Stabler Shimokitazawa Meatsand — Restaurant in Tokyo

Tucked away in the effortlessly cool neighborhood of Shimokitazawa, Stabler Meat Stand offers one of the most interesting dining experiences I had in Tokyo. It’s not your traditional izakaya or sushi spot – it’s a place where meat takes center stage, but in a setting that feels more like a hip underground bar than a restaurant. The atmosphere is cozy and edgy, with low lighting, wooden interiors, and a soundtrack that sets the tone for an unpretentious but carefully curated experience.

The menu revolves around various cuts of grilled meats, served with bold seasonings and paired with craft drinks that go beyond the usual options. I tried the Wagyu beef skewers, which were incredibly juicy and grilled to perfection, and a side of their spicy potato salad, which was unexpectedly addictive. The quality of the meat was top-tier, and the preparation showcased both precision and character.

What stood out most, though, was the vibe. It felt like stumbling into a secret spot known mostly by locals, where the staff genuinely enjoys what they do. If you’re looking to explore Tokyo’s alternative food scene beyond ramen and sushi, this spot is a gem. Raw, flavorful, and memorable – definitely...

The restaurant seats around 10 people, with a 15-minute wait after ordering the JPY 1,800 Stabler Sandwich.

The sandwich presentation matches most photos but resembles a convenience store sandwich—meat on the visible side, bread on the non-visible side. It's wrapped in butcher paper and taped, making it difficult to open cleanly for eating.

The meat, while flavorful, consists of diced steak that is rough and chewy. This leads to pieces falling out rather than being cleanly separated with each bite, resulting in a messy eating experience of pieces falling out.

The bread is regular sliced bread, lightly toasted, but it dries out quickly and lacks balance with the meat as I was ripping it apart with my mouth take bites.

Overall, the sandwich may be novel, but it doesn't warrant repeated visits. A great sandwich allows all elements—bread, meat, condiments, and other fillings—to be enjoyed easily and cleanly in one bite. This sandwich fails to achieve...

Ive seen this restaurant on social media a lot and thought to give it a try…

I was pretty underwhelmed with the taste and quality. I think it’s just hyped because you can take a good picture of the meat and post it on Instagram. Seems like a tourist trap.

The bread is regular white bread with no flavor. Which is fine for this kind of sandwich to be honest.

The meat had some strange mustardy barbecue sauce that didn’t taste great, and had a really strange smell to it. It did not taste like real barbecue sauce at all. I would have preferred ketchup, or mayo or anything else.

The meat is average. Not tender or juicy. Just regular beef. Doesn’t seem like the slow cooked barbecue that I would have expected.

They gave me some small sides, pickles and potato salad. Not bad…

To conclude, I will probably never go here again, or recommend it to anyone.

Sorry, the sandwich just didn’t taste good. I could have made something...