BBQ! In Tokyo! If you are looking for an option of good food in Tokyo, you might be surprised by the first authentic American BBQ in Tokyo. Not only that, Urban BBQ Smokehouse by T.Y.Harbor Brewery has a terrace. Swoon. If you know me, you know I LOVE alfresco dining. Any excuse to sit outside while I eat, I will take.

After a long day of shopping for unique clothes in Harajuku or the upscale stores of Omotesando, head over to Cat Street for this gem.

[Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July of 2018 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.]

American BBQ in Tokyo at Urban BBQ Smokehouse

There are four types of house made BBQ sauces to choose from: House Pit, Carolina Vinegar, Voodoo Hot and Porter Pepper.  All of the meats went very well with them.  Ah yes, the meat. Your options include:

• Beef brisket burnt ends (バーンエンドブリスケット) — yes, it really says burned ends
• Black Angus beef sausage (ブラックアンガスビーフソーセージ)
• the very specific, espresso rubbed USDA Prime beef brisket (エスプレッソを使ったプライムビーフブリスケット)
• Homemade smoked bacon (自家製スモークベーコン)
• Kansas city style spare ribs (ポークスペアリブ、カンザスシティースタイル)
• Pulled BBQ pork (プルドBBQポーク)
• Smoked chicken thigh (スモークチキン)

The brisket I think was the best I’ve every had in my life.  Not gristly at all and melted in your mouth.  The ribs were falling off the bones and amazing. Pulled pork was delicious too. If I had to choose a favorite, brisket, hands down. But why choose? You can get a 3, 4, or 5 BBQ combo platter.

Don’t forget the sides! Buttered and garlicked to perfection, definitely try the eggplant dip and veggies.  The platters come with cornbread and coleslaw as well.  The coleslaw had a kick of dill to it which I enjoyed.

T.Y. Harbor Brewery Craft Beer

Now on to what to drink! While the microbrewery scene swept the states and Europe in the 1980s, Japan was a little later to the party starting in the mid-90s thanks to a change in brewery license regulations. 

T.Y. Harbor Brewery has been brewing beer within the 27 wards of Tokyo since 1997 in Tennoz. Why am I mentioning this in a post about Urban BBQ Smokehouse? T.Y. Harbor Brewery owns the place. Meaning? They have a lovely selection of craft beer.

Year round there are options of pale ale, amber ale, wheat ale, IPA and Imperial Stout. They usually have a few seasonal beers that are also available at all of their restaurants (they have 14 businesses) and some limited offerings until they run out.

Beer not your thing? The bar also has an assortment of craft spirits to wet your whistle.

Best American BBQ in Tokyo, maybe Japan?

There are not a lot of places in Japan that are what Americans would call “BBQ”. I will report, that this is the best I’ve been to yet! If you are looking for some more authentic BBQ options in Japan, Yokosuka’s Nawlins (sadly now closed) and Yokohama’s Bashamichi Taproom both are delicious.

Pro-tip: Since there are so few American BBQ restaurants, if that’s what you are hankering for, make sure you specify it! If you aren’t careful in Japan, throwing out a “wanna go get BBQ tonight?” can lead you to Korean BBQ, which is a completely different experience that you should also have!

The Roastery

If you need a pick me up after dinner or while you’re here exploring Cat Street, check out The Roastery downstairs from Urban BBQ Smokehouse. The coffee shop sells only single origin coffee that they roast onsite. It smells amazing and was even wafting over to the Coco Agepan when it was there.

Tips for Deciding on Food in Tokyo

Let’s face it, Tokyo is a big place. If you notice though, the neighborhoods are all very unique. When I’m out exploring, I like to feel out the vibe of the area I’m in and actually try a spot or two. Japan is more known for smaller dishes that you order a lot of. Look at a typical meal like Kaiseki, lots of small plates with a wide variety of food!

A rule of thumb is that portions are a lot smaller, unless you’re getting something like ramen, or Japanese curry. So why not scope out a few options while you’re looking for food in Tokyo? And don’t think American BBQ in Tokyo is your only option! You could make a game out of it and try Korean BBQ, Yakiniku AND American and see which you like the best.

Bottom line, you can’t really go wrong when you are search out food in Tokyo, or really, anywhere in Japan.

Hungry? Pin this for later

While exploring Cat Street, I happened across a food truck stand – a rarity in Japan! – next to Urban BBQ Smokehouse and The Roastery called Coco Agepan and a slew of people drinking out of what looked like grapefruits.  

Those that know me, know that I’m a beer and wine person.  It’s rare that I’ll chose a cocktail or anything else unless I’m sitting pool, beach or water side.  Only then may you see me with an occasional tropical yumminess (can you sense a theme? Water changes everything apparently).

Low and behold, they had this drill bit apparatus to smash down the insides of the grapefruit for the juice. Oh, and for 100 yen more, you could add a dash of some coconut rum.  It’s summer somewhere, sign me up!

Coco Agepan Cocktails – All cocktails should be served in a fruit

So I’m sad to tell you, if it’s not summer time, you will miss out on the ice-y deliciousness served out of the very fruit it came from. So what does this cute little food truck serve the rest of the year? It’s all in the name.

Since opening in November of 2014, Coco Agepan has been making a stir in the news media with specials on TV and in Magazines. While it was the fun drinks that drew me in, the fried bread and donuts is what they really are all about.

What is Agepan (揚げパン)?

Age-pan, 揚げパン. Or more deliciously, FRIED BREAD. Made to order in 100% coconut oil, Coco Agepan is topped in a variety of different flavors and makes a nice treat. The original is simple with lightly sprinkled sugar.

However, you can also have it with crush coconut (matches the oil, it has to be tasty!), cinnamon, cocoa, the very Japanese matcha, black sesame seeds or kinako (roasted soybean flour — don’t let the name scare you, it’s yummy!). And don’t forget about the revolving monthly special! With 8 options in total, you’ll have to come back to Cat Street several times to try them all.

Coco Agepan prides themselves on their use of てん菜糖 (tensai tou). Which if you just put that into Google translate comes out with “sugar sugar” which amuses me. What it actually is is sugar made from sugar beets. Something similar in looks to a turnup, is a specialty from Hokkaido.

Other drinks

While the lovely grapefruit concoction is something you might see during the summer time, the rest of the year you can have a tapioca or a bottle soft drink. I’ll still be partial to the rum option myself. And if you are feeling like something harder, check out Urban BBQ Smokehouse next door to Coco agepan for some of TY Harbor’s craft beer.

Hours of Operation

They are open from 1200-1800 but not on Monday’s, Tuesday’s or in case of rain (it’s a really small food truck so I don’t blame them!).

How to get to Coco Agepan

It’s Japan, so train routes are aplenty. If you are on the Yamanote line, get off JR Harajuku Station. On the Chiyoda Subway line the closest stations is Omotesando Station or there’s the Meiji Jingumae Station which is served by both the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Line.

Don’t let the map fool you, the food truck is right at the bend in the road next to Urban BBQ Smokehouse.

Making your own agepan

Let’s face it, maybe you can’t make it to Coco Agepan and want a treat. The best part about this, is the ingredients are super simple. Make your favorite sweet bread recipe, roll it into a sort of hot dog shape, fry in some coconut oil and top with sugar or whatever you may desire!