Place

Vietnamese Restaurant＆Grocery Phúc Khang

I visited an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant & Grocery ‘Phúc Khang’, 5 minutes of walk from Nishi-kawaguchi Station West Exit.

This establishment, marked by the Vietnamese national flag and huge yellow sign, has a grocery store on the first floor and a vast restaurant on the second floor. Inside the store, a row of Vietnamese national flags were welcoming customers. The day I visited was just a few days before the April 30^th, the 50^th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day of Vietnam. “On this commemoration day, the whole country would get carried away by the festive mood”, said Ms. Muen, who always has fantastic smile on her face. She, who fell in love with Japan so much, has been working at this Vietnamese restaurant ever since she came to Japan 11 years ago from suburban town of Hanoi.

Firstly, they let me check the restaurant menu. When it comes to Vietnamese dishes, ‘Pho’ and ‘Fresh Spring Rolls’ are the most famous ones in Japan. But remember, this is a genuine Vietnamese restaurant. Not only tropical delicacies of ‘Papaya salad’, ‘Watermelon juice’, but also an array of such ingredients that are not common in Japan as bullfrog, escargot, boar, goat, etc., as well as dishes of which taste goes beyond your expectation were all in the menu. On Ms. Muen’s recommendation, I ordered ‘Mixed Steamed Glutinous Rice’ and ‘Stir-fried Eel with Lemongrass flavor’ from the menu. Steamed glutinous rice was topped with seasoned mashed-meat, pork, ham, and eggs and sprinkle chili sauce on them when you eat. Stir-fried eel tasted sweet-and-sour with refreshing flavor of lemongrass and tamarind. Both were incredibly good. I also ordered ‘Bahn mi’, Vietnamese baguette sandwich, to take home. With smooth taste seasoned with Num pla, my takeaway Bahn mi was all finished by my family before I knew it.

After feeling completely full, I went downstairs to take a look at the grocery store. They deal a wide variety of products such as vegies and fruits from Vietnam, processed foods, spices, confectioneries, even ‘Balut (boiled duck egg before the hatch)’. Surrounded by unfamiliar products stacked on the shelves, packages and signs that are all written in Vietnamese, I felt as if I was in a local supermarket somewhere in Vietnam. Guided around the store by Ms. Muen, I bought the store’s specially smoked chicken, thick and sweet soup called ‘Che’, and Vietnamese’ beloved ‘Durian che’. While I was there, people from Vietnam incessantly coming for shopping. I could see those people come here for the taste of their home’s food.

If you come to ‘‘Phúc Khang’, an authentic Vietnamese restaurant & grocery, you can get a glimpse of rich food culture and daily life of Vietnam. I guarantee you, whether you have been there for countless times or never have been to, will find yourself enjoying the atmosphere just being there. Why don’t you visit there with your friends and family?

Phúc Khang

Address：Hayashi Bldg. 18-19, Nishikawaguchi 1-chome, Kawaguchi City.

Open hours：11:00 am～12:00 pm（from 10:00 am on Sat, Sun and National holidays）

Open 365 days

Editor’s note

When the season comes, raw durians appear on the shelf there. Though, this time, I got excited by seeing rows of frozen durian, durian che, and durian pies.

By SPRING the durian lover

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〜COCINA GRILL〜Place you can touch with Philippine culture

　Walk ten minutes from JR Keihin-Tohoku line, Nishi-kawaguchi station West Exit, there is a hidden gem called “COCINA GRILL”, those who know it, know it very well. This restaurant has such a magnetic power that once you got inside, you would be captivated by the magic of the Philippines. Through the grapevine, this restaurant became quite popular enough to have customers coming a long way to enjoy meals here. Some even say this is a “place I would like to recommend to someone special”.

　Today, I interviewed Aimi, who is running the restaurant together with her mother and younger sister, to talk about stories and charms of this exquisite restaurant!

COCINA GRILL, definitely the melting pot

　Not only people from the Philippines, but also Japanese, Australian, Vietnamese, Chinese, etc. are frequent visitors here. Whether you come on your own or in a group, you will be warmly welcomed with its homely atmosphere.

　“We would like to be families and friends with our customers”, Aimi said with a charming smile. This place is loved by customers as a “hidden gem” that makes you want to go with someone very special. Also, it gives a homey atmosphere in which family groups can casually enjoy meals.

Not just a restaurant! A hub of the Philippine’s culture.

　Aimi says it is her dream to promote the charms of Philippine food, which is still not generally known to people when compared to Thai food or Vietnamese food. For that purpose, they are holding events on authentic cultures of the Philippines so that even people who are not interested in Philippine food can take a closer look at the quintessence of the Philippines.

　Donating part of the profits of this restaurant to needy children in the Philippines, etc., they also are keen on supporting weak sides of the society. She passionately talked that, “I would like to take on a mission to promote the charms of the Philippines to a younger generation, then become a bridge to connect Japan and the Philippines”. She says her mother and younger sister are also sharing the same dream.

Chef’s recommendation

　Weekend menu, wide selection of meat dishes, etc., all you can see are this restaurant’s specialties. Halo-halo from dessert menu is in good favor with high school students.

　The prices that have not been changed since its opening are token of gratitude to customers.

　 “COCINA GRILL” is no longer a place to enjoy meals. It has become an important place to connect people and culture.

　By all means, find your time to visit “COCINA GRILL”, where you can find the cordiality of the Philippines. I am sure you can spend an exceptional moment there!

Phone：048-229-6722

Open hours：Mon・Tue・Thu・Fri・Sat・Sun 12:00 - 16:00、17:00 - 23:30

Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/shoppe.riches?locale=ja_JP

Editor’s NOTE

　The memorable Philippine is a place I chose to do my very first solo-trip abroad when I was a third-year student at a university. Although ten years have passed, I still remember clearly how I was saved by cordial hospitality from the people and tasty food there while I was in a bit helpless state in my solitary journey.

　Hope from the bottom of my heart that Philippine food that incredibly palatable to Japanese as well as goes surprisingly well with boiled rice, will one day gains more recognition in Japan along with the fascinations of the Philippines.　Seira

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Nishi-Kawaguchi Station West Side ～Seeking for the Scent of Asia～

　In the City of Kawaguchi which holds a large population of foreign residents, Nishi-Kawaguchi station West side is especially a densely populated area with them. The area radiates exoticism with wafting scent of spices. Lately, Asian-restaurants and foodstuff stores of the area is often picked up by media as “a place you can feel being in a foreign country while never having to leave Japan”. Have you ever visited the area?

　Ever since the streets of Nishi-Kawaguchi station West side area have finished improvement around 20 years ago, residents from Asian countries are increasing. Today, the greater part of the foreign residents’ population of this area is Chinese. Naturally, among all that includes Thai, Vietnamese or other country’s restaurants, the number of Chinese restaurants is most remarkable. From shops specializing in noodles, pre-cooked meals to restaurants serve delicacies of each countryside, you will never miss to enjoy authentic Chinese tastes once got inside the area.

　Among them, one of the most popular restaurants attracting Chinese customers with its authenticity is “Kyoutoushikasai ” . In there, you will have your fill of delicacies from the taste of home-cooked Chinese meals of each region, spit-roasted meals to freshly roasted ducks that are always being roasted in the front kitchen. You can locate this vast eating establishment in the West side area, about 3 minutes of walk from the station. Private rooms with huge round tables with a seating capacity of 7 – 20 are available on the second floor. Weekends will be a hectic day for the restaurant with incessant calls for bookings and placing orders.

　This “Kyoutoushikasai” was opened in 2016 by Mr. Zhao and his wife, Mrs. Xu. They came to Japan in 2008 and moved to Nishi-Kawaguchi area in 2010. Fascinated by Nishi-Kawaguchi, they kept striving for revitalizing the area. Now their restaurant has become one of the most prominent large-scale Chinese restaurants in Nishi-Kawaguchi area to be featured in TV shows and articles in magazines. Mrs. Xu says in early days, the restaurant used to be favored mostly by local Chinese. However, Japanese and Vietnamese customers are now increasing after they knew about the restaurant via media. Nevertheless, they staunchly kept authentic Chinese tastes to keep impressing not only Chinese but also Japanese who are stalwart fan of “Hardcore Chinese tastes”.

“Kyoutoushikasai” is also frequented by local Chinese people on occasions like Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, Birthday party, etc. when they need to sit around tables and enjoy the feast with family or friends.

　Aside from roasted duck, the signature menu of the restaurant, they have meat dishes, seafood menus that are cooked with fresh fishes from an in-house fish holding pool, low-priced nibbles, gorgeous main dishes, etc. on the menu. Menus gathered from all over China accounts for 300 or so. No way you can eat them all at one visit. As for drinks, Chinese alcoholic drinks, sour drinks and cocktails, unique soft drinks from China are all awaiting you. The chef’s craftsmanship, that have won the local Chinese’ confidence, never disappoints you. I assure you will enjoy this restaurant whenever you visit on your own, or in a large group of friends.

No need to worry about not speaking Chinese! You will be welcomed by friendly staff, they even have a Japanese and a Vietnamese staff. I really recommend you this restaurant when you crave some greatest “Hardcore Chinese tastes”, or eager to sit around a table with friends!

　Why do not you visit Nishi-Kawaguchi station West side area packed with restaurants and foodstuff shops from all over Asia, where you can feel the lively exotic sensation without leaving Japan!

Kyoutoushikasai

Address: 1F & 2F, Nishi-Kawaguchi Lion’s Mansion Yamate, 25-3, Nishi-kawaguchi 1-chome, Kawaguchi City

Open hours：11:00 am～12:00 pm

Open 365 days

Editor’s NOTE

There is no better way to feel happiness than sitting around a round table with your dearest ones and enjoy nicest meals.

By SPRING

On SPRING, the editorial staff

I am on an endless diet throughout the year.

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Have the Nicest BBQ Party in Kawaguchi! ～Have a Meat Juiced-up Moment in Arakawa Athletic Park～

On May 19th (Sun). 2024, I enjoyed a BBQ party at the Arakawa Athletic Park!

At the Arakawa Athletic Park, under the clear sky of verdurous season of the year, we, a group of six, had a good time over BBQ grill! I cannot wait to tell you that my first BBQ here turned out to be the exquisite one.

Save your time by prior reservations! Just bring your body to enjoy BBQ!

　We had ordered **“Mega Portion for 4 Persons” ** at the time of making reservation for this site. It came with plenty of foods includes sufficiently seasoned BBQ meat, vegies and stir-fry noodle set, as well as marshmallows for dessert! It was enough to get us feel completely full even for a group of six.

Of course it is OK to bring your own foods! It would be nice to throw your original BBQ party

Bring-in your own foods is also permitted here. I saw other tables were enjoying original potluck BBQ parties. It is another appealing advantage of BBQ to enjoy with foods of your choice!

Riverside BBQ site is exquisitely refreshing and exhilarating! On a fine day with scorching sun, it would be best to borrow an awning tarp.

You will have no trouble with fully equipped pit

BBQ pit, charcoal, tongs, paper-plates, chopsticks, paper-napkins, etc. Essentials to BBQ are all await here to spare you from bringing heavy bags. And you can start BBQ right away because charcoal is already fired in your pit. When the grill got charred, you can ask staff to change it. Rental kitchen scissors, kitchen knives, etc. are also available to ease your on-site preparation of foods.

Equipped with clean toilet facilities, tap water supply

BBQ site is also equipped with portable toilet facilities and tap water service. There will be no problem in washing foods and your hands.

Quick and easy clear-out! Just follow instruction from the staff

As your closing time is approached, staff will tell you about the timing to start clearing away. The only thing you got to do is separate the garbage by types of material and put them in designated garbage pits. Almost nothing will bother you in after-BBQ decluttering. You can leave with no garbage with you.

“On-site Interview for other users”

・Female group of seven. Basketball team members.

Following the last year’s BBQ here, this was their second time of having good time here. They said it suited them to bring their own foods and can use the pit with no preparations. They had had a very pleasant time in the previous year, so came again to enjoy BBQ this year, too.

☆ They brought various foods and enjoying the exquisite pleasures to the full.

・Duo with a doggy friend

We often go to an enclosed dog park, though never been to a BBQ site. We enjoyed being here very much because we could bring our food here.

☆ Doggy friend “SAKICHI-chan”, sitting on its own seat, also looked happy. It is wonderful to be able to bring our pet friends there.

Voices from my good company

The area had nothing of this kind when I was living around here before, but now, the atmosphere became very nice with these sites as dog park and BBQ site. I heard that this place allows us to bring foods, so I brought some homemade bacon today and I am happy that everybody liked it.

☆ I think it is nice that you can bring your food of choice in addition to order pre-arranged meal set!

■ Reservation・Other Details■

Application: Online reservation is available. Reservation accepted from 2 persons.

https://digiq.jp/reserve/arakawa/order_calendar.php

Open period:

On Saturday, Sunday, National holidays from April 13th (Sat), 2024 ～ November 24th (Sun), 2024.

Close：

Weekdays

The part with no reservation confirmed by 17:00 on the day before.

The day municipal events are scheduled

Open hours：

(April～October) 1st part 10:00～13:00 2nd part 14:00～17:00

(November) 11:00～15:00

Fee:

Adult (over Junior High School students) / \1,540/per person, Elementary School pupils / \770/per person

Parking space:

Available “Open hours” 9:30～17:30 “Charge” \600/per car

Other:

Can bring your foods of choice. Have preorder menu includes free alcohol, free soft drinks.

Enclosed dog park.

Access：

Bus: From Kawaguchi Station West Exit→bound for Nishi-kawaguchi Station West Exit→off at “Iizuka 2-chome” and walk about 6 minutes.

On foot: Walk about 20 minutes from Kawaguchi Station West Exit.

■ Inquiry■

Arakawa Athletic Park, BBQ Site

TEL: 070-3139-8296

Editor’s Note：

Since it was Sunday on which I visited the site, I saw many families with children or doggy friends there. With fully equipped BBQ facility and come-with-your-hands-free plans, even novices like us could comfortably enjoy the vibes.

You know how refreshing it is to have a BBQ party on a spacious riverside site! Why do not you create the greatest memory with your friends and family at Arakawa Athletic Park this summer? By Mimosa🌻

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