For a long time, I avoided going to Denny’s Japan.  I make it a rule when I’m on travel for work to never go to chain restaurants.  The only time I’ll falter is when that particular restaurant isn’t available to me (hello, Mellow Mushroom).  The more and more I saw “limited time” crazy offers at McDonald’s and Burger King (I really should have a whole series on just the limited time offers), the more I considered trying Denny’s out.

I remember fondly (ha!) growing up and walking out of Denny’s while on vacation. Late–night trips with friends for pancakes and coffee as well.  The service was always horrible. So it was with glee that I forced my family to go with me for breakfast while they were visiting.  They didn’t believe me.  Perfect opportunity for early in their trip that, no really, Japan’s customer service is impeccable.

[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in November of 2016 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.]

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What are the differences and similarities of Denny’s in Japan?

Denny’s Japan are what you would consider “family restaurants”. There are many different chains that fall under this category that I will delve into in a future article. They are obviously a different atmosphere than an izakaya (Japanese bar) but most still have happy hour deals which are very reasonable!

One of the differences about Denny’s Japan versus the original in America, is that they have … Japanese food (和食, washoku)! But they also have a bunch of western style dishes (洋食, Youshoku).

The dessert menu is similar but different. Parfait is my favorite at family restaurants, but this is much different than sundaes in America. Lots of them have corn flakes in them – do not knock it till you try it! I have friends that won’t even give it a chance but the crunchy and creamy at the same time is amazing!

The prices are all quite reasonable and you can go in just for a coffee – one of the few places you’ll see refills in Japan – and relax. Some locations have “drink bars” where you can choose all different types of drinks. There is free Wi-Fi as well if you are looking for a Wi-Fi connection.

While many restaurants and stores in Japan don’t take credit cards, Denny’s is one place that does take credit cards.

Fun fact: Denny’s Japan (デニーズ レストラン) is actually owned by Seven and I holdings, yes, the same that own the convenience stores.

Many of the 500+ Denny’s Japan locations are open 24 hours a day, I may or may not have seen people passed out in their booths waiting for the first train…

Like most places in Japan, the employees wear matching uniforms, and because it’s Japan, you can buy cosplay versions of them! Not the same as I’ve seen them wearing, but I thought it was funny.

Denny’s Japan: The Service

First, service in Japan is wonderful.  A twist to American service in many family restaurants (like Denny’s Japan) and izakaya (Japanese bar) is that they have a doorbell (there’s no other way to describe it) at every table that lights up your table number for the staff to see and they come running right away.  If for whatever reason that doesn’t work, there’s always the “sumimasen!” option.

There you go, Dad, service in Denny’s! There is always someone from the wait staff wandering the floor with a carafe of coffee.  You never have to ask for the check because as soon as they bring your food, they put your bill in a small plastic container at the end of your table.  

Want to order more? No problem! They’ll just bring you another receipt.

What’s that next to the creamer and sugar?  Door Bell!! Or as we call it in Japan, “the ping pong button” based on the noise it makes. Instant service.

Dennys Japan Menu

Fear not, Traveller! Dennys Japan has translated menu’s into English but they are full of pictures if they don’t bring you one.  Since much of the food is American inspired, if you know some basic katakana (one of Japan’s syllabaries for foreign words), you’ll do just fine!

While the portion size is smaller in Japan, there is also calorie information if you are concerned about that. Have allergies? Denny’s Japan also has this information available to you.

The breakfast menu at Denny’s Japan is used from 6 am until 11 am, the lunch menu is from 11 am to 3 pm, and the dessert menu and “Grand Menu” are always available. Watch out for special seasonal menus as well.

There are always special menus for either seasonal items (yup, there are “limited items” everywhere) as well as yummy dessert parfait menus.

The menu is giant so you will have no shortage of different foods to try.

Denny’s Japan Food

OK, I’ll be honest, I’ve only gone for breakfast – though I’ve been to many of the other family restaurants for dinners and happy hours.  Japan’s breakfasts are very different from America’s and sometimes you just really want some eggs and bacon.  Much harder to find in your local cafes (though visiting a 喫茶店 Kissaten is a MUST for your experience in Japan).  While there are no “grand slams” available, there are still “American Breakfasts” with just a few changes.  

They just about always come with salad for one. The pancakes tend to be a lot sweeter than American style (which cracks me up because most Japanese sweets aren’t nearly as sweet).  The meals are customization options: pancakes/toast, coffee or lattes.  

Coffee is actually refillable (unless there is a “drink bar”, usually you don’t get free refills in Japan).  

Bacon here is more like Canadian Bacon then the crispy bacon you can get in America but you get used to it.  

They also have a typical Japanese breakfast as an option (fish, miso soup, pickles, and rice normally) if you want to check out the local fair which is also very tasty.

How about you? Would you try Denny’s Japan?

One Drop Cafe prides itself on having fresh locally sourced vegetables. One of my favorite downtown restaurants, it is a great option if you are looking for vegetarian in Yokosuka. 

One Drop Cafe itself is super cute with light and dark accents, small tables and some bar seats by the open kitchen. Recent top hits play in the background but the real reason I love it though?  The vegetables. They source everything from local farms and have a cornucopia of beautiful eats fresh every day. To top it off, they are all pesticide and chemical fertilizer free! 

Before you ask, I was very briefly a vegetarian and then a pescatarian for a few years but now don’t have any restrictions on my pallet. I’m a huge fan of vegetables though and sometimes it’s definitely hard to find good dishes available, yes, even here in Japan. When I do, I take note!

Looking to make your own Japanese vegetarian meal? Bentoya Cooking has classes in Tokyo and Yokohama to teach you some great Japanese recipes using all vegetarian ingredients and even some vegan sweets options as well!

What’s for lunch?

I will speak of lunch because that is when I like to go. The crème de la crème is the One Drop Veggie Plate. Perhaps my absolute favorite lunch in the world, and if you’ve been around Kristen Abroad for long, you know I love Mexican food. So this is a big deal!

Lunch will run you about 1,200 to 1,700 円 (about $12 to 17 USD) and includes a drink.  Their ice tea is delicious.  If you would like a non-vegetarian option, there’s plenty of those as well.  Taco rice, vegetable or meat Japanese curry, beef bowl, and both a chicken and pork option. Feeling particularly hungry? They have a larger bowl of curry available.

All of the dishes take advantage of the veggies but the ワンドロップベジプレート (one drop veggie plate) gives you the gambit.  It’s always revolving on what they have available on the day but the basic set up for this set meal is brown rice, miso soup with various vegetables, salad with homemade dressing, a few fried options, and then the 9 compartment plate full of bit-size morsels.  If you are vegetarian, this is your plate.  If you aren’t, get it anyway because it is amazing.

For this meal, you also start with a small shot of homemade smoothie which they normally will tell you what it consists of. Again it will be highlighting the seasonal fruit and vegetables available to them!

Lunch, Tea, or Dinner at One Drop Cafe?

One Drop is open for lunch (ランチ), an afternoon café (カフェ) menu (think tea time, cakes and parfait パフェ) and dinner (ダイナー) in the evenings. There’s a brief pause in between each that they are closed that are listed on their Facebook page.

Like everyone else, they are impacted by COVID-19, and is a perfect time to get some takeout! Honestly, for the novelty of takeout being an option, I always feel it is a bit rare in Japan.

One Drop Cafe : How to get here

One Drop Cafe is just around the corner from the Mercure Hotel on Dobuita Shopping Street (どぶ板通り or “the Honch” if you know it as an American), the closest train station is Shioiri on the Keikyu Line.

After lunch (or whenever you choose to go), take a stroll down Dobuita Street for some fun cultural aspects. It has a completely different feel between day and night. You can even use American dollars in many of the shops!

Where’s your favorite vegetable eateries?  Leave me a note in the comments!

Visiting Nara and need a suggestion for where to eat?  A stone’s throw from Kintetsu Nara Station in 東向北商店街 (Higashimukita shopping district), Sakura Burger is a great place either pre- or post- deer feeding (just wash your hands, you animal!) or Temple viewing (be honest, you went for the deer).

Beware though, we happened to stumble upon it right as they opened (11 am for lunch), the queue starts early!  By the time we left, it was wrapped around with at least 20 people. 

Burgers aren’t the most adventurous option when there are so many Japanese foods to try, but Sakura Burger is popular for a reason!

Sakura Burger Menu

The menu starts with the Sakura Burger choices which means they have their own smoked bacon on them with several different customization options. Avocado, sauteed onion, egg, and different sauces.

There are a few other options as well, avocado burgers tend to be a favorite of mine (anything with avocado in actuality, especially guacamole).  If you are pescetarian or vegetarian, there are fish and veggie burgers as well.

Hot dogs with a myriad of topping options and the hot sandwich options round out the holdable options.

To get a tasting of their other business (Asuka Smoke Works) where they do their smoking, you can try the sausage plates, curry worst and bacon steak. Or if you just want to have a sampling, there is a sample plater too!

The Name Sake: Sakura Burger

When you have a namesake menu item, I’m going to try it.  The Sakura Burger is a homemade patty with smoked thick-cut bacon, lettuce, tomato, and pickle.  As aforementioned I love avocado statements, I had to have some added to mine! And if you haven’t had egg added to your burger (a trait of “Navy Burgers” in Japan), try it!

Seasoned with salt, pepper, and their homemade tartar sauce, it’s delectable. When served, the waitress pointed out to ‘please try our homemade ketchup along with your burger’. 

It’s on the table so you can decide how much you want.  Trust me, you won’t want to go back to HFCS Ketchup every again. It’s good.

Asuka Smoke Works

Sakura Burgers manages the Asuka Smoke Works as well. This is where the yummy bacon, sausage, hot dogs, (and they smoke chicken!) comes from. But also, if you have ever wondered how to make sausage, they have a workshop on it!

Yes, there is a special way to eat burgers

Did you notice the paper wrapping around my burger? If you’ve been following along, you’ve seen those before. Leave that burger in there! It helps keep all the goodness together and makes it much easier to eat.

Especially when you get a monstrosity of a sandwich like I did! It also helps to make sure that the sauce doesn’t go all over the front of you (I’ve mentioned before how I’m a klutz).

Drink Local

I like trying the local beer wherever I go. It’s actually how I ended up finding Sakura Burger and they didn’t disappoint in that area.  They have several local breweries beer available. After walking through the park for hours, having a Nara Local Craft Beer was very refreshing.

The Atmosphere

The place has a good vibe to it, it’s pretty small but cozy.  One of the tables even consists of a couch in the back of the restaurant.  The staff is very friendly and helpful.

I’m a fan of their logo.  A cowboy on a deer. They do close down for an hour in the afternoon between lunch and dinner so make sure you don’t hit them at the wrong time.  Also, don’t let the crowd scare you, it’s worth the wait!

Have you been to Nara? What are your food recommendations?

If you love avocados, Mexican Dining Avocado is the place for you. Their avocados come from the source, imported from a plantation in Michoacán province, Mexico. This restaurant prides itself with having the highest quality avocados in the world.   Whereas Mexican restaurants are a dime a dozen where I’m from, finding one in Japan is not always an easy feat (I was so happy when Azteca opened!). If there is one thing I miss in Japan, it’s Mexican food. When I run into a restaurant, I like to share the wealth. If you are looking for a Mexican restaurant in Tokyo or Kyoto, Mexican Dining Avocado has you covered.

On the menu: Mexican Dining Avocado

Mexican Dining Avocado is proud of having a modern feel and I can completely agree with the sentiment.  They want you to have not only a good time but good food! If you are feeling extra festive, they have a few set course menus to choose from with nomihoudai. What’s that you ask? 飲み放題, nomihoudai is a brilliant concept in Japan of all you can drink for a certain amount of time. Remember, public transportation is excellent here, so you can always catch a train home and not worry about driving. If you just want a lot of yummy Mexican food, there’s options without the drinks.

Mexican Dining Avocado also has the option to order ala carte. As to be expected from somewhere that uses the best avocados they can get, the guacamole was on point.

One of my most favorite dishes is guacamole and if you are looking for guacamole ingredients, note that cilantro in Japanese is called “パクチー” or “pakuchi” which is pretty fun to say if you ask me. It comes from the Thai language version of the word. Remember, katakana is used for every and all foreign words!

The tacos are street style though missing the second tortilla you usually see. Less structure and falling apart but delicious none the less. I’ll be going back for these as well as the other types though they could use a second corn tortilla to keep them less messy. There’s three types to choose from and plenty of other options on the menu as well.

Want the keep the meal light but still enjoy your avocado? You can order all you can eat (tabehoudai, 食べ放題) avocado!

Margarita!  Don’t want to go with the all you can drink option, there are still plenty of choices on the menu to quench your thirst.

Tequila Club テキーラ部

Speaking of margaritas, if you are a fan of tequila, there’s a club that meets at their Mexican Bal Aguacate location in Shinjuku San Chome. Check out their Facebook page for more information. There are over 200 tequilas to try!

Locations

With three Mexican restaurant in Tokyo and one in Kyoto, a traveler missing out on their favorite Mexican dishes can definitely get their fix here. My quest for greatness continues but this was definitely up there.

Shimokitazawa (下北沢) area of Tokyo is also super cute to spend an afternoon in.  A little hipster but some great restaurants, cafe’s, izakaya and venues. Probably one of the most unique concepts is Book & Beer, where you can peruse the book shelves while having a pint of beer!

Shinjuku Sanchoume (新宿三丁目) has both the Tequila bar AND another location of Mexican Dining Avocado. The menus are slightly different between each of the restaurants if you want to try an assortment of food!

The Kyoto store is near the Kyoto City Hall Station on the metro, not that far from the palace.

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