Bikkuri Donkey

The dish comes on a round wooden platter, with a plump, freshly grilled hamburg steak served alongside rice and salad. A classic choice is the Cheese Hamburg Steak Dish: melted cheese spreads across the patty in a cross, while a soy-sauce-flavoured sauce mingles with the white rice for a hearty, satisfying plate. Toppings let you tailor the dish to your mood: the Egg Hamburg Steak Dish comes with a soft-fried egg to break into the sauce, while the grated-daikon-and-shiso version offers a fresher finish.

There is plenty beyond the main platter, too, with side dishes that bring variety to the table. Thick-cut Bikkuri French Fries are served fluffy inside, while the Broccoli Ark is grilled until fragrant; both make easy dishes to share. For something sweet or a drink, there is a generously sized strawberry milk with fruit sauce settled at the bottom, as well as Hokkaido Mini Soft Serve for a small after-meal treat.

The restaurant is in the basement of a building along Ikebukuro Sunshine Street. Inside, there are plenty of seats, including booth seating suited to a relaxed meal. Breakfast is served from 8am, with toast sets and a smaller Minimum Regular Hamburg Steak Dish among the choices. Hot coffee refills are available until 11am, a useful touch for an early start. Ordering is available by touchscreen, and the substantial dishes make it easy to stop in for a filling meal between a film and a shopping trip.