
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
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Images ©RocketNews24
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