June 1st 2024.
Have you been longing to taste authentic Japanese cuisine, just like the kind your grandma used to make? But, unfortunately, you do not have a Japanese grandma to fulfill your cravings. Well, here's your chance to experience that familiar and comforting taste of grandma's cooking.
Japan is known for its amazing restaurants, but there's still something special about a dish made from a family recipe by your grandma. The rustic, homemade flavor not only satisfies your taste buds but also fills your heart with warmth. However, it can be a bit of a challenge if you don't have a Japanese grandma of your own. But, don't worry, we have a solution for you!
There's a hidden gem of a restaurant in Tokyo's Nishi Ogu neighborhood, in the Arakawa Ward, called Machinaka Shokudo, which translates to "Neighborhood Cafeteria." Don't let the generic name fool you, as this restaurant aims to provide its customers with the nourishing nostalgia of home-cooked meals. And, the way they achieve this is truly heartwarming.
Their help-wanted sign specifically mentions that they are looking for part-time cooks over the age of 60. This is because Machinaka Shokudo wants to give these experienced grannies a chance to showcase their cooking skills. The restaurant is an accommodating employer, offering flexible working hours and allowing grannies to take days off if they are not feeling well or have other plans. They are also encouraged to cook using their own recipes, which they have perfected over the years of cooking for their families and friends.
This unique approach to cooking means that the menu at Machinaka Shokudo may vary depending on who is in the kitchen that day. Hand-written strips of paper are posted on the walls, mentioning the names of the grannies who have cooked the dish of the day. During our visit, we were tempted by the various a la carte options, such as Grannie Keiko's Chicken with Chili Sauce and Radish, Onion, and Marinated Ham Salad, Grannie Mariko's Anchovies Olive Garlic Potatoes, Grannie Mitsue's Chicken with Ume Sauce and Konjac Noodles with Spicy Cod Roe, and Grannie Chirishi's Simmered Sablefish. But, since we were there for lunch, we opted for the set meal, which included a main dish, two side dishes, miso soup, pickles, and rice, all for 1,000 yen.
The Chicken with Ume Sauce, made by Grannie Mitsue, was our top choice. With the weather getting hotter and more humid in Tokyo, this dish was a perfect blend of sweet and sour flavors, refreshing and invigorating at the same time. The fact that we were able to taste a dish that is usually only reserved for Grannie Mitsue's personal acquaintances, made it even more special and delicious. The sides, Grannie Mariko's Anchovies Olive Garlic Potatoes and Grannie Keiko's Radish, Onion, and Marinated Ham Salad, were equally delicious and complemented the main dish perfectly. We even thought they would make great snacks to enjoy with a beer or sake at the end of a long day, especially since Machinaka Shokudo is open until 10 pm.
Though Machinaka Shokudo is slightly outside the Tokyo city center, it is just a minute's walk from the Odai stop on the Toden Arakawa Line, also known as the Tokyo Sakura Tram streetcar line, which is currently adorned with beautiful blooming roses. We are definitely going back for another meal the next time we are in the neighborhood, and we will make sure to look out for Grannies Mitsue, Mariko, and Keiko's names on the day's offerings, now that we know how amazing their cooking is.
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