Eating out in Tokyo : Cheapest Lunch Restaurants in Tokio

Japanese restaurants in Tokyo | Nakau

Japanese company Nakau operates chain Japanese restaurants which are specializing in gyudon (bowl of rice topped with beef), oyako donburi (bowl of rice topped with chicken and eggs) and Japanese noodles.
These Japanese chain restaurants are not expensive and serve tasty food.
Japanese like to dine in Nakau, so I wanted to check this Japanese restaurant too.
There are a lot of Nakau restaurants around Japan, only in Tokyo there are 82.
I went to one of them.

Japanese restaurant Nakau- outlook

Entrance to Nakau is made from glass and aluminium, so very modern looking.

The most distinguished parts of entrance are signboards with restaurant logo.
It is word Nakau written in hiragana and kanji.
It is easy to recognize.

There are also menus displayed in front of the door which are opening automatically.

Japanese restaurant Nakau- how to order and pay

It is easy to order and pay in Nakau.
Even person who doesn’t speak Japanese can make it easily.
There are menus displayed in front of restaurant, with pictures and prices so before you enter, you can already make decision what would you like to eat.

And when you enter to restaurant, you can see from your left, close to the door, two ticket vending machines.

Each button of machine has picture of dish or set, together with written price.

Point is to prepare appropriate amount of coins or bill…

…and insert into machine slot, then press the button and ticket with change will appear.

When you collect your ticket, go to staff member and give him/her your ticket.
Your meal will be prepared in kitchen and served by restaurant staff.

Japanese restaurant in Tokyo | Nakau- interior and atmosphere

Interior of Nakau looks very pleasant.
It is modern and clean. Not too colourful but this is even better. Glass, aluminium, dark grey and green. I like this combination.

Kitchen area is separated from customer area, but customers sitting behind U shaped counter can see what is going on in the kitchen.

Except counter there are also 4 tables, for 4 people each from one side of customer area.
Nakau interior is well designed, has lots of light and space.
I went there in morning so restaurant was actually empty.

But I liked modern look and peaceful atmosphere of Nakau.

Japanese restaurant in Tokyo| Nakau- food and service

First thing we received in Nakau when we were waiting for our food was cup of green tea.

And it was for free. I like this a lot.
I wanted to try small portion of Hiyashi Tan Tan Udon . It is good alternative for those who are not so hungry.
In contrast, my friend wanted some solid breakfast, but because we came to restaurant too late, there was no chance for morning set anymore.
Morning set is a good bargain as it costs just 290 yen for portion of rice, raw egg, soup and side salad. Nice set and good price for sure. Morning set is served till 11 am.

But because it was too late, my hungry friend decided to order portion of Nami Gyudon and Tonjiru soup.
We were waiting. In front of us there were spices and soy sauce in small containers and in bigger container, free beni shoga- pink coloured pickled ginger.

Finally we got our food.
Hiyashi Tan Tan Udon was udon with minced beef meat and spicy chilli sauce and with chopped spring onions of the top.

It was delicious and spicy little dish, which I ate with extra portion of beni shoga.
Later I regretted I did not ordered normal portion of Tan Tan Udon.

Nami Gyudon contained thin pieces of pork meat fried with onion and placed on bed of cooked rice. My friend’s choice.

Tonjiru soup was white miso based soup with spring onions, mushrooms, white Japanese radish, carrots, soto imo and gobo. Rich vegetable soup, very healthy stuff.

I tried these two. Both dishes were tasty and full of flavour even if simple.
I do like such kind of food.

Japanese chain restaurant Nakau- comments

Nakau is my kind of fast food restaurant.
It is served fast, it is tasty and healthy food. Easy to order and easy to pay.
I like a lot Nakau clean environment and modern look.
It makes me feel confident that all food is prepared with care, because if staff care for cleanness, definitely must care for food quality as well.
Nakau is good alternative for McDonalds and surely healthier.
I do recommend this chain restaurant.

Japanese chain restaurant Nakau- additional information

• mini portion of Hiyashi Tan Tan Udon costs 250 yen, Nami Gyudon costs 390 yen and Tonjiru soup costs 180 yen
• normal portions are big enough, prices are very moderate
• smoking is prohibited
• it is place for short stay, just to eat- it is fast food restaurant after all
• single customers are welcomed same as couples and groups
• it is good place to eat for everybody
• dishes are served by restaurant staff
• green tea, spices, sou sauce and beni shoga are for free
• restaurant is open 24 hours
• as of 2009.05.10

Category:Japanese Restaurant

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