Tucked away in a quiet alley of Tokyo’s Kagurazaka neighborhood, “Hajime no Ippo” is a rare garlic specialty restaurant in Japan.
From the signature whole fried garlic to appetizers, desserts, and even drinks, every dish highlights the rich flavor of garlic in unique and creative ways.
In this article, we’ll explore why garlic lovers can’t get enough of this hidden gem, featuring must-try menu items, access and reservation details, and real customer reviews.
What Is “Hajime no Ippo,” Kagurazaka’s Hidden Garlic Haven?
A Unique Restaurant Specializing in Garlic Cuisine
“Hajime no Ippo” is a rare garlic-focused restaurant located in Kagurazaka, Tokyo. It’s famous among garlic lovers for offering dishes that feature garlic in everything—from appetizers and main dishes to desserts and drinks. The restaurant uses high-quality garlic, especially the premium “Fukuchi White Six Clove” variety from Aomori Prefecture, to create a wide variety of flavorful menu items.
A Cozy, House-Like Restaurant Tucked Away in a Quiet Alley
Just a short walk from the bustling streets of Kagurazaka, “Hajime no Ippo” quietly stands in a peaceful alleyway. I visited on a Monday evening, and to my surprise, the restaurant was already packed! There were about four groups at the tables and six counter seats—all filled, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere inside.
The Decor Is All About Garlic!
From garlic-themed decorations on the door to posters and other garlic-related items inside, the entire space is filled with garlic charm! It was fun just looking around—the garlic touches are everywhere and make the experience even more memorable.
Popular Dishes at “Hajime no Ippo”
Signature Dish: Whole Fried Garlic
The restaurant’s most iconic dish is the “Whole Fried Garlic.” Large bulbs of garlic are slowly deep-fried until the outside is crispy and the inside is soft and fluffy. You can enjoy it with three flavorful seasonings: salt with sesame oil, miso, and shichimi spice.
Garlic Brings Out the Best in Seafood and Meat
Dishes like “Garlic Mayo-Grilled Scallops in the Shell” and the “Premium U.S. Garlic Harami Steak” showcase how garlic can enhance the natural umami of both seafood and meat. The flavor balance is outstanding.
There’s Garlic Dessert Too
Even after your meal, garlic makes a surprise comeback. Try the unique “Garlic Ice Cream,” which offers a surprisingly harmonious blend of subtle garlic aroma and gentle sweetness. It’s the perfect end to a bold dining experience.
A Full Garlic Experience
Perfect for First-Timers: The “Ippo Course”
If it’s your first visit, we recommend trying the “Ippo Course” (¥4,980 including tax). This 9-dish set includes appetizers, side dishes, seafood, meat, pasta or rice, and dessert—allowing you to enjoy the full range of garlic flavors in a well-balanced progression.
Don’t Miss the Seasonal Specials
When I visited, they were offering seasonal ingredients like spring mountain vegetables. This restaurant’s ability to pair fresh, seasonal produce with garlic is part of what makes it so special.
Garlic-Infused Drinks, Too!
Garlic Cocktails
They also have a wide selection of garlic-based drinks!
Garlic Lemon Sour
A refreshing lemon sour with the rich depth of garlic. It’s perfectly balanced and highly recommended as your first drink of the night.
Garlic Lemon Sparkling
Fresh lemon, garlic, and sparkling soda come together for a crisp and refreshing cocktail. Easy to drink—and seriously addictive.
Garlic Lime
Made with garlic-infused liquor, this cocktail blends lime and soda for a smooth, drinkable finish. The pairing of garlic and lime is unexpectedly perfect, and the subtle garlic aroma that lingers afterward will keep you coming back for more!
Garlic Soft Drinks
Garlic Lemon Squash
If you’re not into alcohol, try the garlic-scented lemon soda! I ordered this one, and it was surprisingly aromatic—definitely a fun and unique drink.
Here’s What We Actually Ate
We Ordered the “Ippo Course” (¥4,980 per person)
We wanted to enjoy a variety of dishes in a well-balanced way, so we went with the course menu. Since there were two of us, the portions shown are for two people.
Garlic Lemon Squash
Since I’m not much of a drinker, I chose one of their garlic soft drinks instead. As mentioned earlier, it was a fun and surprising beverage!
Garlic Toast
The meal started with a big slice of garlic toast. The crispy baguette soaked in rich garlic oil burst with flavor the moment I took a bite.
Tuna Carpaccio
Thick slices of lightly seared tuna paired perfectly with a tomato and garlic-based sauce. It was especially delicious when eaten with the thinly sliced garlic on top!
Whole Fried Garlic
This dish definitely made a visual impact! It was especially tasty when dipped in the miso sauce.
Firefly Squid & New Potato Aglio e Olio
The tender firefly squid and fluffy new potatoes made a great combination. It was topped with crispy garlic chips for extra flavor and crunch.
Premium US Garlic Harami Steak
This dish can be added to your course for an extra 1,500 yen. The harami steak was incredibly tender and flavorful! It was a bit salty for my taste, but still very delicious.
Sakura Shrimp and Nanohana Peperoncino
A seasonal dish. The garlic flavor really stood out, yet it was light and refreshing—so tasty I felt like I could eat it endlessly.
Garlic Ice Cream
Even the dessert featured garlic! Surprisingly, garlic and vanilla ice cream go quite well together. The garlic topping had a soft, chestnut-like texture that was delightful.
Apple Juice
I forgot to take a photo… We finished off the meal with a glass of apple juice. It had a refreshing taste and seemed to cleanse the garlic flavor from my mouth!
Reservations, Access & Basic Information
How to Get There
The restaurant is located in a quiet area just off Kagurazaka Street. It’s about a 5-minute walk from JR Iidabashi Station (West Exit) and just 3 minutes from the Tokyo Metro Iidabashi Station (Exit B3).
How to Reserve & Best Times to Visit
Since it’s a popular spot, reservations are highly recommended. Friday and Saturday evenings around 7:00 p.m. tend to be crowded, so booking for an earlier time or on a weekday is your best bet.
Seating, Hours & Payment
The restaurant has around 20 seats, including both counter and table seating. It’s open year-round except during the New Year holidays. Payments can be made in cash or via PayPay.