Asakusa Monja Zenya — Restaurant in Tokyo

Be warned: many of these reviews may not be organic or genuine reviews. The person who cashed us out (Kosuke) refused to give us our change until we left a review of this restaurant. I said I would leave it later and he refused it as an answer so my husband was in a good mood after his meal and just left a 5-star so we can get our change and leave. He was watching us the entire time, and ask that we include his name. I’m sure many customers feel pressured to leave a 5-star review under these circumstances. We've never experienced this at any other restaurant before—it must be pressure from the owners to incentivize their employees that way. For owners: it’s weird to ask for reviews but even if so, don’t make it mandatory on the spot and allow customers to leave if they don’t want to.

We were initially drawn to this restaurant because of the long queue of mostly locals outside and the high ratings.

Now, about the food: I'm glad we got to try Monjayaki—it was something totally unique and our first time having it. We’ve had plenty of okonomiyaki before, but not this version. They cook everything individually on your table, which was a fun and unique experience. However, because the monjayaki doesn’t solidify and stays gooey and mushy, I don’t think it appeals to many Western palates. Personally, I preferred okonomiyaki with noodles, which you can also order here.

Keep in mind that there’s a 2-hour seating limit, which can feel tight for a table of four if everyone orders monjayaki, as it must be cooked one at a time. You have to finish one before starting the next, and sometimes the staff is busy, causing delays. To save time, I recommend ordering some orders that can be prepared in the kitchen, like the okonomiyaki, so it comes...

Just dined here for lunch today (July 1, 2024). We ordered a combination and a red bean mochi okonomiyaki. The combination okonomiyaki was ok, but the red bean one was super greasy. Ok so that’s about the food. Now where do I start about the service? The host was very nice and we were seated within 10 minutes but then that was it. We waited for 15 minutes and no one came to take the order nor gave us water to the table. We finally grabbed someone to take the order, but waited another 20 minutes before someone came to the table and cooked for us. We then finished the savory yaki, waited ANOTHER 20 minutes before some came to clean the grill and started cooking the sweet one. And the red bean mochi okonomiyaki wasn’t event served right because another server took away the brown sugar sauce when our server was cooking but she never brought it back. During ALL the waiting we observed other Japanese speaking customers, and their water was brought within 2 minutes after seated, and their food was cooked and served within 5-10 minutes. I do not want to make assumptions of this event was because something about race. I said that because we placed the order using the Chinese menu and all their servers came to our table and we spoke English to them. Overall this was not a pleasant experience after being treated this way, and I certainly hope others don’t have to experience what we...

For foreigners seeking a delightful dining experience in Tokyo, Zen'ya restaurant is a must-visit. The food is of exceptional quality, and the staff provides outstanding service. Even if you don't speak Japanese, they make a sincere effort to assist you. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The cuisine at Zen'ya primarily features cabbage as its base ingredient, so individuals who are not fond of cabbage might face difficulty. Additionally, as the cooking is predominantly oil-based, those with dietary restrictions related to oil may encounter challenges. Assuming you have no egg allergies and appreciate fantastic cuisine, it is recommended to avoid peak times to minimize waiting periods, which can range from 45 to 60 minutes or potentially more, depending on the restaurant's busyness. Each dish at Zen'ya is typically designed for a specific number of individuals, with some ideal for one person and others suitable for two. None of the dishes are intended to serve more than three or four people. In conclusion, if you wish to sample delicious Japanese food and have an exceptional dining experience, Zen'ya is the place to be. It may not cater to overly sensitive food critics who scrutinize every detail, but if you're seeking a good time, cultural immersion, and a wide variety of dishes, Zen'ya is the...