Foodies Asia (en)For "foodies" who are particular about food.

 

One of the few restaurants in Japan that serves Tetsunabe Dun, a home-cooked dish from China’s Northeastern region.

It’s one of the leading Chinese restaurants in the latest Chinatown, representing Nishikawaguchi, Saitama.

Ave. Budget: Lunch 1,000-2,000 JPY, Dinner 3,000-5,000 JPY

Book on Tabelog (Japanese)

Check information on Tabelog (English)

 

 

Little China in Nishikawaguchi Station West Exit Area

t’s been a while since Nishikawaguchi Station’s west exit area embraced a “Little China” atmosphere. This time, I had a specific craving for authentic Northeastern Chinese home-cooked cuisine, especially the hearty iron pot dishes.

I vividly remembered the incredible flavors of iron pot dishes from my previous visit to “Ajibou Tetsunabe Sou” in Tokyo’s Nezu neighborhood. Ever since then, I’ve been yearning to relish those flavors again.

Fortunately, a friend well-versed in Chinese cuisine shared the exciting news that there’s a place in Nishikawaguchi where you can savor an even more authentic iron pot experience. According to my friend, while “Ajibou Tetsunabe Sou” offers a somewhat refined and Japanized version of the dish, “Tengji Tetsunabe Dun” provides the unadulterated taste of the original.

Naturally, I couldn’t resist the temptation to visit this place.

 

Discovering Tengji Tetsunabe Dun

Exiting from the west gate of Nishikawaguchi Station, I walked a bit further down the street past the popular “Eikichi” restaurant known for its tantanmen noodles. There, the conspicuous signboard of “Tengji Tetsunabe Dun” caught my eye.

As I descended into the underground establishment, the atmosphere transformed completely.

It felt like I had left Japan behind and stepped into a foreign land, which is quite a precious experience considering the current difficulty of international travel.

 

Northeastern Chinese Traditional Home-Cooked Iron Pot Cuisine

One notable feature, or perhaps challenge, was the limited presence of staff who spoke Japanese. However, this wasn’t a concern at all because each table was equipped with a QR code that allowed you to access the menu via your smartphone.

Despite the language barrier, ordering became an enjoyable experience. My friend and I made use of gestures and some basic Japanese phrases to ask for recommendations. The overwhelming variety on the menu left us a bit bewildered, but it only added to the sense of adventure.

If it’s your first visit and you want to play it safe, you can go with the “Northeastern Farmhouse Iron Pot” (¥6,580), which includes ingredients like pork, green beans, glutinous corn, pumpkin, potatoes, and corn noodles—a quintessential dish from the region.

However, I was in the mood for meat, so I opted for the “Assorted Pork Parts Iron Pot” (¥6,580), featuring various cuts of pork—a specialty of Northeastern Chinese cuisine.

We kicked off the meal with a toast using Tsingtao beer, setting the stage for the culinary adventure.

Soon after, the ingredients for the iron pot arrived at our table, and they were massive—enough to serve 3-4 people. Realizing we couldn’t finish it all, we decided to take the leftovers home.

The iron pot, heated over an open flame right at our table, made for a visually spectacular presentation.

Ingredients were generously poured into the pot, followed by the soup, creating a delightful spectacle.

While some might describe it as “chaotic,” it perfectly embodied the spirit of homemade comfort food.

After adding some leafy greens and covering the pot, it was time to wait.

The result was a fragrant and hearty dish that looked as enticing as it smelled.

One notable element of the dish was the massive joint of pork leg, which oozed a rich broth—an unmistakable pork bone soup. Despite its exotic nature, the dish had a comforting, nostalgic quality, akin to a hot pot enjoyed during a family gathering or a friendly get-together.

The menu featured a passage explaining the significance of iron pot cuisine in Northeastern Chinese culture, which I found quite intriguing:

＜Tengji Tetsunabe Dun≫
The iron pot is not just a cooking tool; it’s also a dining vessel. In Northeastern China, people cherish gatherings with friends and family around a hot iron pot. They pour the soup, add ingredients, and as they wait, the aroma of the delicious broth fills the air. Amid the heat of the stove and the iron pot’s warmth, they don’t mind the steam rising around them. It’s not just about enjoying a delicious meal but also reliving wonderful memories from their childhood.

 

A Wide Range of Side Dishes

Aside from the main iron pot dishes, “Tengji Tetsunabe Dun” also boasts a diverse selection of side dishes. With more than 50 items to choose from, it’s a place where you’ll want to explore the various options.

Here are a few side dishes I tried:

 

“Dried Tofu and Green Chili Stir-Fry“

Dried tofu in a typical Chinese style.v

 

“Grilled Pork Skin“

A unique dish, as finding pork skin with the fat layer still attached can be quite rare in Japan.

 

“Mushroom Stir-Fry”

While I expected exotic mushrooms, it turned out to be Enoki mushrooms. However, the sauce was absolutely delicious.

With such a wide array of one-dish options, this place is perfect for those who want to enjoy a variety of dishes while sipping on their preferred beverage. I also noticed that some regulars were there just for the side dishes, not the iron pot.

Intriguingly, they also offered ingredients for sale, so you could recreate the experience at home if you wished.

 

 

 

 

Menu

【Iron Pot Stews】

• Goose and Napa Cabbage Pickled Stew (One Goose) – ¥16,800
• Large Goose Stew with Sauerkraut (Limited Winter Season) – ¥11,880
• Soy Sauce Braised Lamb Meat Stew (Medium Spicy) – ¥9,580
• Northeastern Farmhouse Stew – ¥6,580
• Shanxi Beef Tendon Stew (Medium Spicy) – ¥7,580
• Farm-Dried Vegetable Stew – ¥7,580
• Duck Spare Rib Stew (Spicy) – ¥7,580
• Special Spare Rib Stew – ¥6,580
• Chicken and Mushroom Stew – ¥6,580
• Various Parts of Pork Stew (Specialty of Northern China) – ¥6,580
• Live Carp Umami Stew – ¥6,580
• Shanxi Live Carp Stew (Spicy) – ¥6,880

 

【Grilled Dishes】

• Grilled Lamb Meat Skewer – ¥150
• Grilled Beef Skewer – ¥150
• Grilled Live Pearl Scallop Skewer – ¥580
• Grilled Lamb Kidney – ¥380
• Grilled Beef Whip – ¥200
• Five-Spice Live Pearl Scallop (3 pieces) – ¥680
• Grilled Real Eggplant Skewer – ¥150
• Pig Ear Skewer (3 pieces) – ¥450
• Pork Skin Skewer (3 pieces) – ¥450
• Pork Tongue Skewer (3 pieces) – ¥450
• Pork Elbow Skewer (3 pieces) – ¥450
• Grilled Chicken Head – ¥150
• Grilled Eggplant – ¥680
• Grilled Pork Trotter – ¥280
• Grilled Napa Cabbage Pickles – ¥680
• Grilled Mushrooms – ¥680
• Grilled Ham Sausage – ¥380
• Grilled Sausage – ¥350
• Grilled Corn – ¥380
• Grilled Silkworm Chrysalis – ¥280
• Grilled Tofu Roll – ¥150
• Grilled Wood Ear Mushrooms – ¥280
• Grilled Corn Steamed Bun – ¥200

 

【Seasoned Dishes】

• Duck Salted Egg (1 piece) – ¥100
• Garlic Pickles – ¥380
• Fried Peanuts – ¥580
• Garlic Pickled Nuts – ¥580
• Cucumber and Garlic Salad – ¥580
• Chopped Salad – ¥680
• Celery and Yuba Salad – ¥580
• Dried Tofu Salad – ¥780
• Celery and Peanut Salad – ¥680
• Garlic-Seasoned Kombu – ¥680
• Wood Ear Mushroom Salad – ¥680
• Pork Ear and Cucumber Salad – ¥780
• Julienned Potato Salad – ¥780
• Pork Head Meat and Cucumber Salad – ¥780
• Green Chili Pepper and Cilantro Salad – ¥780
• Miso-Dipped Fresh Vegetables – ¥880
• Spicy Beef Tendon Salad – ¥980
• Boneless Chicken Feet – ¥980
• Warabi Fern Salad – ¥880
• Spinach and Peanut Salad with Black Vinegar – ¥880
• Cabbage and Jellyfish Salad – ¥880
• Vinegar Cucumber and Wood Ear Mushroom Salad – ¥980
• Northeastern Specialty Salad – ¥980
• Cucumber and Pork Belly with Water Chestnuts – ¥980
• Northeastern Salad – ¥980
• Chinese-Style Appetizers – ¥1,080
• Scallion Pancake with Beef – ¥1,180
• Pork Blood Sausage with Garlic Sauce – ¥1,580

 

【House-Smoked Dishes】

• Smoked Dried Tofu – ¥380
• Smoked Chicken Feet with Special Soy Sauce – ¥580
• Homemade Smoked Codfish – ¥580
• Pork Tongue – ¥680
• Pork Tail with Special Soy Sauce – ¥680
• Pork Head Meat with Soy Sauce – ¥780
• Pork Ear with Special Soy Sauce – ¥680
• Pork Trotters in Soy Sauce – ¥780
• Pig Elbow Flower – ¥980
• Pork Snout with Special Soy Sauce – ¥980
• Thin Slices of Beef with Special Soy Sauce – ¥1,080
• Sausage – ¥1,080
• Whole Smoked Chicken – ¥1,300
• Assorted Special Soy Sauce Stews – ¥1,580

 

【Stir-Fried Dishes】

• Sautéed Carp – ¥3,880
• Northeastern-Style Sweet and Sour Pork – ¥1,180
• Pine Nut and Corn Stir-Fry – ¥880
• Shrimp and Cucumber Stir-Fry – ¥880
• Fried Vegetable Dumplings – ¥880
• Smoked Tofu and Green Chili Pepper Stir-Fry – ¥780
• Celery and Bean Vermicelli Stir-Fry – ¥780
• Braised Pork Belly and String Beans – ¥980
• Braised Eggplant – ¥980
• Spicy Stir-Fried Scallop with Japanese Pepper – ¥1,280
• Spicy Beef Tendon Stir-Fry – ¥1,480
• Stir-Fried String Beans – ¥1,080
• Sugar-Preserved Sweet Potatoes – ¥880
• Pepper and Salt Shrimp – ¥1,480
• Stir-Fried Silkworm Chrysalis – ¥1,180
• Stir-Fried Pork Loin with Cilantro – ¥1,180
• Fried Fish – ¥880
• Braised Beef Tendon and Potatoes – ¥1,080
• Mapo Tofu – ¥1,180
• Three Kinds of Stir-Fried Pork – ¥980
• Three Fresh Delicacies – ¥880
• Thinly Sliced Pork Miso Stir-Fry – ¥880
• Green Bell Pepper and Pork Stir-Fry – ¥880
• Pickled Cabbage and Bean Vermicelli Stir-Fry – ¥880
• Fish-Fragrant Pork Threads – ¥980
• Stir-Fried Lamb and Green Onions – ¥1,280
• Pumpkin and Egg Pancake – ¥880
• Spicy Stir-Fried Pork Esophagus – ¥980
• Hormone Stir-Fry – ¥980
• Spicy Beef Heart Stir-Fry – ¥1,180
• Hot and Sour Soup – ¥780
• Seaweed and Egg Soup – ¥680
• Tomato and Egg Soup – ¥680
• Steamed Egg Custard with Minced Pork – ¥780

 

【Main Dish 1】

• Homemade Flower Steamed Buns (Each) – ¥150
• Corn Steamed Buns (Each) – ¥150
• Steamed Buns with Pickled Cabbage (Each) – ¥300
• Glutinous Rice with Barley – ¥380
• Corn Congee – ¥280
• Rice – ¥200

 

【Main Dish 2】

• Golden Mini Steamed Buns (5 pieces) – ¥480
• Fried Rice – ¥680
• Sesame Dumplings (5 pieces) – ¥580
• Cold Noodles – ¥980
• Leek and Pork Water Dumplings (12 pieces) – ¥880
• Chinese Cabbage and Pork Water Dumplings (12 pieces) – ¥880
• Cabbage and Pork Water Dumplings (12 pieces) – ¥880
• Celery and Pork Water Dumplings (12 pieces) – ¥880
• Homemade Sui Tang Soup – ¥780
• Corn Soup – ¥580

【Main Dish 3】

• Northeastern Chinese Daifuku (6 pieces) – ¥680
• Green Onion Oil Cake – ¥300
• Mochi Dumplings (6 pieces) – ¥680
• Leek and Egg Chinese-Style Oyaki – ¥580
• Steamed Corn – ¥380

 

【Desserts】

• Mango Pudding – ¥380
• Almond Tofu – ¥380

 

*The menu and prices are provided for reference only. Please keep in mind that they may change depending on the season and the availability of ingredients.

 

 

How to make a reservation

Reservations can be made by phone or through Tabelog.

Book on Tabelog (Japanese)

 

 

Map/Access

Approximately a 3-minute walk from the west exit of JR Keihin-Tohoku Line’s “Nishikawaguchi Station.”

 

 

 

 

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