Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima

Located just a short distance from Shinjuku Station, Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima is a renowned kappo restaurant where Sadaharu Nakajima showcases his skills. Nakajima Teijiro, Sadaharu's grandfather, served as the first head chef at Hoshioka Saryo, founded by the celebrated gourmet Rosanjin Kitaoji, and opened the kappo restaurant Nakajima in Ginza in 1931. Later, his father Teizo became independent from the family business in 1962, leading to the birth of today's Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima.

While cherishing the traditions of Japanese cuisine, Mr. Nakajima's distinctive creativity shines through in both the ingredients and presentation. At dinner, only omakase courses are served, featuring dishes such as appetizers, soup, and grilled items made with seasonal ingredients. Beyond the flavors, the carefully chosen tableware and beautifully composed plating, down to the empty space on the plate, are also part of the experience.

If kappo feels a little intimidating, lunch is a great place to start. The menu is limited to sardine set meals, but you can choose from sashimi, fried sardines, simmered sardines, or a yanagawa hot pot. You can enjoy authentic kappo flavors for prices in the 1,000-yen range, so lines are almost guaranteed. It's best to visit with extra time to spare.