Horumonyaki Koei Honten

Thanks to its association with luxury, wagyu beef may be the first thing most people make a beeline for when they eat yakiniku, but true yakiniku fans know that horumon — beef offal — is the way to go. The very existence of the horumonyaki restaurant, a restaurant specializing entirely in grilled offal, is proof of its popularity among Japanese people. And among horumonyaki restaurants, Koei is possibly one of the most famous, having several outlets spread across Tokyo. Unique about Koei’s Honten main store is the almost equal proportion of foreigners and Japanese people, due in part to its presence in Shinjuku’s Kabukicho district, where many expatriates and tourists pass through on their way to the Golden Gai. Regardless, all are drawn in by the noisy chatter and laughter emanating from within, the inviting warmth of the lanterns lined up above the restaurant’s entrance, and of course — the irresistible, mouth-watering smell of beef organs slowly charring on the grills scattered throughout the restaurant. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that the menu at Koei is astoundingly cheap. The basic course menu starts at under ¥1,500 for a 5-item spread. Even with a drink or two, it’s a good way to enjoy a good grilling session with friends or loved ones.