Smart Click Chops is a smoked barbecue restaurant located in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
An applewood-smoked barbecue restaurant in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward gives off American vibes throughout its cozy atmosphere.
Smakelijk C’hops, or Smart Click Chops, smoking meat since Feb. 25, 2019, is open for lunch and dinner. Smakelijk is a Dutch word meaning “enjoy your meal.”
The restaurant was on my bucket list, and a not-so-busy weekday afternoon provided the opportunity to chat with the person who runs the place.
Yoshiyuki Matsumoto is the owner of Smart Click Chops, a smoked barbecue restaurant in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Chops owner Yoshiyuki Matsumoto has been in business almost 20 years, he said at the restaurant in early June.
He wanted to give Japan a taste of American barbecue, he said, but he also finds it challenging.
“American barbecue is difficult in Japan because it’s new to Japan,” he said.
He prefers to slightly adjust the taste a bit for the Japanese palate, but foreigners also frequent his restaurant.
Matsumoto stays busy at the place daily, he said, and employs friends to help take care of the weekly duties. The meat smoker there works more than 12 hours each day to get the consistency of beef, pork and chicken exactly right.
Smart Click Chops is a smoked barbecue restaurant serving Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
As for the atmosphere, Matsumoto’s do-it-yourself decorating gives the restaurant its American vibe. Bar seating or more comfortable table seating is available for almost 40 people.
The lunch menu is sufficient and available by scanning a QR code at your table. From it, you can place your order.
The tasty and tender-looking beef brisket burger immediately caught my eye. Its chunky, smoked beef, melted cheddar cheese, slice of tomato and chimichurri sauce for a little kick sat comfortably on the toasted buns. It came to 1,980 yen, $12.35, with a side of crispy fries and homemade sauerkraut.
During the lunchtime lull I was the lone diner, so food was delivered swiftly. The choice was an excellent one and I consumed it quickly between conversation with Matsumoto.
A beef brisket burger featured at Smart Click Chops, a smoked barbecue restaurant, in Tokyo’s Shinagawa Ward. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
The dinner menu changes a bit, with items available like the carbonara pasta with thick cut bacon, Moroccan lamb tacos, and other entrées. Takeout is available.
Self-service hot or iced coffee and water from the tap are free. Assorted soft drinks, a host of mostly American craft beers, and other alcoholic choices are offered.
Matsumoto also owns Smart Click Belgian Beer Bar, launched in 2010 in nearby Musashi-Koyama, Shinagawa, and offering a large variety of international beers, wines, and other drinks.
Matsumoto is hoping more Americans come his way to check out his barbecue style.
Smart Click Chops
Address: 3-15-6 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa, Tokyo, 141-0031.
Directions: About a 5-minute walk from Fudomae Station on the Tokyu Meguro line. Paid parking is available in the area.
Hours: Open 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Saturday. Also open late, 6 p.m. to midnight Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Prices: Entrée prices vary depending on selections. Credit cards accepted.
Dress: Casual
Information: Online: instagram.com/chops_beer_bbq
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