Kappo Ichika

Restaurant Details

For Ishikawa native and owner-chef Iwasaki Kenji, every evening tells a story.

His small kappo restaurant, sitting in a hilly residential area by Yoyogi-Uehara Station, is run under the philosophy of “serving the best food to customers.” His cooking style is glued to traditional Japanese formulae, but he is open to possibilities. It is this flexibility that allows him to create a narrative through the culinary voice he honed while training at a ryokan in Kaga, as well as top hotel restaurants in Yokohama and Tokyo.

At Kappo Ichika, Iwasaki writes a menu that dreamily merges familiarity and novelty. He emphasizes prudent preparation and the use of dashi, the versatile Japanese soup stock. Using seasonal fish and wild vegetables, he creates a dynamic progression of flavors. The rice is cooked in a traditional clay pot, and grilled or steamed dishes are delicately seasoned to coax out the flavors of the stock.

But then, there are sparks of originality that interrupt the conventional flow. One standout creation is the unique wagyu beef monaka. Iwasaki’s twist on this dish features a wafer bun filled with wagyu beef and shira-ae sesame paste. Meanwhile, drinks are served in Edo Kiriko glassware that Iwasaki made himself. The sake offerings include Kokuryu, known for its fruity and delicate aroma, and Tedorigawa, which highlights the umami of rice.

Many things make Kappo Ichika feel like home. The venue stays open until 1:30 am, welcoming late-night diners to settle into the counter seats. The smooth service from the team adds to the sense of ease. The small interior closes the connection between the customers and the chef.

While Iwasaki also manages a sister restaurant, Kappo Yuzuha, in Nakameguro, it is this concept that makes him stand as the master of the house.

Kappo Ichika Remarks

• Guests with dietary restrictions and/or food allergies should inform the restaurant beforehand. The restaurant might not be able to accommodate guests who make same-day requests.

• The restaurant reserves the right to refuse reservations to guests who have excessive dietary restrictions, particularly those of fish or vegetables.

• The course menu content listed below is an example, and is subject to change based on seasonal availability.

• The restaurant cannot always guarantee that it can provide guests with their preferred seating options after a reservation due to availability.

• The pictures provided are for illustrative purposes.

Kappo Ichika Business Days

Kappo Ichika Address

Royal Terrace 101, 1-32-5 Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0064

Kappo Ichika Access Info

• Kappo Ichika is a 1-minute walk from Yoyogi Uehara Station.

Kappo Ichika Phone Number

Kappo Ichika Cancellation Policy

Cancel your reservation at least 2 days before the dining start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.