Asakusa Paichi: Western-Style Japanese Food

Hello, this is the staff of The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon. This time we would like to introduce Asakusa Paichi, a Western-style restaurant that is very popular among the hotel staff.

Preserving the taste of its predecessors

Paichi was established in the early Showa period (early 20th century) as an ippai (one-drink) bar. The name of the restaurant came from a customer who switched up the kanji and said paichi. Later, in 1936, the restaurant became a Western-style restaurant, and the current owner is the third generation of owners. Currently, the owner stands alone in the kitchen while his mother, aunt, and wife support the restaurant.

When asked, what he is passionate about, he replied strongly, that he wants to continue the tradition of the restaurant. They continue to cherish the flavors that have been loved by the people of Asakusa since the old days.

The dark blue curtain and tapestry mark the Japanese-style exterior.

Inside Paichi is overflowing with love for festivals and Asakusa

For Asakusa locals, the Sanja Festival held every May is the most exciting time of the year. Paichi is run by a festival-loving owner, and items related to the Sanja Matsuri are displayed everywhere. I love festivals myself, so when I visited the store, we ended up talking about festivals.

There are items related to the Sanja Festival everywhere in the store.

There is even a miniature Sanja mikoshi created by a real mikoshi specialist.

Inside the restaurant, there are counter seats and table seats with an up-close view of the kitchen. Dining at the counter seats with a view of the kitchen is also enjoyable!

Their specialty is beef stew served in an iron pot.

Paichi is famous for its beef stew served in a hot iron pot! The beef stew is a smooth stew with tender meat and vegetables with just the right amount of crunch. It has a rather Japanese flavor and goes well with white rice. Since it is hot, it is served a little at a time. The tan stew has the same base, but the texture is a little different from that of beef. When you visit Paichi, you should definitely try this dish first!

The beef stew, served in a hot iron pot, is priced at 2,310 yen for a single dish, and because it is hot, it is served hanging from a special metal bracket.

It is served hot, so it is served hanging from a special metal fixture. It is filled with large pieces of tender beef stewed to a tender hollowness and vegetables with just the right amount of crunch.

We also recommend the fried food menu that only a Western-style restaurant can offer.

The fried food menu also has many deep-rooted fans. At lunchtime, you can enjoy Paichi’s popular fried food menu in a special set meal.

The photo shows a set of the restaurant’s signature fried menchi katsu (deep-fried minced meat) and fried shrimp. The menchi katsu, made a little smaller for the set meal, is topped with demi-glace sauce, and the fried prawns, made with thick prawns, are served with the restaurant’s special tartar sauce. The nostalgic ketchup-flavored spaghetti also plays an indispensable supporting role in a Western-style set meal.

Menchi katsu & Fried Shrimp Set Meal 1,320.

Loin cutlet, crab croquette, and seasonal fried oysters are all undoubtedly delicious.

Access to Paichi

The restaurant is located in a narrow alley off Kaminarimon Dori where the hotel is located, about a 5-minute walk. It may be difficult to find, but if so, please ask the hotel staff for the location. All the staff will surely tell you where it is, saying, “I recommend it!” while guiding you to it!

It is also a 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, passing through Kaminarimon.