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!
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Sanrio amusement park in Tokyo to host Psycho Game horror event this summer[Video]
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Japanese sweets souvenirs don’t get more beautiful than this
Japanese film studio Toei announces first three video games from newly created Toei Games
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Cosmetic wizardry: Asian women removing makeup to reveal their true selves goes viral【Video】
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
What’s up with the “mosquito buzz” noise at Shibuya Station?
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Japan is so hungry for workers it used up its five-year visa quota in record time
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
7-Eleven Japan releases Uji matcha smoothies… but only at select locations
7-Eleven Japan’s cooked-in-store takoyaki is here! How does it fare against the street food king?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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”