Where to Dine - Tokyo - page 153

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mozzarella cheese, as well as a handful of main dishes, including grilled chicken or pork
with rosemary. Lunch gives a choice of pizza, pasta, or a main dish, such as fish, along
with a trip through the appetizer and salad bar. There's a large selection of Italian wines.
Y.M. Square, 4-31-10 Jingumae. & 03/5775-5333. Pizza and pasta ¥1,300-¥2,200; main dishes ¥1,400-
¥3,000; set lunch ¥1,680. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm and 5-11pm; Sat 11:30am-4pm and
5-11pm; Sun and holidays 11:30am-4pm and 5-10:30pm. Station: Harajuku (1 min.). On Meiji Dori, just
north of Gap and across from La Foret.
Wolfgang Puck Express AMERICAN This is the most casual and least expensive
of Puck's invasion of eateries in Japan. It concentrates on burgers, pizza, pasta, roast
chicken, salads, and other fast foods. What I like about this location is that it's right at
the top of Takeshita Dori (Harajuku's most popular shopping street) across from the sta-
tion, and it's more stylish than other fast-food competitors that shall remain nameless.
Fast service, pop music, and beer—what more could you ask for?
1-17-1 Jingumae. & 03/5786-4690. Main dishes ¥980-¥1,480; set lunches ¥650-¥1,780. AE, DC, MC, V.
Daily 11am-11pm. Station: Harajuku (1 min.). Across the street from Harajuku Station's north exit, at the
top of Takeshita Dori.
p Yai Yai OKONOMIYAKI Instead of having to cook your own okonomiyaki, all
you have to do here is order, whereupon the young staff sets to work cooking your meal
on a griddle in front of you. You choose your toppings—such as pork or scallops,
together with vegetables such as green onions or kimchi—which are then added to the
pancakelike base, cabbage, and egg. Fried noodles and udon, also cooked with a choice
of toppings, are also available.
6-8-7 Jingumae. & 03/3406-8181. Okonomiyaki or fried noodles ¥980-¥1,490. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri
5pm-3am; Sat noon-3am; Sun and holidays noon-11pm. Station: Meiji-Jingumae (3 min.) or Harajuku (7
min.). From the Meiji Dori/Omotesando intersection, walk on Omotesando toward Aoyama and take the
2nd right; it will be on the left.
Zip Zap AMERICAN I have no idea what its name means, but this trendy Harajuku
sidewalk eatery is known for its burgers, which some swear are the best in town. Using
100% wagyu beef, considered one of Japan's best, it serves burgers so large you'd need a
mouth operation just to fit it all in (I resorted to a knife and fork), but it also serves a
club sandwich, tuna melt, BLT, Cajun chicken, salads, and other options, including des-
serts made on-site. There's a nice terrace on the sidewalk, popular with people who—I
am not making this up—like to dine with their pooches.
6-9-11 Jingumae. & 03/3499-1150. www.zip-zap.jp. Main dishes ¥1,200-¥1,600; set lunches (Mon-Fri
only) ¥800-¥900. AE, DC, MC, V. Daily 11:30am-10pm (last order). Station: Meiji-Jingumae (3 min.) or
Harajuku (7 min.). From the Meiji Dori/Omotesando intersection, walk on Omotesando toward Aoyama
and take the 1st right; it will be on the left.

6

11 SHIBUYA

Serving as a major commuter nucleus, Shibuya caters primarily to students and young
office workers with its many fashion department stores and lively nightlife scene. In addi-
tion to the suggestions below, consider the fourth floor of Mark City, 1-12-5 Dogen-
zaka, across from Shibuya Station (and next to the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu), where
you'll find a dozen or so restaurants specializing in Japanese, Italian, and Chinese
food. Try q Mikura ( & 03/5459-4011 ), simply but elegantly decorated in gold,
for its Kyoto-style obento and kaiseki; set lunches cost ¥2,100 to ¥5,460, while dinners