Sometaro

En se promenant dans le quartier d’Asakusa nous sommes tombées par hasard sur cet okonomiyaki à la superbe devanture.
Nous avons été accueillies chaleureusement et la patronne nous a expliqué le principe de l’okonomiyaki et les différentes possibilités de plats. Nous voyant un peu maladroite elle a même pris en charge la préparation. Les plats étaient savoureux, bien consistants et plutôt bon marché. La salle est super jolie avec les tatamis et la décoration ancienne. A faire sans hésiter lors d’un passage dans le quartier

Ce resto est à juste titre dans pas mal de guide dont le cartoville, déjà de l’extérieur il est magnifique avec son arbre.
Très traditionnel on mange sur des tatamis après avoir retiré ses chaussures, devant une plaque chauffante sur laquelle on cuisine au choix des okonomiyakis ou des pâtes sautées.
Budget moyen de 800 yens par tête, très correct vu la qualité et le goût des produits.
En plus c’est ludique car on surveille et retourne soit même son repas.
Superbe adresse vers le quartier d’Asakusa.

Restaurant vraiment typique, l’extérieur est vraiment magique avec l’énorme Yuzu devant et que dire de l’intérieur, exactement le type de restaurant que l’on s’imagine en France, ou l’on doit retirer ses chaussures avant de rentrer et s’assoir sur des cousins à même.
Les plats sont plus que correct vu les prix et vraiment très bons, j’adore aussi le concept, nous mélangeons nous mêmes les ingrédients des okonomiyaki dans le bol avant de les mettre sur la table et de laisser cuire, j’avoue avoir eu du mal à les retourner mais c’était marrant au final, le plat de pâtes était très copieux pour deux.
L’accueil bien sympa avec la petite dame digne d’un manga qui viens vous demander combien vous êtes avant de vous placer;
si vous êtes dans le quartier, né passez pas à coté.

It’s my first okonomyaki experience and I’m glad I went there. It was so good I’m gonna come back next week. The staff was nice to us and gave us English menu to accommodate us. I took the 800yen one with cuttlefish and shrimp. It’s also super cheap for the amount of food! Go there!

I’ve been here twice now, once because it was at the top of «Restaurants» near Sensoji and again because it was so good. It seems to be very popular with backpackers and other hostel-​goers in the area, and for good reason: the okonomiyaki here is *fantastic*. I’ve sampled several now, from meaty options to fishy ones to even cheese-​mochi-​and-​corn. Combined with the cozy, low-​cielinged atmosphere and the warmth of the hot plates… makes you feel right at home.

Awesome experience!
This was our first dinner in Tokyo and what an experience. We had no clue what okonomiyaki was, but the person was incredibly helpful in Help us order and showing us how to cook.
For those who don’t know, okonomiyaki is a mixture that is poured out and cooked on a skillet at your table. That description doesn’t do it justice but it was awesome. Come on in (take your shoes off) and get ready to be in for a treat. There is some okonomiyaki with noodles, but we just did the pork, beef and cabbage. If not hungry, one is definitely big enough to be split, and most Japanese couples were splitting and single order.

Fuckin’ hell! Does every place I went to in Japan deserve a five star rating?! Apparently so. Rose-​colored glasses aside, I truly believe that this restaurant deserves every last one.
Sometaro specializes in okonomiyaki. The best way for me to describe it would be a savory lunch pancake. I came out to Asakusa to visit Sensoji Temple, and needed something to eat. The restaurant is about a 10 minute walk from there. It really stands out from the rest of the buildings, almost like it’s being sucked into a forest. Inside, you remove your shoes and sit on the mats in front of your table/​grill. The employees are beyond accommodating. A lot of the tables were occupied by Westerners who probably, like me, had no idea what to do. You choose the ingredients that you want from the menu. My server came up to me with a bowl of raw food and asked me to mix it up. I went with pork, (obviously,) cabbage, and egg. After I was done mixing, she poured it out onto the grill and shaped it for me. She left me with some instructions about flipping and went to the next puzzled table. When your okonomiyaki is done, you coat it with a brown sauce (couldn’t tell you what it was,) and Japanese mayo. I don’t eat mayo, but I like to try things in the traditional manner. Amazing flavors from the meat, and an excellent crunch from the cabbage. The mayo really brings it all together in a gross, yet delectable way. I ate like a pig, drank like a hipster, and paid what seemed like nothing when I walked out.
I’m so glad that Unilocal exists, because I wouldn’t have known about this restaurant otherwise. I absolutely love Sometaro. You need to make it a point to come here during your Tokyo stay. You’d be foolish not to.

The restaurant is pretty small, fitting around six tables in the front and a few more in the back. Once you walk in, you have to take off your shoes, put them in bags, and carry them to your table. Then you get to sit on tatami mats! The ladies here don’t speak a lick of Japanese, so there was a lot of pointing and smiling.
We ordered two items, Miharayaki for 800 yen (~$ 7) and Osomeyaki for 980 yen (~$ 9). The Miharayaki is the regular, while the Osomeyaki had noodles! The lady could tell that we were Level 100 noobs, so she came over to help us cook them.
Okonomiyaki is a savory pancake containing a bunch of ingredients. Okonomi means «what you like» and yaki means «grilled or cooked.»
After I snapped a photo of one of the ladies cooking our okonomiyaki, Stephanie S. whispered to me saying there was a sign that said don’t take pictures of their workers. Oops…
Steps to cooking your okonomiyaki:
1. Add lard to the grill
2. Mix the bowl of ingredients
3. Pour the entire mixture on the griddle into a circular shape
4. Flip when lightly browned using two metal spatulas
5. Allow to brown more deeply on the second side then flip again
6. Brush generously with the provided sauce
7. Drizzle copious quantities of Japanese mayonnaise over the top
8. Dust with nori flakes
9. Cut into pieces
10. Serve and enjoy!
Eating okonomiyaki at Sometaro was definitely a fun experience! Now, where do I find a place like this closer to home?

To experience something different and authentic in Japan, you have to try this. I need to give them bonus stars, coz the oyster okonomitaki was amazing. The host is very friendly! The hands-​on experience is fun. I would definitely come back again!

Go here everyone! This place is outstanding! Best meal we had in Japan! The staff is very welcoming and kind even though we had no clue what was going on! You walk in and put your shoes in a bag! Then pad in your socks to your very own grill where you sit on the ground to cook your food! It’s so fun! The staff helped us and gave us instructions on how to make our meals. And they turned out so delicious!!! I wish we had gone here earlier than our last night as we probably would have gone back. 100% recommend this restaurant!!!

Great place for okonomiyaki and yakisoba. You cook your own meal (with help if you need it) at the table.

Really good place, definitely recommend you to go. There was no queue at around 1pm Friday.

Amaze-​balls. This place is one of the coolest places I’ve ever been to in my entire life.
Pro-​tip: Instead of looking at the pictures and not reading the reviews, I should’ve read the reviews to prepare myself.
I got there at 5 minutes before opening and stood on line to get in. My wife and I made it in to sit down at a table. By sit down, I mean kneeled or sat cross-​legged because there are no chairs and the tables are low. Being an American, I’m not used to sitting on the ground, so at times I felt some discomfort. However, with my shoes off and in a bag I looked at my English/​Japanese menu and realized there were instructions for me to cook my own meal. One more time for the folks at home
—You cook your own meal on the stove–
I was blown away! I had never done this at a restaurant before and was completely lost at how to do it. The waiter sensed our noobish ways and helped us the entire time. We were on level 10 tourist zone because he did everything short of spoon feeding us.
However, the waiter was extremely courteous and basically cooked our entire meal for us. He went above and beyond to help out. Our meal was delicious and I would go back in a heart beat. The prices were amazing and so was the food/​atmosphere.
This needs to come to America. Arigato gozimas

So I had heard of the legend of this Okonomiyaki and I was not disappointed. It was so good, I almost passed out.
However, that may have been from the heat.
I came here and asked my Tokyo friend to join me. What I didn’t know is that it was going to be the hottest day in Tokyo that summer. And this is a tradition spot that not only has no ACs but you sit around a burning hot grill to get your Okonomiyaki.
HOT!
(They did have adorable little fans though with things like Pikachu on it, which we used in abundance.)
But the food, my god, the food. They have menus in English if you need it, you order what goes in your Okonomiyaki and then bring you over the stuff to cook yourself. That was a first for me, but it was a lot of fun and I think, maybe, made the food taste better. Or maybe we were just sweating and starving and anything tasted great.
Come on a cold day, it’s perfect for that.

One of my favorite monja and okonomi yaki places in asakusa.
Only thing I don’t like is the Toilet :(it is the Japanese style. If u don’t mind that I recommend this place :)

J’avais mis cette super adresse dans mes signets avant de partir et un midi n’étant pas loin de l’endroit nous décidons de nous y arrêter.
Déjà la devanture est trop mignonne. Entre les immeubles se trouve Sometaro. Tout de bois et de vignes vêtu.
A l’entrée vous êtes prié d’enlever vos chaussures que vous pouvez les mettre dans un petit sac plastique. A l’intérieur tout le monde est en chausson ou en chaussettes.
Les tables sont à ras le sol et chacune recouverte d’une plaque de cuisson. On déjeune donc autour de la table basse. Pas de chaises.
En clair on cuit soi même sa préparation qu’on aura choisi. Pour notre part nous optons pour de l’okonomiyaki (sorte de grosse omelette dans laquelle on choisi ce qu’on veut ajouter) et des yaki soba. (soba cuite aussi sur la plaque)
La gentille dame nous apporte les aliments dans un bol, que nous mélangeons et hop que l’on fait cuire sur la plaque. Bön il fait chaud et il n’y a pas la clim. Sur l’okonomyaki on rajoute la sauce soja et les copeaux de bonites séchées. Même si autour de la table nous avons eu bien chaud nous avons adoré nos deux plats.
Au final on sort repu de ce premier déj japonais ! On vous le recommande pour le dépaysement

The best okonomiyaki I’ve ever had was in a back street in Osaka, and this one wasn’t for off.
I ordered the top of the line most expensive one, and it was very good for 900. Absolutely huge too, I couldn’t finish it. The beer as always was creamy and ice cold and the service couldn’t have been better.

I am absolutely in love with okonomiyaki because of this place. Originally I didn’t want to try it since I tried it in the states because a Japanese foreign exchange student made it and I didn’t care for it. But I am so glad I tried this place in Japan. Luckily when I first went there was no wait and we sat down in front of a grill and shared it with another couple. I ordered the 1^st one which had cuttle fish, meat, shrimp, cabbage and egg. They brought me my bowl so you mix the ingredients all together and put some lard on the grill and pour the ingredients on. I let mine so a little longer since I wanted it to be extra crispy on both sides before I put on the sauce toppings. Then I ate it and it was absolutely delicious. The service here seemed fine but it is more of the experience of cooking the itself yourself on the grill that you must try. Prices are also reasonable and varies depending on the item you choose. Mine was probably no more than $ 8. FYI you need to go get your own water by the water dispenser.

A must do when in Tokyo. I hate saying that but this place is amazing. Every time I visit Tokyo I come here, even if I am dining solo. The food here is that good.
The okonomiyaki is delicious and there is such a simple pleasure in making it yourself. This place is rather traditional so shoes off, smiles on and sit yourself on the tatami mats.
The staff kind of speak english. Thankfully there is an english menu complete with photos so you can just point and smile.
*note– Like most of Japans better places this is a cash only establishment. So come prepared with all the yen.

We came here for the okonomiyaki (of course) which was easy to order in English and delicious. We ended up getting the azuki green tea shaved ice with condensed milk for dessert, which I still can’t stop talking/​thinking about. The shaved ice was so simple with just four ingredients, but it was of my favorite dishes during my whole ten days in Japan!

Okonomiyaki is an experience more than a food.
This is the pinnacle of simple, cook it yourself food. It is meant to be enjoyed with a few cold beers and great company. The only responsibilities of the restaurant, provide the ingredients, drinks, utensils, ambiance, and service.
Sometaro has been doing it right since 1937. Down a less traveled side street, the restaurant resembles an old wooden house. A Japanese maple, azalea bushes, and trellised grape vine adorn the narrow frontage. Through the draped noren, into a small alcove. Shoes removed then up two creaky wooden stairs to tatami floors. Abundant pillows surround old iron flattop grills. The smell of sizzling butter and lard perfumes the air. Jovial guest conversing loudly.
Two styles offered; Kansai («pancake») and Hiroshima («pizza»). Pro tip: The Kansai style is easier to cook. Various teppanyaki style starters also offered. Everything is self prepared. The only seasoning, other than the sauce, lard or butter.
Instructions are simple:
1. Add lard to the grill.
2. Mix the bowl of flour, nagaimo, egg, and «fillings» including beef, pork, seafood, cabbage, and onions.
3. Pour the entire mixture on the griddle.
4. Flip when lightly browned using two metal spatulas.
5. Allow to brown more deeply on the second side then flip again.
6. Brush generously with the provided sauce.
7. Drizzle copious quantities of Japanese mayonnaise over the top.
8. Dust with nori flakes (laver)
9. Cut on the griddle. Serve and eat hot.
The finished product is slightly doughy in the center with the flavor of the veg and seasoned by the fat of the proteins and the lard. The soy based sauce has a pronounced tartness with a clean acidic finish. The sauce preps the palate for each successive bite. the uneven blend of ingredients, great contrast in flavor.
Friendly but minimal service. (Do it yourself cooking, get your own water and tea).
Open air restaurant. No English spoken. No English menus. Cash only. Lunch for three inclusive of drinks and tax (no service fee) JPY 2,800. Leaving smelling like the meal, an added plus!

Loved the experience of making my own Okonomiyaki. I actually ordered the Miharayaki, Mihara is a city in Hiroshima, where they specialize in this specific dish. You select your ingredients of choice which are brought to you in a bowl combined with batter. You basically just mix all ingredients in the bowl well incorporating it all together, drop a bit of lard like substance onto the grill and pour it all at once cooking each side for five minutes or so. Think of it as a savory pancake. Toppings are all off to the side so you could dress your yaki however you’d like. It’s a fun way to experience authentic Japanese cuisine while sitting on the floor cooking up your own dish.

One of my highlights of Tokyo. Highly recommended.
Not many tourists so you get the full Japanese vibe. The service was really good the lady helped me made my pancake which was nice.
Food was delicious !

I went on the search for one of the best okonomiyaki places in Tokyo. or around Shinjuku area. Sometaro came up many many times. Luckily it was right around the street from the Sensoji Temple, which we we planned to go to.
They open at 12, and it was 11am by the time my bf and I found the place. We lounged and waited around till it hit 12. There was a pretty long line behind us as well by that time.
This place is very old school. You must remove your shoes and put it inside a plastic bag in which they provide. There are no chairs, so you’re sitting on a tatami (Indian style). I personally don’t like sitting like that because I have a slightly bad back as well as posture, but it did make the experience memorable! No AC inside, but tons of fans blowing throughout the area. All the employees are women and very friendly at that!
I chose the kimchee pork green onion okonomiyaki, and bf chose the cabbage and beef one. They bring out your bowls instantly, and you mix it up your self and cook em yourself! They have all the necessities out on the table (oil for the grill, okonomi sauce, mayo, nori, etc). If you aren’t sure on how to cook it, simply ask your waitress and she will be more than happy to help you. Luckily we didn’t need to do that! :p
BUT.the okonomiyaki was SO GOOD. It just has that home made flavor and my goodness it got me redonk full. I would go there again in a heartbeat!
Couldn’t taste the kimchi too too much, but it still packed tons of flavor.

Si vous êtes sur Asakusa, et si vous cherchez un bon resto d’okonomiyaki, je vous recommande très fort cette maison.
Oui, c’est vrai que ce n’est pas tellement près du temple, et il faut encore marcher même après la longue promenade dans la journée, mais oui, cela vaut la peine d’y aller!
La dernière fois que je suis venue, c’était déjà deux trois ans, j’étais avec des amis qui sont venus visiter le Japon.
Comme ils connaissaient déjà ce pays et comme ils voulaient goûter un bon okonomiyaki, alors je les amenés ici à Sométarô.
La vieille façade nous a fait déjà sentir l’histoire de cette petite maison, et aussi dès l’entrée c’était tout à la façon japonaise.
Il faut d’abord enlever les chaussures, et la salle est tout étalée de tatami.
On s’assoit sur le coussiin autour d’une grande table qui sert de la plaque à cuire.
Et en plus on a pas mal de choix qui nous tentent à goûter.
C’est super amusant de faire des pâtes de nous mêmes, et tout est un bon souvenir et aussi une bonne occasion d’expérienter la saveur de Tokyo quotidien.
Mais avant tout, ce qui est le plus chouette, c’est l’ambiance de l’intérieur et assi l’acceuil chalereux.
Tout est bon mais notamment j’aime le «anko-​maki», un roulet de pête d’okonomiyaki avec la pâte des haricos rouge sucrés. Biensûr on le faire avec nos main.
Si c’est la première fois de faire la pâte, né vous inquietez pas, il faut juste le dire au gens (soit les serveurs soit les gens qui mangent à côté), ils vous indiqueront tout ça.
Mais attention, comme c’est une vieille maison, il fait un peu trop chaud en été.