A karaage izakaya went viral recently on social media service X. Its sign on the outside promised something that sounded too good to be true. And, it turns out, it was.
The post by user @ssolto reads, “Never coming again.” The post’s photos tell a story in three stages.
On the outside, the sign for the store, Hitosuji in Akasaka, says in large kanji that it offers “all-you-can-eat karaage” (唐揚げ食べ放題; karaage tabehoudai). It also says it allows smoking everywhere in the karaage bar – which isn’t much of a selling point. (Smoking in bars in Tokyo used to be common. It’s rare now due to laws passed before the Tokyo Olympics.)
The second photo doesn’t give anything away, either. “Have you really eaten delicious karaage before?” taunts a sign. “The karaage you’ve been asking for is here.”
The karaage bar doesn’t drop the hammer until you get into the store and pick up a menu. The all-you-can-eat menu is limited to six options for 1,100 yen each (USD $7.15). Which is a pretty good deal.
The kicker? The “all-you-can-eat” period lasts for a mere 30 minutes. Additionally, the last order is due five minutes before the timer runs out.
Both all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink restaurants are common around Japan. However, most will offer 90-minute or 2-hour time limits.
Many reviewers online say that Hitosuji is….pretty good, actually. (That makes it one of the better-rated all-you-can-eat karaage places on Tabelog.) The store carries a 3.39 rating on Tabelog (which is decent for that site) and a 3.8/5 on Google Maps. Reviewers praise the store for its large portions and juicy fried chicken.
On the other hand, multiple replies on Twitter said they’d never set foot in a karaage store that’s all-smoking. And the store’s food has its detractors. One negative review from six months ago lambasted the karaage as too large and greasy, and the batter too thick, for their tastes.
You can, of course, try it for yourself next time you’re in Tokyo. The store’s located in Minato City’s Akasaka at 3-Chome 20-9, in the Iwasaki Building.
Be sure to bring your appetite…and hold your breath.
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