A 24-Hour Korean BBQ in Shin-Okubo – Jinsei Sakaba

Published on 2023-07-03

Renowned for its authentic and home-cooking style Korean dishes, it is no wonder that Jinsei Sakaba has become a go-to place for many people visiting the Shin-Okubo area. A short five minute walk from Shin-Okubo station will lead you to this vibrant food spot. This restaurant stands out from the others on the street, as the traditional wooden details and brightly coloured lanterns which cover the outside, make you feel like you have been transported to a completely different world. It truly is a sight to behold, especially at night.

The Atmosphere: A Non-Stop Party!

As soon as you step inside you’ll notice how this restaurant adopts a cosy, homely, but fun atmosphere. The downstairs area is filled with a few larger tables, whereas the upstairs is filled with a mix of both tables and bunk-style seating, like the ones seen in the photo. With the bunk-style seating, you will need to be prepared to sit in a slightly more confined space and on the floor, however, doing this enhances the authentic Korean dining experience.

K-Pop is constantly being played in the background, with there being a mix of classic 1st generation K-Pop songs as well as more current and chart favourites. The mood is lively and vibrant, as many people come here in a group with friends to drink the night away and enjoy themselves.

One of the cool things about this restaurant is the fact that it is open 24 hours, meaning it is a great late night dinner spot and a place to grab a bite to eat after a long night out. Though it is worth noting that it can get quite busy at times, especially around 6pm to 9pm, so it is advised to make a reservation in advance. You can do this via the website.

An Extensive Menu With Over 100 Dishes

There is definitely no shortage of choice in terms of food and drink. With there being over 100 different dishes to try, you could easily spend time just flicking through the menu. From favourites such as bulgogi, jjigae, hot pot, and bibimbap, to vegetable, meat, and seafood dishes, there are so many different flavours to savor. Surprisingly, there is also quite a bit of choice for those who are vegetarian, with many of the Korean pancakes being just filled with vegetables and no meat. It is highly recommended to order one of the traditional pancakes (Buchimgae) to eat and a Korean makgeolli to drink, as these are the two things that Jinsei Sakaba specialises in.

Food dishes start from around ¥1000 and go up to around ¥3500. If you are in a small group of three to four people, we recommend ordering around 4 to 5 dishes as the portion sizes are quite large. When visiting with one friend, we ordered four dishes and it was too much food, so we were sadly unable to finish it all.

In terms of ordering, you just need to use the iPad on your table. This makes it quick and less daunting for those who worry slightly about language barriers, adding another reason to why this restaurant is a great option to come and eat in. That said, a lot of the food and drinks options do come up in Japanese on the virtual menu so it could be useful to have Google Translate at hand!

For payment, Jinsei Sakaba accepts cash, card, and various forms of electronic payment. You just need to finalise your order on the iPad and then head to the main desk to pay.

Enjoy From The Comfort Of Your Home

If you don’t fancy going out to the restaurant itself and would prefer a chill night in, you are in luck as Jinsei Sakaba offers a takeaway option as well. You can order off UberEats, Demaecan and soon, FoodPanda. Alternatively, you can just call to make your order and then pick it up without having to wait.