[Interview Report] A permanent store “Chikawa Restaurant” has opened in Ikebukuro PARCO! Enjoy children’s lunches that adults can also order.

Chiikawa Restaurant , a permanent store where you can enjoy a collaborative menu of the popular manga series Chiikawa by illustrator Nagano, opened on November 16, 2023 at THE GUEST cafe & diner on the 7th floor of Ikebukuro PARCO main building.

I attended a preview for the media held the day before the opening, so I would like to introduce you to the atmosphere inside the store, the grand menu, and the attached goods shop.

*Chiikawa Restaurant requires advance reservations.
*The content of this article is as of the time of reporting and may differ from the latest information.

From the walls to the windows to the accessories! Cute “Chikawa Restaurant”

“Chiikawa Restaurant'' is a restaurant based on the concept of a “family restaurant'' that can be enjoyed by a wide range of “Chiikawa'' fans, with interior decoration that uses plenty of newly drawn illustrations and an original menu.

This is the third time PARCO has opened a collaboration cafe with Chikawa, following Chikawa Cafe and Chikawa Hanten. According to a PARCO representative, due to the increasing popularity of the anime that started airing in 2023, many people are unable to make reservations for the limited-time store openings, so this time they have decided to open the store permanently. It was said that it took the form of a store.

Store exterior

If you visit the 7th floor of Ikebukuro PARCO, you will be greeted by a photo spot featuring adorable hall staff members Chiikawa and Hachiware, and Usagi, the second-generation head chef. When I turned my attention to the store, I saw that red was sprinkled all over the exterior walls, Chiikawa and the others' costumes, and the mats placed at the entrance, so red seemed to be the store's image color.

The interior of the restaurant is a warm space with a wooden floor and cream-colored wallpaper, centered around red box seats. The windows and walls are full of 360-degree decorations based on newly drawn illustrations!

Chiikawa tries to carry a cup with a sharp expression but ends up breaking it, Usagi shows excellent knife skills, Momonga goes at his own pace and cries out, "I want to lie down and rest!" and he stares at her with a smile. Is cooking the next step, or maybe it's "that guy"? The atmosphere of the original work remained the same, and although it wasn't just cute, it was still super cute, creating an irresistible happy atmosphere for fans.

Screens and monitors installed on the walls play commercial-style illustrations, menu slides, and episodes from the original work related to the menus. In addition, Hachiware sometimes speaks in the video, but the lines are said to have been shot specifically for the store. This is a valuable audio that can only be heard here, so we recommend listening to it when you visit.

The call button installed on each table has a chestnut bun design. You can feel the attention to detail, such as the original logo on the towels and paper napkins.

The paper placemats (A3 size/3 types in total) that are randomly distributed to each visitor as a bonus are designed to help you find the difference.It's surprisingly difficult, so it's a great way to kill time while waiting for your food.

There are 8 types of grand menu. "Chikawa's children's lunch" is satisfying even for adults ◎

In addition to offering a total of 8 types of grand menus, the store also holds a fair where limited-time menus are available.

*At the first fair that will mark the opening, some of the popular menus from the first collaboration cafe “Chiikawa Cafe” held in 2021 will be reprinted. (until February 13, 2024)

Here we will introduce the grand menu. First, we sampled the “Chikawa's Children's Lunch'' and “The Second Chef's Whimsical Dessert Plate,'' which we sampled at the preview. All prices below include tax.

"Chikawa's Children's Lunch" (1,870 yen) is a children's lunch that adults can also order. It's a varied menu that includes chicken rice with Chikawa's face on it, hamburger, Neapolitan, fried shrimp, star-shaped croquettes, apple-flavored jelly in an original package, and even orange juice. As a bonus, you'll receive a random nostalgic whistle toy (all 3 types).

The spoons and forks provided are child-sized and may be difficult for adults to use, but regular cutlery is also provided so you can use them as you like.

When I ate it, I found that the flavor balance between the nostalgic strong chicken rice and Neapolitan and the simple fried shrimp and star-shaped croquette without sauce was just right. All of them were delicious, but I especially liked the star-shaped croquettes, which were crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and had a slightly sweet flavor. It was more filling than it looks, and was quite satisfying.

"The Second Chef's Whimsical Dessert Plate" (1,760 yen) is a dessert plate with three types of desserts. Only the “Muchauma Pudding'' is common, and the other two are “enjoyed after being served'' menus that Usagi, the second-generation head chef, chooses on a whim from the menu below.

<Desserts that may be selected>
・Vanilla ice cream with colored ice cream and alazan
・Caramel custard tart with some kind of hard fruit
・Pancakes made with fruit jam
・Roasted marshmallow smore

The lines written in stencils on the plates (in my case, “Yaha'') seem to vary depending on the person, and the idea of keeping the character of a rabbit whose actions can't be read is tickled by fans.

The “Muchauma Pudding'' and the postcard you receive with your order have a slightly distorted rabbit's face drawn on them. This is probably an image of the mark Usagi drew on her weapon in the original story. It gives the impression that the rabbit worked hard to make it, and it naturally brings a smile to my face.

On this day, we had three types of food on the plate: “Muchauma Pudding,'' “Pancakes with some sort of fruit jam,'' and “Baked Marshmallows.'' The pancakes were especially delicious. Although small, the dough was not too soft and had a satisfying buttery aroma, and the sweet and sour berry sauce left the palate feeling refreshed.

The author is an adult woman who is neither a picky eater nor a big eater, but “Chikawa's Children's Lunch'' and “The Second Chef's Whimsical Dessert Plate'' filled my stomach just right. I hope this will be helpful when ordering.

In addition, among the rice-based menu items on the grand menu, "Rou (Shisa 1-day owner ver.)" is an arrangement of "Rou" ramen that has appeared in collaboration cafes to the super part-time Shiisa 1-day owner version. (1,760 yen) and the “Hachiware's Fried Egg Hamburger Set'' (1,760 yen) that will make you want to help Hachiware who is about to be cooked while muttering, “It's okay…it's okay…''.

The dessert menu includes "Ganbare!! Chikawa Weeding Tiramisu" (1,540 yen), which is inspired by the labor of weeding, and "Momonga's Chocolate Banana Parfait – I want to eat something sweet" (1,540 yen *12 Available from the 26th of May).

The tiramisu is especially noteworthy, and I hear that you can use tweezers to pull out the grass stuck in the tiramisu and feel like you're actually weeding. When you finish eating, a QR code will appear on the bottom of the container, and you will receive an extra "reward bag" card. This is a dish that can be enjoyed in many ways.

There are two types of drinks on the drink menu : “Otter's Hot Wiener Coffee'' (1,210 yen) and “Cherry Manju Carafe Sangria (Non-Alcoholic)'' (1,100 yen). When you order one drink, you will receive a random cafe original clear coaster (10 types in total).

In addition to the 8 types of grand menu mentioned above, the take-out only "Kurimanju Day Drink with Souvenir Cup" (1,600 yen) is on sale at the cash register. This is a mildly sweet ginger ale sold at Chikawa Hanten@Odaiba Adventure King. Don't forget to pick it up when you return home.

You can also use the tableware used in restaurants at home! Don't miss the attached goods shop

The attached goods shop carries a wide selection of related goods, mainly original Chikawa Restaurant goods. What's nice is that some of the plates and cutlery used in the dishes served at the restaurant are also on sale.

Some of the original goods

“Hall mascot” (1,540 yen each)

With some exceptions, original goods can also be purchased at the official online store "Chiikawa Market," but the real goods are many times more attractive than they look in the images. If you have a chance, please come and visit the goods shop.

*Anyone can use the goods shop, but since it is expected that there will be a mix of people for a while after opening, entry may be restricted using a numbered ticket. For more information, please check the store's official website or X official account.

Chikawa Restaurant is a long-awaited permanent store for fans, where you can spend the most relaxing time enjoying a cute menu filled with the world of Chikawa. We will continue to pay attention to what developments will entertain us from now on.

■Overview of “Chiikawa Restaurant”

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