Densetsu No Sutadon'ya

The すた丼 is a bowl of freshly cooked white rice covered with pork belly, fragrant with strong garlic and the rich savoriness of soy sauce. The signature bowl at 伝説のすた丼屋 is built for a hearty appetite: even the regular serving comes with about three bowls’ worth of rice. A raw egg and miso soup come with it. You can start with the meat and rice as they are, coated in the rich sauce, then crack the egg over the bowl for a milder finish or beat it separately and dip the meat into it—there is room to find your own pace. Grated garlic, tōbanjan chilli bean paste and vinegar at the table let you adjust the flavour as you go, in a meal often enjoyed with gusto right to the last bite.

Beyond the classic bowl, the menu offers a range of ways to change things up. The 唐揚げ合盛りすた丼 pairs the bowl with marinated fried chicken for two flavours in one meal, while the 塩すた丼 combines a special salt sauce with grated yam. Together, these options give the meat a different emphasis. Toppings such as extra spring onion, cheese and kimchi add further choices. The wider line-up also includes fried rice cooked over high heat, curry topped with pork in garlic-soy sauce, and abura soba—a soupless noodle dish—so there are substantial options with either rice or noodles.

The Akihabara branch is in Sotokanda 3-chome, and the ordering routine starts at the ticket machine outside: buy a meal ticket before going in. The first floor is mainly counter seating suited to a quick meal, with additional seats on the second floor up the stairs. Side options include fried-chicken and cabbage sets, useful choices when you want a more substantial meal to match your appetite.