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You can't graduate without trying this classic Waseda cuisine!
"Kitchen Otoboke"

[Interview, writing, and photography]
Waseda Weekly Reporter (SJC Student Staff)
Chikara Wada, 2nd year student, School of Political Science and Economics

Just a one-minute walk from Waseda Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, you'll find "Kitchen Otoboke," a restaurant easily recognizable to any Waseda student by its distinctive orange sign. Since its founding in 1973, this restaurant has witnessed countless students coming and going, and continues to satisfy the stomachs and hearts of students with the same taste and generous portions it has offered for 53 years.

The restaurant's name, "Otoboke," was apparently chosen by the first manager from a popular TV program at the time of its founding. In December 2025, the second manager retired, and Aung, originally from Myanmar and now in his 26th year at the restaurant, took over as manager. With the desire to "let students eat their fill and leave with a full stomach," the restaurant has been serving generous portions of food at budget-friendly prices for many years.

The distinctive orange color will become even more vibrant after the renovation in 2025.

There are 28 seats. You purchase a meal ticket first to place your order, and then pick up your food when a staff member calls.

The restaurant's interior, featuring impressive wood-based tables, offers 16 counter seats as well as tables for two and four people, making it a great place to stop by with friends after classes or student club activities, not just for solo visits. From the counter seats by the window, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Waseda Street.

This time, I tried the "Janjan-yaki Set Meal" (grilled skewers set meal) and "Pork Cutlet Curry," both of which are popular among students and are signature dishes.

The first thing I ordered was the "Janjan-yaki Set Meal." The name "Janjan-yaki" comes from the fact that it uses a soy sauce-based sauce, so they lined up the characters for "jang" (醤) to make it "Janjan-yaki." When I received it at the counter, the first thing that surprised me was the volume. The pork, which had been marinated in the sauce for a long time, was glistening with oil and piled high on top of shredded cabbage. It also came with a large bowl of white rice, miso soup, and pickles.

"Janjan-yaki Set Meal" 900 yen

Hesitantly, I reached for the glistening brown meat with my chopsticks, and nervously brought it to my mouth. I savored the tender texture and sweet and savory soy sauce-based seasoning. Just one bite and I was hooked on Janjan-yaki, and before I knew it, I was frantically shoveling down white rice. The most remarkable thing about Janjan-yaki is its unique seasoning. This dish, similar to ginger pork, uses ginger, garlic, and a hint of chili pepper as a secret ingredient. The slight spiciness after tasting the delicious sauce creates an addictive flavor that you absolutely cannot find anywhere else.

A spectacular sight: piles of pork soaked in sauce.

Next up was the "Pork Cutlet Curry." The sight of the curry filling half of the large plate, the other half piled high with white rice, and a huge pork cutlet larger than the palm of your hand sitting atop it was simply captivating. It also came with miso soup and pickled vegetables.

"Pork Cutlet Curry" 900 yen

Although I felt guilty about disturbing its beautiful presentation, when I scooped up some curry and put it in my mouth, the sweet and gentle flavor filled my mouth, and I was enveloped in a feeling of happiness. The cutlet wasn't particularly thick, but the meat, coated in a crispy batter, was springy, and the more I chewed, the more the delicious flavor of the meat overflowed. Of course, the cutlet and curry rice are a perfect match! This katsu curry is not a thick cutlet that would look good on social media, nor is it a complex, spicy curry, but a home-style, orthodox dish that brings a moment of peace and satisfaction amidst the hectic student life.

The author, whose meal is perfectly balanced by the miso soup, eats with gratitude for being born in a country where one can enjoy curry and miso soup at the same time.

With Aung's wish that students be able to fill their stomachs at an affordable price, the restaurant offers a variety of hearty and delicious dishes, including the "Stir-fried Meat and Eggplant Set Meal" (900 yen) and the "Mixed Fried Food Set Meal" (950 yen), all for under 1000 yen, making it a place you'll want to visit again and again. New students who have just enrolled, and Waseda University students who have never been there before, should definitely come and check it out!

The ticket machine is located to the left of the entrance. In addition to cash, it also accepts transportation IC cards and QR code payments.

Store Information
[Restaurant Name] Kitchen Otoboke
[Address] Musashino Building 1F, 62 Babashitamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
[Opening Hours] Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Last order 8:30 PM), Public Holidays: 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM (Last order 3:00 PM)
[Closed] Sundays

* All prices mentioned in this article are inclusive of tax.

A message from the shop owner, Aung, to Waseda University students

"Please come and eat anytime! I look forward to seeing you!"