Torigen Mitaka Coral

(⁴⁄₅ stars)
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Torigen is a chain restaurant featuring fresh poultry prepared in various traditional Japanese cooking styles. Think of it as a semi-​upscale «yakitori nomiya» (Japanese pub/​tavern/​bar featuring grilled chicken skewers).
This location is near the top floor of an office building directly south of JR Mitaka station. It is most easily accessed from the station — just continue walking straight ahead as you exit the station building and proceed across the elevated deck above the bus rotary.
Instead of hanging out here in the evenings like a typical salaryman (which I defninitely am not!), I usually hit this place at lunchtime for the following reasons:
* Very reasonalbly priced lunch sets
* Great access to/​from the train lines at Mitaka station
* Quiet, retro and traditional décor that gives you a feel of old Japan for the duration of your stay
* Really, really good value and quality across the menu selections
Other Highlights:
+ Menu: 4.5÷5 stars (good balance of regular standby items, plus a rotating mix of dishes featuring seasonal ingredients)
+ Ambiance: ⁴⁄₅ (the physical interior itself is like an ancient Japanese inn — lots of dark wood, pottery and artwork of ages gone past; a little bit touristy by Japanese standards, but authentically warm for tourists)
+ Service: 3.5÷5 (fairly standard — polite, quick, manual-​based predictability but courteous enough)
+ Value: ⁴⁄₅ (price performance here is pretty high — tasty dishes, good balance of dishes across the major food groups, typically careful and beautiful presentation)
A few more miscellaneous positives include: Choice of white or «genmai» in reduced, regular or large portions all for free (seconds also free); chilled barley tea in summer/​hot green tea in winter (either is available anytime upon asking; seconds/​thirds are free); separate smoking/​non-​smoking seating; cozy private booths for parties of four or less; counter-​side seating that wraps around the central grill.
Caveats: For some unknown reason, EVERY time I’ve visited they’ve had the same jazz song playing on the BGM — it’s rather amusing and amazing at the loop never seems to wear out or stop! The staff, for the most part, are courteous and attentive. It does take a gentle shout to get their attention sometimes if you don’t use the buzzer button on the wall (booths only).
All in all, this is my go-​to place for a solid Japanese meal at decent prices (healthy too) if I’m in the mood and area around lunchtime. Their specialty is «oyakodon» (chicken in a soft omelette over hot white rice), as well as one featuring an in-​house tartar sauce or slices of grilled chicken over rice — all are equally healthy and delicious.
The only other problem is during lunchtime, you just know these dishes would be perfect with a nice tall glass of ice-​cold beer, which they also have!
Even if you don’t read/​understand much Japanese, the menus are clearly laid out so you can point at the delicacy you desire — give it a try. Definitely worth it!