What is “Hobo Shinjuku Norengai”? A Complete Introduction to the Trendy Alley in Yoyogi with 20 Shops!

“Hobo Shinjuku Norengai” refers to a charming alley located just a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station and very close to Yoyogi Station, essentially positioned in “almost Shinjuku” (Although it is near Shinjuku, it is in Shibuya Ward, not Shinjuku Ward).

It has a catchy name that’s easy to remember and quite clever!

The “Hobo Shinjuku Norengai” area is a food and drink destination built by renovating eight traditional old houses.

In this article, we will thoroughly introduce all 20 establishments (as of June 2023) located in “Hobo Shinjuku Norengai.”

Whether you’re visiting with friends, a partner, or colleagues, enjoy delicious drinks and food in a nostalgic atmosphere.

Kominka Honkan

Gyutan Iroha Bettei (Gyutan Tavern)

A casual izakaya where beef tongue is the main dish.

A popular item on the menu, often ordered by many, is the “Signature Boiled Tongue”!

It’s a dish where the tongue is so tender it can be cut with chopsticks, making it incredibly delicious, and often covered by various media.

Other items, such as the “Beef Tongue with Garlic Ponzu,” flavored with fragrant garlic and tangy ponzu sauce, are perfect snacks to enjoy with drinks.

Tongue dishes go wonderfully with lemon sours.

If you’re a beef tongue fan, you should definitely check it out.

They also have take-out bento boxes, which are highly recommended.

Awadsutsumi Champagne Mania

This trendy bar specializes in “100 carefully selected champagnes and juicy dumplings.”

It’s a great spot for enjoying the surprising pairing of “champagne” and “dumplings.”

Many people are surprised to find that champagne and dumplings match quite well

If you think you might get bored just drinking with dumplings, don’t worry. At Awadsutumi Champagne Mania, they offer six different dipping sauces, providing a variety of flavor changes.

Here are the six sauces:

・Truffle-infused olive oil
・Bolivian rock salt
・Homemade yuzu sauce
・Homemade basil sauce
・Homemade sesame miso sauce
・Homemade chili oil

The truffle and basil sauces are selections that reflect the French chef’s background!

Of course, you can also enjoy French and other types of cuisine, along with a wide variety of champagnes. Even if you’re not a fan of dumplings, you can feel comfortable visiting.

Azzurro520

This restaurant serves “authentic Spanish Italian” cuisine, with a menu that changes based on the day’s fresh seafood.

Compared to other spots, the clientele tends to be a bit older, with customers ranging from their 20s to 60s.

What makes this place special is that they use fresh fish delivered directly from the market each day.

Some dishes include “Classic Taliata with Akagi Beef from Gunma” and “Octopus, Mushroom, and Potato Anchovy Ahi-jo,” all perfect for pairing with wine.

The atmosphere and service are praised, making it perfect for a calm dining experience for both men and women.

Additionally, the second floor features a disco ball that starts spinning when the lighting dims after 21:00, adding a fun entertainment element to the ambiance.

aroi kyodai

An Asian-style tavern that offers a street food atmosphere, serving Thai and Vietnamese cuisine.

Many of the dishes use sweet and spicy sauces, making beer irresistible.

You can also enjoy Pad Thai, Kapao, and other popular Asian dishes, along with the Thai-style grilled chicken known as Gai Yang.

The skin is crispy and fragrant, while the meat is tender and juicy, providing a rich flavor that spreads across your mouth!

In addition to fried and grilled options, there are also light and refreshing choices like the avocado and shrimp salad.

The atmosphere here feels authentically Asian, and the food is incredibly flavorful, making it feel like you’re traveling in Thailand or Vietnam.

The prices are also affordable, so you can casually enjoy delicious ethnic cuisine.

Shinkei

A stylish izakaya featuring yakitori and sake, with daruma figurines lining the eaves.

The recommended dishes are “Hakata Torikawa” and various “carefully selected Japanese sakes from Nagano.”

Hakata Torikawa is grilled over three days to remove excess fat and achieve a crispy texture, making it incredibly delicious and light enough to enjoy several skewers.

Also, the chopstick wrappers at this restaurant are “fortune slips,” adding a bit of entertainment to the dining experience.

Enjoy some excellent sake while indulging in yakitori like Hakata Torikawa.

kaiyaki sakaba caifornia

This is a place where you can enjoy various shellfish dishes, such as oysters, scallops, and sea urchin, cooked in the style of grilled shellfish.

The alcohol goes down smoothly while grilling the shellfish on the tabletop stove… It’s an experience that never gets old.

The restaurant’s recommendation is the signature “Gangan Yaki.” This dish is perfect for oyster lovers.

Of course, there is also a wide variety of fresh seafood dishes, apart from shellfish.]

The atmosphere inside the restaurant feels warm and inviting, resembling a “beach house” vibe. It is a little luxurious, making it a perfect place to enjoy a drink in Tokyo.

It’s a great spot to visit with coworkers or friends after work!

Motuyaki★Captain

This is a lively izakaya where you can enjoy various types of offal skewers. They have a variety of skewers, including liver, heart, tongue, diaphragm, and white fat.

A nice feature of this place is that you can order as little as one skewer, instead of the usual two.

The restaurant’s signature dish is “Curry Motsu Stew,” which combines bistro-style cuisine with offal—quite a unique dish.

Although offal skewers are often associated with older customers, this restaurant is popular with younger generations as well. It’s a great place to visit with friends or as a couple.

Also, the restaurant is family-friendly, so it’s a good option for those coming with children.

Ufuku Yoyogi Store

At this casual drinking spot, you can enjoy “Unagi Kushi” (grilled eel skewers).

The standout point is that you can enjoy high-quality eel skewers at around ¥300 each.

In addition to eel skewers, they also offer chicken and vegetable skewers, as well as izakaya-style dishes.

The interior of the restaurant is designed with a “Japanese” aesthetic, making it a great choice for a calm, adult couple’s night out.

Especially during the hot summer months, enjoying eel skewers with a cold beer can provide the perfect relaxing experience.

New Kitchen Iroha

A restaurant serving Italian cuisine with the concept of “snackable pizzas.”

The recommended dish is the “Tsumami Pizza,” which is cut into bite-sized pieces and perfect as a snack with drinks.

While a whole pizza might fill you up, this small cut allows you to enjoy a variety of pizzas.

Additionally, the Frozen Sangria is a popular and visually appealing drink at this restaurant, so be sure to try it once!

There seems to be a noticeable number of female customers here compared to other restaurants, making it a great spot for girls’ nights out or couples.

Karin

A dining bar focused on “gibier” (wild game) meat dishes.

The standout recommendation is lamb chops and lamb skewers, which are a must-try.

The restaurant’s signature dish is “Lamb Skewers,” which is a treat for lamb lovers

he alcohol selection is rich, with around 100 types of champagne, Scotch, and whiskey available.

Since the menu centers around gibier, the prices for food are a bit higher, but it’s a restaurant that’s known for its delicious dishes. It might be a good place to enjoy a drink casually.

Additionally, the restaurant has a fun and unique system called “Ogori Sake,” where customers ring a bell (the bell is part of the restaurant’s name), and invite others to join in a round of drinks.

This is one of the enjoyable ways to experience Hobo Shinjuku Noren-gai.

Sankaku

This is a popular tavern where you can enjoy traditional izakaya dishes centered around “kushiage (deep-fried skewers) and kushi-nikomi (skewered stewed dishes)”.

The batter for the kushiage is specially mixed according to each ingredient, allowing you to enjoy the natural flavors of the ingredients themselves.

Therefore, the recommended way to eat the kushiage here is without any sauce or additional seasoning – it’s the Sankaku style!

In addition, they serve horse meat and meat sashimi, which is irresistible for fans of raw meat.

Although kushiage is often thought of as a type of restaurant for men, this place has a stylish atmosphere with creative dishes, making it popular with women as well.

It’s a versatile restaurant perfect for girls’ nights out, casual dates, or a lively drinking session with friends.

Tokyo Edo Monja Kogeo

This is a specialist monja-yaki (savory pancake) restaurant that opened in May 2023.

The distinctive feature of this restaurant is that it offers not only standard monja-yaki but also a variety of unique monja dishes.

You can try rare and unusual options like “Beef Tendon Monja”, “Carbonara Monja”, and “Green Curry Monja” that you can’t find elsewhere.

Additionally, they offer reasonably priced monja courses starting at ¥2,000, making it a great place for a casual date or drinking party.

It’s also kid-friendly, and reservations are available, making it a family-friendly restaurant!

If you’re a fan of monja, be sure to try these one-of-a-kind varieties!

Nuts Records

This bar has a theme of being a place where you can sing along to records!

It offers all-you-can-eat nuts and all-you-can-drink options.

The interior features a Showa retro style, creating a nostalgic and emotional atmosphere inside.

However, the atmosphere is not quiet but rather lively, so it may not be suitable for those who want a quiet drink. But it’s perfect for those who want to enjoy drinks in a fun and energetic environment.

The staff are friendly and lively, so regulars find even more enjoyment here.

This is a great place to shake off any daily frustrations and have fun, so why not stop by and sing a song to let loose?

Souko Bekkan (warehouse annex)

Horse Meat Fuji no Uma

Famous for their horse meat dishes, this is a popular tavern serving a wide variety of horse meat dishes.

The new location is a new style of “Tavern Horse Meat Fujiyama” in Suidobashi, which is renowned for its popularity.

The distinctive feature of this place is the variety of horse meat dishes, including horse sashimi platters, horse meat steaks, and more.

One of the highlights is the special “Sakura Yukke” (Raw horse meat) and “Horse Meat Tataki”, which are must-try dishes for horse meat lovers.

Also, from Monday to Thursday, they offer a 9-course horse meat meal for only ¥2,500 (tax included), making it very affordable.

They also offer colorful drinks that are perfect for Instagram.

It’s a casual and welcoming place to drink, and reservations are available, making it ideal for casual gatherings or small celebrations.

This is definitely a great spot for those who want to indulge in horse meat.

New Star

A Chinese izakaya with a Showa-era atmosphere where you can drink from the afternoon.

The signboard features nostalgic Chinese dishes like fried rice and Chinese noodles.

The signature dish is “Sara Shumai (plate of shumai)”, but personally, I would recommend the Showa-style omelet rice which has a nostalgic visual appeal.

In this nostalgic atmosphere, you can enjoy the feeling of slipping back in time to those familiar old days.

By the way, all drinks here are served in “mega mugs”!

This is perfect for those who want to drink a lot.

Hongdaepocha

This is a popular Korean restaurant in Shin-Okubo, “Hongdaepocha”.

Their theme is “Instagram-worthy Korean cuisine,” offering various dishes.
You can enjoy authentic Korean food in a lively atmosphere with a circular table, a style often seen in Korean dramas!

You can enjoy authentic Korean food in the atmosphere like a street food stand.

For drinks, they serve Chamisul and Makgeolli, which pair well with the bold, spicy-sweet flavors common in Korean cuisine.

The prices are slightly higher, but the dishes are large, so the per-person cost is not too bad.

It’s better to go with friends and share the dishes!

This is a great spot for those who love Korea and Korean food.

Butaniku (pork) Yoshoku Kurabu Iroha

A bistro-style meat tavern famous for its spare ribs.

The “Japan’s Softest Braised Spare Ribs” is a must-try dish, slow-cooked to perfection and so tender that it falls apart with just chopsticks.

Additionally, the “Self-Serve Potato Salad,” where you extract the salad using a specialized machine, is another popular menu item.

Other items like “Mimiga (pig ear) with Mustard Ponzu,” and “Spicy Fried Potatoes” are perfect for pairing with alcohol.

For dessert, there’s a unique option called “Grilled Banana with Prosciutto,” ideal for those with a sweet tooth.

In terms of drinks, the selection of whiskey is a major draw.

There are 18 varieties of whiskey from around the world.

Of course, there are also wines and other beverages available, so those who don’t drink whiskey don’t need to worry.

Maguro to Tori Yoyogi Umidori

A modern tavern specializing in maguro (tuna) and tori (chicken) dishes.

Recommended is the “Signature! Tuna 7-Variety Plate,” a popular menu offering rare parts of tuna in one dish. (Includes Kamatoro, SeToro, Akami, Hachinomi, Cheek, Heart, Shirako)

Another great option is the “Tuna Liver with Scallions,” recommended for liver lovers.

The atmosphere is casual and lively, making it perfect for a night out with friends.

Whether you love fish or meat, this place will satisfy both cravings.

Sushi Atemaki Sushinjyuku

A unique sushi restaurant based on the concept of “a sushi bar where you can drink” and “sushi that is not served as nigiri, but as appetizers for alcohol.”

The author’s recommendation is the “Hanging Cucumber with Egg Sushi”!

You can enjoy this dish in different ways, either as a cucumber sushi or as a cucumber and egg combination, offering a satisfying volume.

This restaurant is also known for its entertainment value and Instagram-friendly presentations, making it a perfect spot for younger generations.

If you’re in the “Almost Shinjuku Norengai” area, this is definitely a place you should stop by!

Yakigakiya

An oyster bar with the concept of “Oysters and Wine.”

You can enjoy fresh oysters from all over Japan, paired with exquisite wines at reasonable prices.

The main highlight is the oysters, which come in various preparations such as “raw oysters,” “grilled oysters,” “fried oysters,” and “oyster kimchi.”

Oysters go perfectly with white wine, which is also delicious!

There are also terrace counter seats, making it perfect for couples.

For a little luxury in daily life, how about enjoying some oysters and wine at this oyster bar, open for day drinking?

Summary

Above, I’ve introduced all 20 establishments located in “Almost Shinjuku Norengai” (as of June 2023). Have you found your favorite spot?

These are all truly delicious restaurants, so be sure to enjoy them to the fullest!