• 2024.8.7
• food

Enjoy delicious gourmet food on your stroll along Kamata's Bourbon Road! From authentic cold noodles to luxurious French cuisine

Whenever I visit Kamata Station in Ota Ward, I am always curious about "Bourbon Road" (official name: Kamata Tokyu Ekimae Dori Kai).

When you take a quick peek inside, you'll notice a retro Showa-era atmosphere that must have been a result of the place having been loved for so long, and you'll be drawn in by its mysterious charm and want to step in... but how should I put it, you'll be a little hesitant!!

I couldn't shake the anxiety that "Am I, who only drinks alcohol occasionally, really allowed to go to such a deep drinking district?" and I was always just one step away from taking on the challenge.

However, rumors have it that Bourbon Road is not just about drinking! Of course, there are many regulars who enjoy a glass of bourbon, which is the origin of the name, but it is also attracting attention as a gourmet spot where you can eat delicious food.

This time, I decided to believe the rumors and try my hand at a food tour of the unexplored Bourbon Road. I will visit three unique stores that will reveal new charms of Bourbon Road!

A fascinating Showa retro drinking district! Kamata is proud of
"Bourbon Road"

Bourbon Road is a drinking district located just outside Kamata Station, which is on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line, Tokyu Ikegami Line, and Tamagawa Line. As soon as you step onto the street, you'll be instantly drawn into the unique atmosphere by the signs and lanterns lining the narrow alleys, and the appetizing aromas that waft through the air.

Bourbon Road is famous for its regulars chatting over a glass of bourbon, the origin of the street's name. Recently, there has also been an increase in unique restaurants offering inventive and creative cuisine and menus using carefully selected ingredients.

Some stores are open during the day, but the area seems to become lively in the evenings. Surprisingly, it's a popular spot with a wide range of people, including office workers, local regulars, and even groups of young women.

The delicious carbonara is a must-try! Italian bar
"The Transit Tokyo"

The Transit Tokyo stands out with its modern exterior in a street lined with retro signs.

This restaurant is where our food tour began. The benches and barrel tables, reminiscent of an Italian tavern, got me excited...!

Once you enter the store, you'll find a cozy space with everything from counter seats to table seats.

We were greeted by a lovely smiling owner.

"The Transit Tokyo has been open here on Bourbon Road for six years now, and we now have a lot of regulars. They're all nice people who enjoy drinking with each other."

"I was touched by the cheerful and charming atmosphere that made me want to ask for advice about anything! I'm sure this will lead to more regulars (laughs).

First, I ordered the restaurant's signature dish, "Transit's Rich Carbonara" (1,380 yen). The pasta was cooked to perfection and was drenched in a creamy sauce. With one bite, the rich flavor of cheese and the salty taste of bacon filled my mouth...!!

"Actually, this carbonara became popular at the restaurant in Shimokitazawa where I used to work, and was even featured on TV," said the owner. It even received the seal of approval from a famous chef.

Its reputation is certainly not for show. It has a rich yet exquisite flavor that doesn't feel heavy, and I couldn't help but exclaim, "It's delicious!"

After being captivated by the rich flavor of the carbonara, you'll want something refreshing to cleanse your palate, so I ordered the owner's recommended "Lemon Sour" (580 yen), made with homemade limoncello.

This is a limoncello made by soaking lemon peel in spiritus and adding homemade syrup and lemon juice. Mix it with soda to make a homemade lemon sour.

When you take a sip of this jewel-like golden lemon sour, the refreshing scent of lemon spreads in your mouth. Although it has a high alcohol content, it has a refreshing taste and matches perfectly with the lingering aftertaste of carbonara. You'll find yourself drinking more and more before you know it.

"We're open until late at night, so a lot of people come in to drink. It's hard because I'm running the place by myself, but I enjoy working there because we have so many wonderful customers."

The shop owner's words gave us a glimpse of the charm of the people who visit Bourbon Road.

The Transit Tokyo

Address: 7-70-1 Nishikamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 minutes on foot from Kamata Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line, Tokyu Ikegami Line, and Tamagawa Line
TEL: 03-6424-7728
https://www.instagram.com/the_transit_tokyo/

You can enjoy "real cold noodles" in Kamata
"Pyongyang Cold Noodles Shokudoen"

The next place we visited was Pyongyang Reimen Shokudoen, with its eye-catching retro sign. Upon entering the restaurant, the nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere brought back childhood memories.

"I'll treat you to the most delicious cold noodles in Tokyo!"

The lively owner of this restaurant greeted us with these words. He moved to Tokyo from Iwate after the Great East Japan Earthquake and opened a restaurant in Kamata, and has continued to make his special cold noodles here.

I immediately ordered the signature dish, the Pyongyang Cold Noodles Bibimbap Set (1,280 yen), and the food was brought to me shortly thereafter.

The clear soup, chewy noodles, and colorful ingredients such as boiled eggs and kimchi were beautifully presented. At first glance, I was sure, "This is...! This is definitely going to be delicious!!"

"Our cold noodles are made by kneading the flour after we receive an order. It takes time and effort, but fresh noodles have an exceptional taste," says the owner, and my expectations are raised!

I took a sip and it was completely different from any cold noodles I had ever had before! The slightly thick noodles were springy and satisfying. It was the texture that only fresh noodles could offer.

The soup that coats the noodles has a light yet rich flavor that is irresistible. The soup is made by simmering beef bones and beef for eight hours.

I could feel the careful work that went into making the most of the flavor of the ingredients without relying on synthetic seasonings. This may be the taste worthy of being called "real cold noodles"...!!

The bibimbap that comes with the set also has a mild flavor and goes perfectly with the cold noodles. The cold soup will soothe your mouth, which has been chilled by the cold soup, with the warm rice.

"Some people even travel by plane or bullet train to come and eat here from far away," the owner proudly told us. As he said, the restaurant was so popular that there was a line at lunchtime.

Pyongyang Cold Noodles Shokudoen

Address: 7-64-8 Nishikamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 minutes on foot from Kamata Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line, Tokyu Ikegami Line, and Tamagawa Line
TEL: 03-3734-8951
https://www.instagram.com/heijoureimenshokudouen/

William Morris wallpaper is so cute!
A hidden bistro known only to those in the know
"Little Bird and Strawberry"

The last place we visited was "Kotori to Ichigo" which we had seen on social media and were interested in. We were excited to hear that the chef there had honed his skills at a Michelin-starred restaurant!

As I walked along Bourbon Road, which has a Showa retro atmosphere, I came across a rather cute shop! The simple sign that read "Little Birds and Strawberries" and the strawberry-colored exterior caught my eye.

Once you step inside the store, you'll feel like you're in another world! Although it's a small space with only a counter, the atmosphere is surprisingly sophisticated.

The walls are covered in William Morris' "Strawberry Thief" wallpaper, which gives the store its name, creating a cute and luxurious feel. The elegant chandeliers that shine from the ceiling add to the glamor, making you feel special just by being in this space.

When I asked, "Why did you choose such a cute shop on Bourbon Road?" the chef smiled and told me a lovely story.

"After completing my training in France and returning to Japan, I happened to visit Kamata and fell in love with the atmosphere. I sensed the hidden charm of this town that many people might overlook. Since then, I have been showing off my skills here at Bourbon Road."

Among the chef's carefully selected dishes, we had the "Snow crab and scallop pie" (1,800 yen), "Quail farci" (6,000 yen), and "Homemade scones with delicious butter" (450 yen).

Looking at the shiny, shining food, I can't wait any longer... Let's eat before it gets cold!!

The first dish we had was "Snow crab and scallops wrapped in pie," served with lobster American sauce.

The moment I put it in my mouth, the delicious flavors of snow crab and scallops overflowed, making me think, "This can't be this delicious...isn't this just too luxurious?"

The Americana sauce that coats the crispy pie crust is infused with the rich lobster flavor, making it irresistible.

Next up was the Quail Farci. Farci means stuffed, and as the name suggests, the quail is stuffed with a variety of ingredients, including minced duck, foie gras, nuts, and dried fruit. It is served with a luxurious black truffle sauce.

When I put the knife in, the tightly packed ingredients appeared. It looked like a jewelry box.

The chewy quail meat releases more flavor the more you chew it, and when combined with the sweet and sour ingredients inside, it creates a complex and refined flavor. Wanting to take in all the deliciousness, I remained silent and concentrated until I'd finished it.

We also had scones with each dish. They were lightly sweet and had a crispy texture, which surprisingly made them the perfect accompaniment to a meal.

The rich flavor of the butter is delicious on its own, but then I had a little idea.

"Maybe this is a bit bad manners!" I thought to myself, but I tried dipping the scone in some of the sauce left on the other plates and eating it...
This was even more delicious than I expected!

The sweetness of the scones and the saltiness of the sauce combine to fill your mouth with deliciousness. It's just too good!!!

This restaurant offers a variety of carefully prepared dishes, and the menu changes with the seasons depending on the ingredients available at the market.

Whenever new ingredients appear on the market, the chef immediately incorporates them into the menu, wanting his customers to enjoy seasonal flavors.

It was such a wonderful restaurant, a hidden gem of a bistro that I wanted to brag about to everyone, but didn't want to tell anyone about it!

Little bird and strawberry

Address: 7-64-6 Nishikamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 minutes on foot from Kamata Station on the JR Keihin Tohoku Line, Tokyu Ikegami Line, and Tamagawa Line
TEL: 03-6672-6103
https://www.instagram.com/cotori_to_ichigo/

Enjoying delicious food on Bourbon Road brings you closer to the city

At first, I was a little nervous about my food tour of Bourbon Road, but my fears turned out to be unfounded, and I was able to discover new charms of this city through the delicious food.

In this retro town, we found highly creative cuisine, careful work, and above all, the warmth of the people. There was a mysterious familiarity that made it feel like home after just one visit, so much so that we declared to the restaurants we visited, "We'll definitely come again!"

Bourbon Road is full of diverse charm and overturns the image of it as just a drinking district. It is a special place with many different faces, from restaurants where you can enjoy authentic cuisine, to famous places that have been loved for many years, and trendy places that are bringing a breath of fresh air.

If you've always been curious about Bourbon Road but have never been inside, be sure to muster up some courage and take a step inside.

You're sure to find your favorite place! Why not go and explore the deep gourmet world of Bourbon Road?

Every August, Bourbon Road hosts a unique festival called the Draft Beer Festival, where the first 8 people to arrive can drink draft beer for free. If you're a fan of alcohol, this is a great place to start.

Writer of this article: Table of Contents Hotaru

profile:
I am a beginner traveler with no experience of traveling overseas. Through this interview, I learned about the appeal of traveling, and in order to enjoy traveling domestically, I am currently researching attractive spots, from local areas to prefectures I have never been to.

I love Japanese culture, including kimonos and the tea ceremony, and my hobby is visiting historic towns. Therefore, on my days off, I enjoy walking around the old town with my camera and visiting art galleries and museums.

Currently, I am working as a freelance writer in Tokyo, mainly writing articles and interviews. My favorite station in Ota Ward is Ikegami Station on the Tokyu Ikegami Line.

Supervision: Satomi Matsumoto/Jun Miyoshi