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Jun 30 2023 8 Comments

The endearing ordinariness of an old Tokyo restaurant

This old school Chinese restaurant is ordinary in every way. The signage, red countered interior, and the ageing couple diligently working away just like they have done for decades. None of it is unusual or especially memorable. And yet at the same time, there’s so much beauty to be found there, along with that simple pleasure of a simple, everyday experience.

The endearing ordinariness of an old Tokyo restaurant

The endearing ordinariness of an old Tokyo restaurant

The endearing ordinariness of an old Tokyo restaurant

The endearing ordinariness of an old Tokyo restaurant

The endearing ordinariness of an old Tokyo restaurant

The endearing ordinariness of an old Tokyo restaurant

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denise says

    6/30/2023 at 11:31 am

    Oh it looks just perfect! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/30/2023 at 9:25 pm

      Yeah, these places are hard to beat.

      Reply
  2. YTSL says

    6/30/2023 at 2:35 pm

    Another great find, Lee! Is it a ramen-ya or a place with a more extensive menu? In any case, you’re absolutely right: the ordinary can be endearing!

    (BTW, I’m YTSL too over on Twitter should you wish to connect there!)

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/30/2023 at 9:44 pm

      Thank you. I never tire of eating in places like this. Always so much to enjoy. This one has quite an extensive menu too. A real mix of meals and sets.

      Cheers, I’ll look you up, although I don’t use it much anymore apart from automated post tweets.

      Reply
  3. Richard says

    6/30/2023 at 3:04 pm

    There was a place like this near the Sangubashi station when I lived there. I used to stop by for dinner on my way home from my teaching job at least once a week. After a few weeks they recognized and greeted me warmly.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/30/2023 at 9:46 pm

      So nice to have one local like that. A real home from home by sounds of it. That can’t be beaten.

      Reply
  4. Damien says

    7/1/2023 at 8:26 am

    Love these old-school ‘vanilla’ eateries. Time to dust off my DVD of ‘Tampopo’ for another viewing…

    Reply
    • Lee says

      7/3/2023 at 7:41 am

      Ah yes, Tampopo. Need to watch that again myself. Been a very long time since I saw it.

      Reply

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