Nishi-Ogikubo: The piping hot and fluffy "Izakaya Pancakes" from "Shinkope" are a soothing treat on a cold night.

フワフワアツアツの「居酒屋ホットケーキ」税込み990円 — Fluffy and Piping Hot “Izakaya Pancakes” – 990 yen (tax included)

Located just a minute’s walk from the south exit of JR Nishi-Ogikubo Station, the creative izakaya (Japanese pub) “Osake to Gohan Shinkope” has gained rapid popularity after being featured on television.

The two-story standalone restaurant has counter seats on the first floor and table seating (up to 12 people) on the second floor. It’s clean and welcoming, even for women dining alone. On weekends, the place is often fully booked.

The specialty of the restaurant, “Izakaya Pancakes,” takes 20-30 minutes to bake at a low temperature after ordering, so timing your order is recommended. After a while, it arrives with potato chips and syrup.

As you cut into it, steam rises from the batter. The central butter smoothly sinks in and gently melts from the heat. Upon tasting, it’s hot and fluffy. The sweetness is pleasant and easy to enjoy. Adding syrup enhances the sweetness even more. I was curious about the accompanying potato chips, but alternating between the sweet pancakes and the salty chips refreshes the palate. Interesting.

The dessert menu also includes rich-tasting “Cream Cheese Pudding” (550 yen including tax) among others. Additionally, the variety of creative dishes and the house-made lemon sour are notable menu highlights.

The restaurant has a comfortable distance between the staff and customers, making it easy to use for a variety of purposes, from casual dining to parties. It’s better to make a reservation before visiting.

Osake to Gohan Shinkope
Address: 3-10-3 Nishiogi Minami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo
Hours:
Monday to Friday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Closed: Irregular
Phone: 050-5597-5086

*As of January 2024. Menu items and prices are subject to change.