The mix of 11 herbs and spices only gets better with the addition of 17 kinds of beer.
With the campus of not only the prestigious Waseda University nearby but also several specialized schools, Tokyo’s Takadanobaba neighborhood has just about the highest concentration of students that you’ll find in the city. As such, the neighborhood is packed with places to get quick, filling meals and places to get liquored up, which brings us to this very unique branch of KFC.
The Takadanobaba branch of Kentucky Fried Chicken was recently renovated, with its grand reopening coming last Friday. Among other things, it’s now got a stylish new exterior and interior.
Look closely, and you’ll see that next to the door is an announcement that it’s a cafe and bar, and that’s the truth. After 5 p.m., this KFC starts selling alcohol!
It’s not like they just keep a couple cans of Asahi chilling in the refrigerator, either. No fewer than 17 beers are on offer, including a selection of Japanese regional craft brews. You can even ask the staff to whip you up a cocktail, such as the highball-like Colonel’s Hi, made with Suntory whiskey and priced at 460 yen (US$4.10).
This being KFC, of course there’s a steady supply of fried chicken flowing from the kitchen.
But the menu isn’t afraid to also get a little fancier than plain old Original Recipe. For example, there’s also chicken cordon blue ratatouille (680 yen)…
…smoked chicken pepperoncino pasta (700 yen)…
…and snacks such as this mixed olive plate (380 yen)…
…all of which provided great accompaniment to our multiple rounds of drinks.
Right now, this is the only KFC in Japan that serves alcohol, and is well worth a visit if you’re looking for another place to combine your love of alcoholic beverages and comforting fast food.
Restaurant information
Kentucky Fried Chicken (Takadanobaba branch) / ケンタッキーフライドチキン（高田馬場店）
Address: Tokyo-to, Shinjuku-ku, Takadanobaba 1-28-10
住所 東京都新宿区高田馬場1-28-10
Open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday
Website
Follow Casey on Twitter for more places to drink in Japan.
Images ©RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Kentucky Fried Chicken has all-you-can-drink beer in Tokyo for less than 10 bucks
KFC Japan develops new fried chicken designed to taste great with beer, other alcoholic drinks
We try the sweets, soups, pastas, and fried chicken of KFC’s all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant
KFC will straight-up sell you a bag of fried chicken skin in Indonesia
KFC Japan goes beyond its all-you-can-eat deals and is now offering free fried chicken!
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki is still drawing…and walking in his Vans
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Fabulous new designer wedding dresses will give you the high-fashion wedding of your dreams
Japanese man gets drunk and falls asleep on Tokyo streets, then gets robbed by foreign national
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
We try some of Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Kentucky Fried Fish
There’s a permanent all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink KFC restaurant opening in Tokyo
KFC Genshin Impact fried chicken combo meals now on sale in Japan
Spicy Mexican Flavor added to KFC Japan’s fried chicken lineup
KFC Japan offering all-you-can eat fried chicken every Friday for the rest of summer!
KFC offering all-you-can-eat fried chicken in Japan every Wednesday starting in mid-summer!
KFC Japan celebrates Colonel’s birthday with all-you-can-eat fried chicken, free for some kids
All-you-can-eat-fried chicken coming to KFC Japan just in time for the 4th of July
KFC Japan cooking up new yuzu Japanese citrus katsu sandwiches for summer
Kentucky fried rice bowl – KFC’s Kentadon expands throughout east Japan
Kentucky Fried Chicken set to open all-you-can eat buffet restaurant in Japan
【Meat+Rice+Meat】We Try KFC’s Bunless Chicken Rice Sandwich… And It’s AWESOME!
Kentucky Fried Chicken installs fried chicken pick-up lockers in Tokyo, two other cities【Video】
Harvester Yakumo: A restaurant inspired by the Colonel from KFC
This Kentucky Fried Chicken Day we investigate the rumored “custom ordering”