Cafe Gloria serves up Ukrainian cuisine not far from Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)
When I arrived in Japan, I was surprised to learn that a Ukrainian restaurant had recently opened near Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo, and I knew I had to give it a try.
Café Gloria is about a 20-minute walk from Yokota’s main gate or a five-minute drive. The café itself has room to seat about 16 people, and takeout is an option.
A small menu is available in Japanese and English; its four sets range in price from 1,700 yen, or about $13.06 to 2,000 yen. Each set comes with borscht, garlic bread, salad and a drink. The café also serves baked goods.
Finding Café Gloria open proved problematic. My friend and I made three trips before we could eat there.
The first time, its holiday hours were not updated on the café website, so we ventured there only to find it closed.
About a week later we tried again. An online search told us the café was open, according to confirmed hours posted on the website. Again, we found it closed.
Finally, I called the following week to confirm the café business hours and a friend drove past the site several hours prior to our arrival to confirm the place was open. Unfortunately, the food wasn’t worth the effort.
The beef stroganoff from Cafe Gloria, a Ukrainian restaurant near Yokota Air Base, Japan. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)
I ordered the beef stroganoff set and I can’t say I was satisfied. The food was a little bland and my friends said similar things about the chicken Kiev and pelmeni sets.
Café Gloria opened about a month ago, so I’d be willing to go again later once the staff gets into the swing of things to see if feedback prompts the kitchen to prepare its recipes more flavorfully.
After dinner, we all ordered slices of honey cake and chocolate cake for dessert. Café Gloria really shines with its desserts and baked goods. I thoroughly enjoyed my slice of rich chocolate cake despite not being much of a cake eater.
Overall, Café Gloria is worth a try, but don’t expect to be blown away. I recommend calling ahead to make sure the café is open. Bring some friends and order dessert because the entrée may not be the highlight of the day.
Cafe Gloria serves up Ukrainian cuisine not far from Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)
Café Gloria
Location: 2-3-1 Kamidaira, Fussa, Tokyo, 197-0012
Directions: From the Yokota Air Base’s main gate, cross Route 16 on Route 165 and follow it to Yanagi Dori; turn right and after just short of a half-mile Café Gloria will be on the left next to Mike’s Tex-Mex Restaurant.
Hours: Call ahead.
Prices: Set meals start at 1,700 yen.
Dress: Casual
Website: Online: cafe-gloria-restaurant.business.site
Phone: 080-3179-0821
