A decent yakiniku spot that feels too cramped to enjoy
👋
Time of visit: February 2023
When the grill delivers more than the room
The food at Sumibi Yakiniku & Horumon Koei Shinjuku Honten 炭火焼肉・ホルモン焼幸永 本店 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, was quite good, with enough variety to keep the meal interesting throughout.
We ordered horse meat yukhoe, an assortment of kimchi, several types of organ meats, trotters, beef tongue, and wagyu slices. This was also where we first tried trotters, which we now love. Overall, the quality across dishes was solid and enjoyable.
A space that feels tighter than it should
The biggest issue here was the space. The restaurant felt extremely cramped, with long shared tables where we had to squeeze in between other customers. In winter, with thick coats, it became even more uncomfortable. The atmosphere felt crowded rather than lively, especially if you prefer some level of separation like partitions or private tables.
Service was efficient but not particularly warm or attentive. Prices were on the higher side, and considering the service and tight seating, the overall experience did not quite justify the cost despite the good food.
One practical advantage is that the restaurant uses two separate spaces across a parking lot, so there are more seats available and it is easier to get in even on busy winter nights. Still, despite that convenience, it is not somewhere we would actively choose to return.
English menu is available. Reservations are not required. Payment by credit card is available.
Sumibi Yakiniku & Horumon Koei Shinjuku Honten 炭火焼肉・ホルモン焼幸永 本店 – Review
Summary
A decent yakiniku spot that feels too cramped to enjoy 👋
The food at Koei Shinjuku Honten is solid, with a good variety of yakiniku cuts including organ meats and trotters that make the meal interesting. However, the extremely cramped seating and shared table setup make the experience uncomfortable, especially during busy winter nights. While it is relatively easy to get a seat due to its larger capacity, it is not a place we would choose to return to.
Details of the Restaurant
Sumibi Yakiniku & Horumon Koei Shinjuku Honten 炭火焼肉・ホルモン焼幸永 本店
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vPbxtwynbYtva8fW6
〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 2 Chome−4−11 新宿マンション 1F ア
🤔 Other places to try
For a better place in the area, I recommend Castle Rock キャッスルロック. For a better good place for this kind of food in Tokyo, I recommend Yugentei Shinjuku 游玄亭 新宿.
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