Spaghetti no Pancho — Restaurant in Tokyo

I tend to not frequent pasta places because I often find that the price does not match either the quality or the quantity. However, that was not the case with Spaghetti no Pancho (Ikebukuro).

The place is quite unassuming and it does not help that it is located away from the main bustle that leads up to Sunshine City. Something very important to know is that this place is quite small. There are counter seats, and two tables that sit two people each. So if you are with a group of three or more, it'll be quite difficult to have everyone seated together, especially during their busy hours.

When you come up to the restaurant, you will immediately see menus outside with a ticket machine for ordering BEFORE you step in. Please keep in mind that the machine only accepts cash payments and no large bills. I went with the Uma Kara Napo (旨辛ナポ), a semi spicy and sweet pasta. You are also able to customize your pasta through a variety of toppings, from scorched cheese to Hamburg steak which can be found as extra options on the ticket machine. I decided to go with no extra toppings, but instead got 大盛り (large size). My first surprise was seeing that for the same prize as the large size, you had the option to opt for the mega size portion. One cannot say no to that, so mega option it was.

To be fair, I had very low expectations, but even so, I found the pasta to be tasty enough that I would definitely go back again. True to its name, the mega portion was quite plentiful and the spiciness not only had a decent kick, but it also helped to enrich the flavors of the dish. Simply put, it was a really good plate of pasta. At the tables, they have cheese, tabasco sauce, and ラー油(Chinese chili oil). You can also ask the staff for mayonnaise or Lemosco, if you so wish.

If you need to grab a quick bite, are in the mood for pasta, and want a no frills dining experience, I recommend...

The establishment is small with counter seats and only 2 tables, it could be difficult if you come in a big group of people. You order the food first through the machine, just like the usual ramen shop experience.

For any size bigger than normal, you will pay the same price. Very economical especially if you are very hungry or a big eater and could go for the mega size. They recommend getting additional toppings such as sunny side up eggs and bacon for an extra fee.

You can add shredded cheese, peppers, and Tabasco sauce all to your liking for free on the table.

I ordered Naporitan spaghetti, which is their specialty and also a pasta dish uniquely originated from Japan. I recommend trying this menu as it is first. The spaghetti is thick and fulfilling, a big portion is more than enough to fill your belly. The tomato ketchup used is sweet and refreshing without feeling heavy at all.

Overall, I recommend this place to get the experience of a pasta dish uniquely...

Lovable japnese pasta joint. Don’t expect some incredibly authentic italian pasta. Expect lovingly crafted fast-casual pasta upon a backdrop of 2000s japanese pop music. I ordered the spicy Neapolitan pasta. It has a sweetness that I used to skirt away from but now find...