Monja Taro

Monja Taro is located on "Tsukishima Monja Street" in Tsukishima area of Chuo-ku, Tokyo. It is a Monja-yaki specialty restaurant, open since 1992. A Monja-yaki restaurant, inspired by Monja Taro, is depicted in the popular cartoon named "Sangatsu-no-lion"(Lion in March; written by Chika Umino/Hakusensha) taking up the theme of Shogi (Japanese chess).  Many fans of the original work and animation visit this place as one of their pilgrimage spots. In the restaurant, there are posters and signatures of voice actors in the animation. It is a kind of irresistible space for the fans. Their specialty menus are "Taro Monja" bearing the name of the restaurant, "Jiro Monja" and "Hanako Monja". "Taro Monja" uses a lot of Kakuni(stew of cubed meat) made by a popular ham shop in Tokyo. The ham shop has kept the relationship with Monja Taro for 20 years and makes Kakuni only for them. Main ingredient of Taro Monja is meat, on the other hand, Jiro Monja uses seafood such as scallops, raw squid and shrimps. Hanako Monja has the topping of cheese, corn, tuna flakes, and mountain products such as Shimeji and Enoki mushroom. There are usually 30 and more kinds of Monja available, and you can also make your own original Monja by adding your favorite topping.
※Tsukishima Monja Street is under redevelopment as of November, 2019. Monja Taro is now operating in a temporary store.  The pictures and address described here are of this temporary store.