News from the Waseda Neighbourhood:
Mr. Yasuyuki Yamauchi, the owner of “Kitchen Miki”

Mr. Yasuyuki Yamauchi, the second-generation owner

Hamburger steak (Korean-style) — ordered about 80 times a day

Miki Lunch — available at any time

His father, the founder, named the restaurant "Miki" for his wife Kimie. Why did Kimie change into Miki? — He probably felt that "Miki" sounded better than "Kimi".

Kitchen Miki is across Ground Zaka Street from Building 22. It is a hamburger restaurant which has been there for 43 years. You will find its interior cozy on account of the wood grain and bricks. It's always full at lunchtime. Mr. Yamauchi says “We manage our restaurant for students.” Just as he says, there are many reasonable dishes for a student on the board hanging on the wall. His preferred hamburger steak is soft and juicy, because he selects the best ingredients, and it has been popular since the shop opened. There are six variations you can order with six choices, and they all come with rice and a cup of soup. Another popular dish, the “Miki lunch,” which is a combination meal featuring crispy fried chicken and pork plus curry and salad, is a good value for the price. Mr. Yamauchi says, “Students judge us strictly and if we don't provide good taste, quantity and reasonable prices, they leave us.” However, he owes some of his dishes to their ideas: “some international students gave me the idea of a Korean hamburger. I willingly accept customers' ideas.” Trying new items while maintaining a traditional taste must be one reason why so many students support him.

Mr. Yamauchi was born and brought up in Waseda, so he actively contributes to the community by being, for example, a regional volunteer firefighter. "When I participate in a camp for disaster drills with local children, students of Waseda University do everything and my role is to be as a bridge between the two." Being as a bridge brings strong relationship among people, leading to benefit for the community. "If there's any trouble, children can run to people they know. I think it must have a deterrent effect on crime."

Mr. Yamauchi believes that local activities contribute not only to the community but himself. "I'm doing things for Waseda so that people will stay and spend money here, rather than going to Shinjuku or Takadanobaba. But I sometime indulge myself and close the restaurant, so I do not get much profit from it." He is a reliable man, whether you are hungry or want to do something for Waseda.

[Open: 11:00-20:00 Closed: Sundays and national holidays]