[Tokyo] While Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world, you still can find affordable eats, even in the heart of Shinjuku.
Let me direct you to Tatsuya, a hole-in-the-wall eatery specializing in Gyudon (¥350) which is simmered beef on rice, and Katsu Don (¥450) – pork cutlet with egg on rice.
¥350 is only about SGD4.30, or USD3.15.
To find Tatusya, it is a short 5 minutes’ walk or so from Shinjuku Sanchome, with an inconspicuous sign that wrote “たつ屋 since 1969”.
Items on the menu include Oyako Don (¥400) – Chicken and Egg Bowl with egg; Chicken Bowl (¥400) – deep fried chicken cooked with special soy sauce; and Beef and Pork Cutlet Bowl (¥550).
If you would like something simpler, you can choose and Egg Bowl (¥350) with deep fried tofu and naruto.
Ask for an English menu as there are no pictorial ones available.
When in doubt, get the Gyudon (“gyu” means cow”, while “don” is short for “donburi” or “rice bowl”) which consists of a bowl of steaming fluffy rice topped with beef and onions simmered in a mildly sweet sauce.
The staff strength is lean, but the friendly elderly cooks will whip up warm bowls of donburi, complete with tender slices of beef.
You would love it if you enjoying something slightly wet and comforting. The beef was not exactly superbly tender or of top-notch quality, but for the price, you are getting quite a substantial portion.
The other popular choice is the Katsu Don (¥450), in which you get deep-fried pork cutlet – it was not melt-in-mouth soft but still tender; runny egg and onions cooked in a savoury and sweet broth placed over steamed rice.
Again, this seems to be a saucier and wetter version, perhaps it is easier for diners to gulp down their food.
Tatsuya appears to be popular with salaried workers in the vicinity, who comes, completes the meal, and goes in quick succession.
Tatsuya たつ屋 新宿店 牛丼餐廳
35-2, 3chome, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿３丁目３５−2
Tel: +81 3 3354 0611
Opening hours: 10:00am – 9:00pm (Mon – Fri, Sun), 8:00am – 9:00pm (Sat)
Google Maps – Tatsuya たつ屋
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