Anna Miller’s Tokyo continues to draw crowds who enjoy the taste of Pennsylvania Dutch-style pies and other American fare. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
A Tokyo restaurant is back in business luring hungry customers with the taste of home cooking, Pennsylvania Dutch style.
Anna Miller’s reopened its doors on Feb. 13 on the first and second floors of the Seizan II building in Minami-Aoyama in Tokyo.
The restaurant specializes in American fare and delicious pies made on the spot daily. It made its initial debut in Japan in 1973, but has its roots in Hawaii, where it is still popular.
An apple pie a la mode is part of Anna Miller’s American fare in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
A Pennsylvania Dutch-style chocolate pie is part of Anna Miller’s American fare in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Anna Miller’s once boasted more than 20 locations in the Tokyo metro area, but the last of those shuttered in summer 2022, with no plans to reopen. The company continued its online bakery and pop-up store sales.
But after three years and with increasing customer demand, Imuraya Co. Ltd. announced the reopening of its original location in Minami-Aoyama. The dining area at the new location fits about 30 people and was full when my family was seated about 20 minutes after arriving. No reservations are accepted.
The menu includes made-to-order buttermilk pancakes, salads, burgers and other sandwiches, including a clubhouse and a pastrami Reuben, along with delectable American pies.
A thick and juicy hamburger is part of Anna Miller’s American fare in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
I tried the pancakes, which came in a two stack, added a side of soft scrambled eggs and two slices of bacon for 1,760 yen, or about $11. The pancakes were good and went down easily with the maple syrup.
My son decided on the thick-cut hamburger on a whole wheat bun with a side of potato wedges. He wholly enjoyed it and gobbled everything up.
Anna Miller’s has reopened its Pennsylvania Dutch-style restaurant in Tokyo that serves delectable pies and other American cooking. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Besides the food, another unique feature of the restaurant is its staff, who wear traditional jumper-style waitress uniforms, part of Anna Miller’s distinctive appeal. Note: it’s OK to take photos, but do not include the staff.
The highlight of the visit was the selection of pie slices we ordered earlier.
A taste of a banana cream pie for me and an apple pie a la mode for my son was sufficient to cap off our in-store meals. Both pies tasted how they looked, rich and tasty, and the flaky pastry crusts solidified the American homemade pie experience.
Other options include Dutch-apple pie, fruits and cream, chocolate cream, cherry and cheesecake, plain or with blueberry or cherry fruit topping.
A slice will cost you 850 yen. Not too bad considering they are freshly made. A whole pie ranges from 5,400 yen to slightly more than 5,800 yen, depending on the choice.
A virtual shop allows you to peek inside and navigate the old Takanawa location, look at menu items and access Anna Miller’s online shop and order pies for delivery.
If you opt for the in-store experience, it is best to get there early because lines grow and pies sell out fast. We were fortunate enough to snag a few slices to go.
Anna Miller’s has reopened its Pennsylvania Dutch-style restaurant in Tokyo that serves delectable pies and other American cooking. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Anna Miller’s
Location: 2-26-34 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0062.
Directions: A minute walk from Gaienmae Station on the Tokyo Metro’s Ginza Line.
Hours: Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and holidays.
Prices: Pay 850 yen for a pie slice and up to 5,800 yen for a whole pie. Entree prices vary.
Dress: Casual
Information: Online: annamillersrestaurant.jp; Credit cards accepted. Takeout is available for pies and cheesecake only.
