The craft beer manufacturing company, Yoho Brewing Co., Ltd., (referred to hereafter as Yoho Brewing) is often considered a pioneer of Japan’s craft beer boom.
Cozily nestled in Shinjuku’s Kabukichō district is where you’ll find “YONA YONA BEER WORKS Kabukichōten” (referred to hereafter as “YONA YONA BEER WORKS”), which consistently offers around 10 different types of craft beers from Yoho Brewing.
3 recommended craft beers at YONA YONA BEER WORKS
YONA YONA BEER WORKS places a great emphasis on the compatibility between their craft beer and their cuisine. So if you ask the staff for help, they won’t hesitate to recommend a beer that pairs well with your dish.
For our trip to the ale house, we scouted three recommended craft beer and dish pairings.
The classic “Yona Yona Ale” paired with the “Roast Chicken” is a delicious combo you can’t go wrong with!
The tender meat of the “Roast Chicken,” one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, is absolutely delicious.
“国産伊達鶏のローストチキン（ハーフサイズ）,” Roast Chicken (Half Size) 2,100 JPY (tax included)
You can choose from a whole, half, or quarter size when ordering the Roast Chicken, and if you’re sharing with 2-3 people, the half size is recommended.
The Roast Chicken is slow-cooked, giving it a crispy and fragrant exterior while keeping the meat moist and tender.
It pairs especially well with one of Yoho Brewing’s flagship beers, “Yona Yona Ale.”
“よなよなエール（PINT）,” Yona Yona Ale (pint) 1,100 JPY (tax included)
Umami bites writer Steven, a beer enthusiast and not one to turn down a drink, gave a strong endorsement of the delicious pairing:
Yona Yona Ale has a really pleasant fruity hop aroma and a subtle citrusy flavor.
Its refreshing taste and fruity hops make for a perfect pairing with the rich flavor of the roasted chicken and its crispy skin! This combo definitely makes you want to order another round!
The restaurant keeps the seasoning for the Roast Chicken simple, using just salt and pepper to enhance the flavors of the craft beer.
The salt and pepper seasoning is well-balanced, and the quality of the meat is excellent, so the chicken is delicious on its own.
However, when enjoyed together with Yona Yona Ale, it really enhances the umami flavors, making it even better, so it’s highly recommended to pair them together!
“Craft Sausages” with 11 flavors to choose from
Another signature dish that goes shoulder to shoulder with the Roast Chicken are the restaurant’s “Craft Sausages,” which come in a variety of 11 flavors.
“職人ソーセージ（３ピース）,” Craft Sausage (3 pieces) 2,200 JPY (tax included)
For our order, we chose a trio featuring “Plain Pork,” the most popular sausage at YONA YONA BEER WORKS, along with “Japanese Herb” and “Yuzu & Pepper,” which are especially popular among international diners.
A highly recommended pairing to go with this combination is the “Boku Beer Kimi Beer,” which offers a soft acidity with notes of lemon and muscat.
“僕ビール君ビール（PINT）,” Boku Beer Kimi Beer 1,250 JPY
Boku Beer Kimi Beer has a really tasty combination of lemon and muscat flavors with a pleasant tartness that lingers.
It pairs really well with smoky sausages that have herb and spice accents like the Yuzu & Pepper, making it an awesome combination!
The Japanese Herb sausage offers the refreshing flavor of shiso leaves that spreads in your mouth, and the Yuzu & Pepper brings a zesty spiciness that leaves a kick.
The Plain Pork sausage provides a satisfying texture with its finely ground meat, and its extra-long 120g size makes for quite an extravagant visual impact!
Each sausage is first boiled to bring out the juiciness and then meticulously grilled, giving it a crispy texture and a burst of meaty goodness!
The mouth-watering “Japanese-Style Buffalo Wings” you can only get at the Kabukichō branch
As of October 18, 2023, YONA YONA BEER WORKS has expanded to 7 locations in Tokyo, each with its own set of limited menu items. At the Kabukichō branch, you can enjoy “Japanese-Style Buffalo Wings” as one of these exclusive offerings.
“バッファローヤゲン軟骨,” Japanese-Style Buffalo Wings 780 JPY (tax included)
The Japanese-Style Buffalo Wings are an interesting twist on the classic American dish and bar room favorite, Buffalo Wings.
While traditional Buffalo Wings use chicken wings and drumsticks, the Japanese-style Buffalo Wings at YONA YONA BEER WORKS use chicken cartilage, which provides a delightful crunchy texture.
The hot sauce, which offers a balance of tomato sweetness and onion tang, pairs exceptionally well with the craft beer “”Indo no Aooni,” and its delicious flavor may lead to some overindulgence!
“インドの青鬼（PINT）,” Indo no Aooni (Pint) 1,250 JPY (tax included)
There’s a refreshing bitterness akin to grapefruit and the sweetness of malt found in the Indo no Aooni.
The robust flavor of the Indo no Aooni pairs well with the spice and tanginess of the Japanese-style Buffalo Wings, making it one delicious match.
On top of that, the special sauce made by blending cream cheese and yogurt served alongside the spicy treat was outstanding!
The chicken cartilage coated in hot sauce, the refreshing dip sauce, and the bitterness of Indo no Aooni all offer distinct flavors, yet they harmonize perfectly, creating a delightful blend.
Every visit to YONA YONA BEER WORKS brings the opportunity to discover new craft beers
In addition to their year-round craft beer offerings, YONA YONA BEER WORKS introduces limited-time craft beers every couple of months.
With new flavors waiting for you every time, it’s a place that will make you want to visit regularly.
Explore the charm of craft beer at this Japanese-born brewery.
You’re sure to discover a new side of Japan’s appeal, different from its cuisine!
Information
| Store name | YONA YONA BEER WORKS 歌舞伎町店 YONA YONA BEER WORKS Kabukichōten |
|---|---|
| Address | Humax Pavilion Shinjuku Annex 1F, 1-21-7 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Seibu-Shinjuku Station 1-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station Main Exit
Shinjuku Station（SJK） 6-minute walk from Shinjuku Station East Exit
|
| Phone number | 050-1808-9592 |
| Reservations | Accepted Phone, Official Website, Tabelog, Reserve with Google |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 16:00-23:00（last order 22:30） Sat-Sun. & nat’l holidays 12:00-23:00（last order 22:30） |
| Closed | No fixed holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 50 seats 16 counter seats, 34 table seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://yonayonabeerworks.com/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of October 2023.
