Kawagoe Lunch Spots

Recently we were introduced by our friends P-san and Naomi to Kawagoe, an Edo-era town in Saitama, northwest of Tokyo. Our friends had made a reservation at furin 風凛, a sushi restaurant in the Saiwaicho neighborhood of Kawagoe. As their website says, Furin serves "Koedo Kaiseki," a new type of Japanese cuisine that combines kappo cuisine and sushi.

The restaurant, located in a charming, traditional Japanese wooden building constructed in 1918, offers a glimpse into the historic Japanese architecture of that time period, with its serene pocket garden and classic interior design. All the wood used in the construction of the house is original, and you can even see some evidence of time on the weight-bearing beams! 

We were seated upstairs in an open area with tables set for four. It really felt like going back in time as we sat down. We had a pared-down version of the Koedo Course, which does require a reservation. Our meal was exquisite! Here's a look at our five-course lunch.

The second place I'd like to suggest is completely different. It's a Western restaurant somewhat away from the main street called BurgerCafe honohono. This quaint little restaurant offers big burgers with toppings that are not found on burgers in the States.

I ordered their speciality, the honohono BURGER, which is a thick, complex synergy consisting of a fried egg, BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, a salad dressing, and cheese surrounding a nice-sized charcoal hamburger. The waiter told me that the first thing I should do is squeeze it, which caused the egg yolk to burst and drip along the sides of the burger. What a visual! He also gave me a little paper folder to put the burger in so it would not spill out on my hands so much. That only worked a little, and perhaps that is my fault.

Anyway, the hamburger tasted fresh and original, and so I had to give it two thumbs up. It comes with a small portion of steak fries. You can order your burger any way you like, as they have a menu where you can select items and build your dream hamburger. Check it out.Okay, so you're probably wondering if I had these two lunches on the same day. Well, no, I did not. I actually came back the next day to specifically try the burger joint, and check out some things in Kawagoe that I missed the previous day. But don't let me dissuade you if you are feeling extra hungry when you visit this little feudal town. Go for it!