Best Japanese Chain Restaurant

 If you’ve been to Japan, or live in Japan, you might notice there are some famous chain restaurant. Like Saizeriya, Gusto, Royal Host, Yoshinoya, Sukiya, Nakau, Ootoya, Yayoi, Kura Sushi, Sushiro, etc etc. So many.

Most offering affordable yet delicious meal. But among all, I have my favorite. For me is the best!

Before I reveal my favorite chain restaurant, I want to say that some of Japanese chain restaurant have some branches in foreign countries, including mine.

In my country, we have Yoshinoya, Sukiya, Ootoya, Marugame Udon (Marugame Seimen), Seirockya, and many more.

I personally prefer Yoshinoya in my country to Japan one.They have more menu! There are many kinds of chicken rice bowl and fried side dish as well.

And… my favorite Japanese chain restaurant is… Ootoya!!!

I tried Ootoya for the first time in my country. I can’t remember when was exactly the first and why did I go there. I only can remember that Ootoya is good!

Being more expensive than average Japanese chain restaurant (in my country), I don’t think it’s popular there. Most of my friends know what is Yoshinoya, but less know Ootoya. 

Whenever I go to shopping mall and I’m lost what to eat, I go Ootoya!

Three years living in Japan, I only have been to Ootoya around five times. I mean, yes I like Ootoya, but there are other restaurants to visit and most of the time I cook myself.

The best of Ootoya is their chicken kurozu! The full menu name is tori to yasai no kurozu an a.k.a chicken and vegetables in sweet black vinegar sauce. It’s sooo good. It’s comforting and taste like home food, you’ll always miss.

First time eating chicken kurozu in Japan, it didn’t taste as good as in my country. Maybe because my mom always paid for the bill 😂

Last week, I went to Ootoya in Shibuya. I really wanted to it chicken kurozu but I needed to try other menu.

So, I tried amakaradare karaage set and mini bowl of tara kurozu. I always had chicken kurozu but never had tried tara kurozu before.

I like amakaradare karaage! For tara kurozu, hmmm I prefer the chicken one.

The price is also affordable. You can eat teishoku for less than 1000 yen!

Anyway… If you come to Japan or if there is Ootoya in your country, try try! I don’t guarantee you will like it though. 🥱

Note:

kurozu (黒酢) = black vinegar

tori to yasai no kurozu an (鳥と野菜の黒酢あん) = chicken and vegetables in black vinegar sauce

amakaradare karaage (甘からだれから揚げ) = Japanese-style fried chicken with sweet-salty sauce

tara (鱈) = cod fish

teishoku (定食) = meal set