Arabic Cafe & Deli Abu Essam — Restaurant in Tokyo

Abu Essam Arabic Cafe & Deli in Tokyo is a cozy spot that offers a taste of the Middle East in the heart of Japan. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with traditional decor that makes you feel like you’re stepping into a small corner of an Arabic city. It’s a great spot for anyone craving authentic Middle Eastern food, especially if you’re looking for something different from the usual Japanese cuisine.

The menu includes a variety of classic Arabic dishes like falafel, hummus, shawarma, and kebabs, as well as a range of fresh salads and dips. I was impressed by the flavor and authenticity of the food; the falafel was crispy and perfectly spiced, and the hummus was smooth and flavorful. They also have some vegetarian options, which was a nice plus.

One of the highlights of Abu Essam is the quality of their ingredients. You can tell they put effort into sourcing fresh and authentic products, which really enhances the taste. They also serve Arabic coffee and tea, which adds a nice touch to the whole experience. It’s a small cafe, so seating is limited, but the staff are friendly and attentive, and the...

We returned to Tokyo after 30 years away, two years ago. Back then, in the bubble time , great food & restaurants were everywhere. Not so much now & we have been searching & searching for good Arabic / Lebanese food. We need search no more. This little place - about 12 seats- has great food & the BEST falafels in Tokyo & trust me we have tried a lot of falafels. The service is simple , homely & very friendly. The kitchen is so tiny with just two young staff who were constantly smiling as they worked overseen by an elderly Master who calmly steered the ship. TOP marks to smiling staff member who moved on some seat warmers oh so gently even as she prepped food. We arrived at 2pm, it was full & stayed that way till closing time at 3pm, even so the food came in a timely manner. We had the Falafel plate for two & a Kofta sando , which we GREAT. So fresh. So we ordered lots of...

Popular 20~ seat restaurant offering great Middle Eastern food and fast service.

Update January 31, 2024: got takeout. Still excellent and busy. The falafel was a bit too salty for me. On the positive side they not now sell tasty baba ghanoush.

Visited for weekday lunch. The friendly two person staff was kept busy as customers slowly streamed in for takeout and eat-in dining.

My falafel plate was excellent with a nice crunch that wasn't tooth-shatteringly hard. I prefer more garlic and tahini in my hummus but this was still good. Pita bread was fresh and nicely springly.

Delicious "noba" coffee was brewed with milk instead of water and had cardamom and saffron mixed in. Baklava was rich and wasn't overly sweet.

The decor was a little cluttered but the air didn't smell of oil despite the frequent frying of falafel.

Recommended for anyone looking for Middle Eastern...