Kaiseki doesn’t always have to be expensive. Agaru Sagaru Nishi-Iru Higashi-Iru in Harajuku serves affordable modern kaiseki dinners - great for initiates to Japanese fine dining.
Agaru Sagaru Nishi-Iru Higashi-Iru - image © Florentyna Leow
Modern kaiseki (Japanese multi-course fine dining) has an off-putting reputation for being expensive and inaccessible, but there are restaurants that offer entirely affordable, quality kaiseki meals. Agaru Sagaru Nishi-Iru Higashi-Iru in Harajuku is one such place.
Agaru Sagaru Nishi-Iru Higashi-Iru - image © Florentyna Leow
Imagine a parade of around 9 seasonal small dishes - think dishes like asparagus in sesame cream sauce, deep-fried greenling with onion, and chilled sweet potato soup, all plated in exquisite ceramic dishes and bowls. All this for JPY5000 per person makes it excellent value for money.
Agaru Sagaru Nishi-Iru Higashi-Iru - image © Florentyna Leow
The JPY5000 menu is only available for those who have made advance reservations. Walk-in customers, however, can choose to take the JPY3500 omakase (5 dishes selected by the chef) or order a la carte. Unfortunately, English-language menus aren’t available, but that’s never stopped them from doing their best with customers!
Agaru Sagaru Nishi-Iru Higashi-Iru - image © Florentyna Leow
At Agaru Sagaru, they pay attention to sake pairings much more than the average restaurant, and their sake selection changes regularly with their seasonal menus. It’s definitely a place to visit if you like Japanese rice wine.
For those familiar with kaiseki-style meals, it won’t be the most life-changing dinner ever. But for neophytes, it’s a good introduction to modern kaiseki dining at a very reasonable price point.
English name:
Agaru Sagaru Nishiiru Higashiiru
Japanese name:
上ル下ル西入ル東入ル
English address:
B1 Takeyama bldg., 3-25-8 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0001
Japanese address:
〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前3-25-8 武山ビルB1
Opening hours:
noon-2pm, 5:30pm-11:30pm
Price:
Non-smoking section:
Completely Non-Smoking
Reservations:
Possible
Nearest Transport:
Subway: 5-minute walk from exit 5 of Meiji-jingumae Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines.
Train: 7-minute walk from Takeshita exit of Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote line.
Telephone:
+81-3-3403-6968
Website:
Official website (Japanese)
Customer Reviews:
:: Read customer reviews of Agaru Sagaru Nishi-Iru Higashi-Iru on TripAdvisor.
Near To Here:
Agaru Sagaru Nishi-Iru Higashi-Iru is located in Tokyo's Harajuku And Aoyama district. See our complete list of things to do in Harajuku And Aoyama, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
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