If you are someone who believes garlic makes everything better, Tokyo has a restaurant you need to know about. Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo in Shibuya takes the humble bulb and gives it the spotlight, with a menu that features garlic in everything from appetisers and mains to drinks.
Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo In Tokyo: Where Garlic Is The Main Character
Located in Tokyo’s Okushibu neighbourhood, the restaurant is all about celebrating garlic and the different ways it can be used. So, if you usually ask for “extra garlic” with your food, this is one place where you probably will not have to make that request.
The name Nyonnyogo refers to garlic in an old Tsugaru dialect from Aomori Prefecture, a region in Japan known for producing garlic. The restaurant uses Fukuchi White 6 Cloves garlic from Aomori across its menu.
Unlike some varieties that can leave a strong aftertaste, this garlic is known for its milder flavour and sweetness. This allows the restaurant to use plenty of it without completely overpowering the other ingredients in a dish.
And the menu certainly does not hold back!
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What’s On The Menu?
One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is deep-fried whole garlic, where the cloves are slowly cooked until they become soft and creamy on the inside. It is served with a sweet miso dip made with honey and Sendai miso.
There are also garlic fries, garlic cheese, homemade garlic shumai, garlic gnocchi and seasonal fish carpaccio served with homemade garlic sauces. If you are looking for something more filling, there is also meat garlic steak.
But perhaps the most interesting part is that the garlic theme does not stop with the food. Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo also experiments with garlic-infused cocktails. One of its unusual creations is a lemon sour made with garlic-infused vodka, white rum and white wine, with even the lemon carrying a hint of garlic.
Not ready to take your garlic obsession quite that far? There are plenty of regular drinks on the menu too, including Japanese wines, craft beers and cocktails.
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Save Room For Dessert!
Another dish worth looking out for is the restaurant’s clay-pot garlic rice, which can come topped with salmon roe, salmon yukhoe, egg yolk and crunchy lotus root. There is also a garlic-heavy peperoncino for those who want to keep things simple but flavourful.
The restaurant offers garlic-focused set menus too, making it possible to try several dishes in one sitting.
And if you thought the garlic experiments stopped at savoury dishes, think again. Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo also serves garlic ice cream, giving the classic dessert an unusual twist. The creamy, sweet treat comes with a subtle garlic flavour, making it one of the more unexpected things to try on the menu.
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So, if you are planning a Tokyo trip and want to go beyond the usual sushi and ramen stops, Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo could be an interesting addition to your food trail.
P.S. – Just remember to carry some mints for later!
Cover Image Courtesy: Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo & Instagram/itsgracechin
FAQs
What kind of food is served at Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo?
The menu includes garlic-infused dishes such as garlic gnocchi, garlic shumai, garlic fries, garlic steak, garlic rice and whole fried garlic.
Does Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo serve garlic ice cream?
Yes. The restaurant also has garlic ice cream on its menu, offering a rather unusual take on the classic dessert.
Is Garlic Bar Nyonnyogo worth visiting for travellers?
For travellers who enjoy trying unusual food experiences, the restaurant offers a different side of Tokyo’s food scene, with garlic appearing in everything from appetisers and mains to cocktails and dessert.
