When it comes to cuisine to enjoy alongside sightseeing in the Asakusa neighborhood of Tokyo, monjayaki (a pan-fried batter-based dish) is a must-try.
In this article, we’d like to introduce a restaurant with a unique twist on the classic dish we found in this historic district, where numerous famous monjayaki restaurants line the streets.
“カマンベールもんじゃ,” Camembert Monjayaki 1,300 JPY (tax included)
What’s the secret behind the restaurant’s signature “Camembert Monjayaki?”
Monjayaki, made by cooking a flour-based batter mixed with water or broth, is loved for its endless flavor variations depending on the ingredients. However, there are ingredients regarded as classics, and cheese is one of them!
At “Rokumonsen Honten,” established in 1980, there are multiple monjayaki dishes featuring cheese, but the clear standout is their “Camembert Monjayaki.”
This is an irresistible dish for cheese lovers, using a whole chunk of Camembert cheese.
Camembert cheese sourced from Denmark
The visual appeal of this dish has made it a frequent feature on TV. As it’s made with simple ingredients like cabbage, tenkasu (tempura flakes), and Chinese noodles, the Camembert takes center stage.
With such a large piece of cheese, there’s a bit of technique required in preparation.
First, grill the Camembert alone on the iron griddle and cut it into pieces with the provided spatulas. Then, cover it with the remaining ingredients and let it steam.
Before the cheese completely melts, chop everything finely with the spatulas and stir-fry.
After stir-frying, form the ingredients into a donut shape and prepare the batter by mixing wheat flour with water or broth.
Add a spoonful of Worcestershire sauce for flavor, mix well, and pour the batter into the center of the donut-shaped ingredients.
When the batter begins to bubble, mix it thoroughly with the ingredients and spread it thinly on the griddle.
Sprinkle some aonori (dried seaweed) to taste, and it’s ready!
The aroma of grilled cheese and the crisp edges signal it’s ready to eat. It’s recommended to get a good char, as it really enhances the flavor.
The rich, creamy taste of Camembert fills your mouth with each and every bite, leaving you smiling. The melty texture is absolutely exquisite.
The mild sweetness and savory balance from the Worcestershire-flavored batter make it easy to enjoy without being too heavy.
You can also change up the flavor midway by using the various condiments on the table.
We recommend using the black pepper and Tabasco sauce.
Pepper brings a spicy kick, while Tabasco adds heat and tang, giving it a pizza-like twist. Experiment with these to discover your perfect flavor combination!
Rokumonsen Honten’s hidden gem: “Sakura Shrimp Yakisoba”
Rokumonsen offers a wide variety of dishes beyond monjayaki. The “Sakura Shrimp Yakisoba,” born from the original owner’s love of sakura shrimp, a small type of shrimp named for its cherry blossom-like color, offers a flavor that will have you hooked after just one bite.
“桜えび焼きそば,” Sakura Shrimp Yakisoba 1,420 JPY (tax included)
First, grill the pork and sakura shrimp on the oiled iron griddle to release their aroma. Next, add the yakisoba noodles, stir-frying to let the noodles absorb the umami of the pork fat and the flavor of the sakura shrimp.
Finally, add vegetables, mix everything together, and coat with Worcestershire sauce. Be careful not to add too much Worcestershire sauce, as it can diminish the sakura shrimp’s flavor. Just one or two pours is sufficient!
Then top things off with salt and pepper to season.
The noodles, infused with the umami of the ingredients, deliver a rich, savory aroma of sakura shrimp. Following that, the refreshing tanginess of Worcestershire sauce spreads across your palate.
The most distinctive feature of the Sakura Shrimp Yakisoba is the dashi from the sakura shrimp. It adds a layer of richness to the Worcestershire sauce, bringing out a deeper flavor.
By stir-frying the vegetable ingredients last, you can ensure they maintain a crisp texture. The crunchy, fragrant grilled sakura shrimp also add a nice accent. The Sakura Shrimp Yakisoba is big enough to share between two people, but with its excellent flavor, you might just finish it solo! It’s a delicacy that pairs perfectly with monjayaki.
Enjoy monjayaki, yakisoba, and teppanyaki cuisine
Rokumonsen Honten has both a main store and a branch, both in Asakusa. The main store is open from 11:00 AM daily, welcoming many tourists, while the branch opens at 4:30 PM on weekdays and 11:30 AM on weekends and holidays.
Rokumonsen Honten’s exterior
As many international diners visit, the menu is available in Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean. With model food samples displayed at the storefront, you can easily choose what to order.
In addition to monjayaki and yakisoba, the restaurant also serves a variety of teppanyaki dishes, making it a great spot to indulge in Japanese cuisine!
Model food samples in front of Rokumonsen Honten
Information
| Store name | 六文銭本店 Rokumonsen Honten |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-16-9 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Asakusa Station 4-minute walk from Exit 3
Asakusa Station 4-minute walk from Exit A1
|
| Phone number | 03-3843-5335 |
| Reservations | Accepted Phone |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 11:00-22:00（last order: food 21:00, drinks 21:30） Sat-Sun. & nat’l holidays 11:00-21:30（last order: food 20:30, drinks 21:00） |
| Closed | No fixed holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 22 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.rokumonsen.co.jp/ |
| Other information |
|
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of December 2024.
