TONKODO

A Warm and Tasty Touch of Kagoshima in Koenji
[published February 2019]

Koenji, with its numerous shotengai shopping streets, is home to a wide variety of eateries. But look around and you might find it challenging to satisfy your craving for shabu shabu or any hot pot food for that matter. Fortunately for shabu shabu lovers, a short walk south of the station in Koenji is home to Tonkodo, a restaurant offering the typical Koenji casual-night vibe and the very tasty kurobuta (black pig pork) from Kagoshima (the southern tip of Japan’s 4 main islands). Now with 6 years under its belt, Tonkodo is a popular hangout especially on weekends, when customers gather en masse to enjoy the shop’s 3,500 yen tabehodai (all-you-can-eat), fun Japanese tunes, and the beautiful massive painting of Mt. Sakurajima (Kagoshima’s answer to Mt. Fuji) on the wall next to the tatami-style seating. For those who prefer chicken instead of pork, Tonkodo’s menu also includes a bamboo serving of succulent tsukune (chicken meatball) which is more than enough reason to pay Tonkodo a visit. Mochi slices are also a great option. For your shabu-shabu 4 types of dipping sauces are available: sesame, ponzu (citrus taste), mushroom, and the standard recommended men-tsuyu (Japanese light soup stock).

After you have dipped kurobuta pork and more in the hot pot to your heart’s content, the shabu shabu experience is not complete without rice or noodles, and here you can choose from zosui (rice porridge with egg), champonmen (Nagasaki-style Chinese noodles), and kishimen (Nagoya-style flat udon noodles), which according to the owner is the best way to finish off the night’s meal. If you are able to stop by the shop in advance to make a reservation, you will get a 10% off discount! Tonkodo is located on the 2^nd floor above Zool vintage clothing. The entrance is around the side on the small street.

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