We had mentaiko mochi cheese monjayaki at Ponpoko Honpo, a teppan restaurant in Minamikase: closing in spring 2027

A teppanyaki spot by the Minamikase crossing

Drive along Shiote-Kurokawa Street and, right by the Minamikase intersection, you'll find "Kono Teppan da to Umai ga 9-wari no Mise Ponpoko Honpo" — roughly, "the shop where 90% is tasty on this griddle." The name is long, and the griddle menu is just as big.

According to the official website, the owner has gone to okonomiyaki restaurants since childhood and has cooked his own for more than 25 years, calling himself an "okonomiyaki fanatic." He opened the shop so people could enjoy cooking for themselves. There are more than 35 kinds of okonomiyaki and monjayaki, and 18 toppings.

Seats lined with tanuki figurines, a nod to the shop's name

Mentaiko mochi cheese monja, ¥1,858

We visited in August 2026 and ordered four dishes.

First, the mentaiko mochi cheese monja (¥1,858): stretchy melted cheese and mochi with the pop of spicy cod roe — a classic combination. The official site explains that the shop serves its monja with the ingredients and the broth in separate bowls, so steam doesn't burn you when you put the ingredients on the griddle, and it's easy even for first-timers.

First, build a ring with the ingredients

Pour the broth into the ring and let it bubble

The mix (¥1,607) is okonomiyaki packed with pork, shrimp and squid. It came out fluffy, full of flavor from the fillings. The batter is based on a broth of Hokkaido kombu and coarsely crushed bonito flakes, and the shop says it turns out fluffy even when cooked with children.

The mix, packed with fillings

The squid guts foil grill is a snack with a rich flavor that goes well with drinks.

Squid guts foil grill

The scallops were a perk for adding the shop as a LINE friend, grilled until fragrant on the griddle.

Scallops, a LINE friend perk

Sitting around a sizzling griddle and cooking as you eat is always fun.

Steak and other griddle dishes

A few items from the official menu (prices include tax):

Item	Price
Wagyu marbled sirloin steak	from ¥2,728
Lean wagyu pepper steak	from ¥2,046
Crispy salted cabbage	¥472
Tonpeiyaki (pork omelet)	¥944
Sweet bean crêpe roll with vanilla ice cream	¥823

The steak is a "fire steak," flambéed with brandy at the end. It's a showpiece with big flames, and the official site even invites you to film it on your phone.

Kids and large groups

According to the FAQ on the official site:

• There are children's forks and spoons, a baby bed (1), high chairs (5), and a diaper changing table in the women's restroom.
• The 2nd-floor tables can be reached by elevator with a wheelchair or stroller (some seats are tight, so booking is recommended).
• All seats are non-smoking.
• It seats about 32 people, and groups of 25 adults or more can book the whole place.

Planned to close around spring 2027

In a notice sent to members on the shop's official LINE account on September 25, 2026, the shop said it plans to close in spring 2027 (around February or March). The LINE membership program (including the point card) ends within 2026.

As of October 13, 2026, the notice is not yet on the official website. If you want to use LINE perks like the scallops we had, go before the end of the year.

Hours and directions

According to the shop information on the official site, it is open 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (last order 1:30 p.m.) and 5:00–10:00 p.m. (last order 9:00 p.m.). It is closed on the 3rd Monday of each month, even if it is a holiday, and sometimes on other days.

Some parts of the official site list a 9 p.m. closing time in the evening, so it's safest to call (044-201-9132, Japanese) before going at night.

• Address: 2F–3F, 2-36-13 Minamikase, Saiwai Ward
• Train: about 25 minutes' walk from JR Shin-Kawasaki Station
• Car: 4 parking spaces on the ground floor. The official site says that in the evening (from 5 p.m.) it deducts nearby coin parking fees (1 car, up to 2 hours) from your bill. Bring the parking receipt (cannot be combined with coupons).