You can get a bowl of curry topped with macaroni and cheese at Coco Ichibanya World in Tokyo. (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)
Anyone who’s been to Japan with the U.S. military knows Coco Ichibanya, the ubiquitous curry franchise better known as Coco’s.
The chain has taken a global approach with its specialty restaurant, Coco Ichibanya World, just outside Kyobashi Station in central Tokyo.
Unlike standard Coco’s locations across Japan, this concept store features a curated menu of regional items typically only available overseas, including offerings from the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
The space offers a calm and relaxed atmosphere, a notable contrast to Tokyo’s fast-paced dining scene. It seats around 30 diners, with additional outdoor seating available when the interior reaches capacity.
Guests order via a tablet with multilingual support, including English, and can personalize nearly every aspect of their meal.
Diners choose from two types of rice – white or spiced 16-grain – and select spice levels on a scale from zero to 20. Add-ons include unconventional toppings like macaroni and cheese, as well as cheddar cheese fries served on the side.
While most Coco’s locations in Japan use a pork-based curry sauce, Coco Ichibanya World employs a meat-free version similar to the one served at international branches. The sauce, according to the company’s website, may still contain animal-derived ingredients such as milk. Taste-wise, the international sauces remains close to its original counterpart.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, the World location operates on a limited menu due to high lunch traffic. The full menu is available after 3 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.
Its proximity to multiple train stations and attractions like the Tokyo Police Museum make it a great spot to grab some food and relax during a day trip to the city.
Unlike standard Coco’s locations across Japan, Coco Ichibanya World features a curated menu ofl items typically available only overseas (Jeremy Stillwagner/Stars and Stripes)
Coco Ichibanya World
Location: 2−2−1 Kyobashi, Chuo city, Tokyo 104-0031
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Prices: Expect to pay between 1,000 and 2,000 yen.
Dress: Casual
Directions: Just outside Kyobashi Station, or a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station.
Information: Online: www.ichibanya.co.jp/cocoichiworld
