Station, transfer to the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line and get off at Tsukiji Station. It takes about 2 minutes. 3. - from Tsukiji Station, transfer to the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, get off at Tsukishima Station, and walk about 7 minutes.
Access by bus
- from Tokyo Station, take Toei Bus No. East 16 (bound for Tokyo Big Sight) and get off at Tsukishima 3-chome bus stop. The trip takes about 15 minutes. 2.
- it takes about 5 minutes on foot from Tsukishima 3-chome bus stop.
Access by Taxi
If you take a cab from Tokyo Station, it takes about 10 minutes. The time may vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is often a smooth ride.
Please use these access methods to get to Chikado comfortably.
Business hours and holidays
Chikado Honten is loved by many customers as a famous monjayaki restaurant. When visiting, please refer to the following business hours and regular closing days.
Business Hours
- Weekdays:** 17:00 – 22:00 (last order 21:30)
- Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: 11:30 – 22:00 (last order 21:30)
Closed
- Open all year round (Closed only during the year-end and New Year holidays: December 31 – January 3)
Chikado Honten is open in the evening on weekdays and from lunch time on weekends and holidays. It is basically open every day of the year except during the year-end and New Year holidays, so please check the hours when you visit and enjoy delicious monjayaki.
Reservations and queue management
Reservations
Chikado is a very popular monjayaki restaurant, so reservations are recommended. Reservations can be made in the following ways: 1.
- Reservations by phone: You can make reservations by calling the main Chikado restaurant directly. It is best to make reservations in advance, especially on weekends and holidays when crowds are expected. 2.
- Online Reservations: You can easily make reservations online using the official website or reservation site. This is especially convenient if you are traveling and difficult to call.
Measures to Prevent Lines
Because Chikado is a popular restaurant, lines often form, especially during peak hours. Please refer to the following countermeasures to avoid queues.
Visit early in the day
Visiting early, just after the store opens or before lunch time, makes it easier to avoid lines. Weekday evenings and just after opening on weekends are often relatively empty.
Visit on weekdays
Weekends and holidays are especially crowded, so visiting on a weekday can reduce wait times. Especially aim for Monday through Thursday during the daytime.
Use off-peak hours
Avoiding peak lunch and dinner hours can reduce wait times. For example, between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. is often relatively empty.
Check real-time information
It is also useful to check the official website and social media for information on crowds and wait times in advance. Check real-time information to ensure that you visit at the optimal time.
How to spend a comfortable waiting time
If you cannot avoid waiting in line, you can make the most of your waiting time by visiting nearby tourist spots and cafes. Since there are many attractive spots around Tsukishima, you can adjust your time while enjoying sightseeing.
Please use these measures to enjoy an enjoyable dining experience in Chikado. By planning your visit, you can enjoy delicious monjayaki in a smooth and comfortable manner.
Reviews and Ratings
Chikado is a popular monjayaki restaurant that has received many high ratings for its great taste and service. Below are some of Chikado’s attractions as seen through reviews on word-of-mouth sites and social networking services.
Evaluation on Taste
Chikado’s monjayaki is characterized by its “exquisite texture, crispy on the outside and melty on the inside. The “Special Chikado Monja” and “Mochi Mentaiko Monja” are especially popular, with many customers saying that “the generous amount of ingredients makes it very satisfying” and “the special sauce is exquisite and addictive. Many reviewers say they enjoy a new taste each time they visit.
Ratings on Service
Chikado’s staff is known for being friendly and approachable. Many reviewers say, “They are courteous to tourists,” and “They are happy to be friendly with children.” In particular, the service where the staff cooks monja-yaki for first-timers to enjoy is highly rated.
Evaluation regarding the line and waiting time
Because Chikado is extremely popular, lines often form, especially on weekends and during lunch hours. However, some reviewers say that if you aim for off-peak hours on weekdays, you can enter the restaurant relatively smoothly. There are also many positive comments such as “Even if the waiting time is long, I can kill time at nearby tourist spots or cafes, which is one of the things I look forward to.
Overall Evaluation
Overall, Chikado receives high marks for taste, service, and atmosphere. The restaurant is loved by locals and tourists alike, and is definitely worth a stop when visiting Tokyo. Your monjayaki experience in Chikado will surely enrich your trip.
We hope you enjoy your monjayaki experience at Chikado based on these evaluations. You are sure to have a satisfying meal and wonderful memories.
Summary
Chikado, a famous monjayaki restaurant, has been a long-time favorite in Tsukishima, Tokyo. Its delicious taste and service are highly appreciated by many people, especially its popular menu items such as “Special Chikado Monja” and “Mochi Mentaiko Monja”. The friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere of the restaurant make even first-time visitors feel at ease.
At Chikado, you can experience Japanese food culture through the pleasure of grilling your own monja and having the staff grill it in front of you. Lines often form, but by visiting early or during off-peak hours on weekdays, you can enjoy your meal smoothly.
When you visit Tokyo, be sure to enjoy authentic monjayaki at Chikado. The delicious taste and warm hospitality will surely leave you with wonderful memories. We hope you will spend a heartwarming time experiencing Japanese downtown culture through monjayaki.
