Sweet & Spicy! Delicious and spicy Korean cuisine!

  • October 23, 2026

Sweet and spicy Korean dishes like Yangnyeom Chicken and Cheese Dakgalbi are incredibly popular in Japan! Here are some restaurants where you can enjoy addictive spicy cuisine without even having to go to Koreatown.

[Shops introduced in this article]

Korean Home Cooking Tonton

The nearest station is Kita-Senju. Walk through the bar alley on the west side for a while, and when the street starts to end, you'll find subway exit 1, and it's less than 10 seconds from there. The hidden gem feel of the alley is really appealing.
The lunch menu alone offers roughly 30 different options. Each comes with a salad and three side dishes, and rice dishes include soup. Even noodle orders come with a free small portion of rice. This popular Korean restaurant is always bustling with customers during lunchtime, and has many repeat customers.
Cheese dakgalbi is a classic sweet and spicy dish with a perfect balance of vegetable flavor, rich sauce, and the creaminess of cheese. In the evening, it's available in small (1-2 servings) and large (3-4 servings) portions, perfect for sharing, but a dakgalbi set meal is also on the menu during lunchtime. You can enjoy this sweet and spicy dish even at lunchtime by adding extra cheese as a topping (200 yen). Reservations are recommended in the evening, as it gets busy with groups and families.

[Small Cheese Dakgalbi (serves 1-2 people) 1,980 yen]
We pride ourselves on our homemade sauce, which is carefully crafted to offer a balance of spiciness, sweetness, and richness. For 3-4 people, we recommend the large size for ¥3,680.

[(From left) Stir-fried octopus 1,580 yen, Tteokbokki 1,180 yen]
This dish features a sweet and spicy flavor based on gochujang (Korean chili paste). The stir-fried octopus, infused with the essence of seafood, is also a popular accompaniment to alcoholic beverages.
For the cheese dakgalbi, we recommend ordering extra tteokbokki to fully enjoy the sweet and spicy sauce (5 extra pieces for 180 yen).

[Exterior / Interior]

  • There are also bench-style booth seats, so you can relax even if you're with children.
  • The shop's name, Tonton, comes from "pig, pig, as you might guess," says owner Mr. Kan. The shop is easily recognizable by its pig-dressed chef's mascot.

【Shop information】

■ Korean Home Cooking Tonton
電話：03-5284-7282
Opening hours: 11:00-15:00, 17:00-24:00 (Last order 23:00) / Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays 11:00-24:00 (Last order 23:00)
Closed: No holiday
Seats: 34 seats
Address: 1-33-1 Senju, Adachi-ku
Reservation: Enabled
Take-out: Yes
Barrier-free support: Enabled
Wi-Fi: Enabled
Access: Approximately 8 minutes on foot from the west exit of Kita-Senju Station on the JR Joban Line and other lines.

Authentic Korean cuisine: Yaksudong Gukbap

Ms. Lee, who runs the shop, has been involved in the food and beverage industry for over 10 years, working in restaurants and bento shops, and opened a shop in 2024 where customers can enjoy traditional Korean cuisine. "We use Korean ingredients as much as possible, including seasonings, to provide authentic flavors," says Ms. Lee.
Recommended sweet and spicy dishes include Bibim Naengmyeon, a cold noodle dish with an addictive balance of sweet, spicy, and sour flavors, and Ojingeo Muchim, squid and vegetables tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. Each dish is carefully prepared to achieve a well-balanced and rich flavor. Although not sweet and spicy, Pyodagi Haejangguk and Dakbal, a super spicy stir-fried chicken foot dish, are also popular and have many repeat customers.
Many customers are Koreans who live nearby, and although the menu names are in Korean and written in katakana, there are also Japanese descriptions of the dishes, so there's no need to worry. The menu is almost the same for both lunch and dinner, but the lunch time is the best time to go as it offers great value prices. It seems that more and more people are coming for dinner after trying the lunch menu.

[Ojingeo Muchim 1,650 yen]
A dish that pairs well with alcohol, consisting of boiled squid and vegetables such as daikon radish and cucumber, tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce. Korean soju: Chamisul 1,210 yen, Jinro 1,320 yen.
[Bibim Naengmyeon 1,430 yen]
Cold noodles mixed with a savory and spicy sauce, featuring a pleasant texture from the vegetable toppings. 1,000 yen during lunchtime.
[Pyodagi Haejangguk 1,540 yen]
A soup made by simmering pork backbone with napa cabbage, perilla powder, and spices. The generous amount of napa cabbage and mild spiciness leave a lasting impression. 1,200 yen at lunchtime (includes rice).

[Exterior / Interior]

  • The mirrors plastered all around are the same as those of the previous tenant, but the Korean-style roaster table blends in surprisingly well, creating a modern space.
  • This unique establishment is located on the second floor of a building that primarily houses snack bars and similar establishments. Its unexpected location is sure to be an enjoyable experience.


【Shop information】
■Authentic Korean Cuisine Yaksudong Gukbap

電話：080-7694-3397
Opening hours: 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Last order 2:00 PM), 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM (Last order 10:00 PM)
Closed: Mondays
Seats: 20 seats
Address: 2F, Dai-ni Shinei Building, 1-27-13 Takenotsuka, Adachi-ku
Reservation: Enabled
Take-out: Yes
Barrier-free support: None
Wi-Fi: Enabled
Access: Approximately 5 minutes on foot from the east exit of Takenotsuka Station on the Tobu Skytree Line.

KollaBo Ponte Porta Senju Store

As its name "Collaboration" suggests, this restaurant's concept revolves around a collaboration between 17 renowned Korean restaurants. Only long-established and popular restaurants that have been loved for 20 to 50 years or more are partnered with. The unique style of faithfully reproducing and serving each restaurant's signature dishes, including recipes and cooking techniques, gives it the feel of a select shop for Korean cuisine.
For example, their cheese dakgalbi is a collaboration with the most popular restaurant among the many dakgalbi specialty shops in Chuncheon, South Korea. It's served in the same style as in Korea, stir-fried vigorously on a large griddle. The dakgalbi, whose key ingredient is a secret sauce that has been kept within the family for 60 years, is often seen on social media being enjoyed with gooey, stretchy cheese. The juicy, tender chicken, the crisp texture of the cabbage, the fluffy texture of the sweet potatoes, and the pleasantly chewy tteokbokki all blend together with the rich sauce, making it a dish that you can enjoy without getting tired of it, despite its large size. Ordering grilled rice cooked on the griddle with the leftover sauce to finish off the meal is also a Chuncheon style.

[Yangnyeom Chicken (Mild) 1,628 yen]
Chicken coated in a sweet and spicy seasoning sauce called "yangnyeom." A spicy version is also available, so you can enjoy comparing the two. This recipe is from "Gamaro Gangjeong," the leading maker of dakgangjeong (sweet and spicy fried chicken).

[Cheese Dakgalbi (1 serving) 1,848 yen *Minimum order of 2 servings]
This restaurant recreates the taste of "Chuncheon's Famous Dakgalbi," the most popular dish on Chuncheon's Dakgalbi Street. The harmonious balance of sweet and spicy flavors, bringing out the best in each ingredient, is exceptional. The teppanyaki fried rice, perfect for finishing off the meal, is 660 yen per serving (minimum order of two servings).
[Seafood Tteokbokki 1,628 yen]
This seafood tteokbokki is made using a recipe directly from "Bodulgol Iyagi," a popular street food stall in Itaewon, South Korea, known for its long lines. The rich seafood extract and sweet and spicy sauce make this a truly flavorful dish.

[Exterior / Interior]

  • From the window seats, you can see the platform of Senju-Ohashi Station, allowing you to enjoy a meal while taking in the train view.
  • This restaurant has become popular for allowing customers to enjoy the flavors of famous restaurants all in one place, and currently operates 30 locations.

【Shop information】

■KollaBo Ponte Porta Senju Store
電話：03-6806-2110
Opening hours: 11:00-15:30 (last order 15:00), 17:00-22:00 (last order 21:30), Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays 11:00-23:00 (last order 22:00)
Closed: No holiday
Seats: 80 seats
Address: 1-13 Senju Hashidocho, Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Ponte Porta Senju 2F
Reservation: Enabled
Take-out: Yes
Barrier-free support: Enabled
Wi-Fi: None
Access: Keisei 1 minute walk from the main line Senju-Ōhashi Station
HP:https://kollabo.co.jp/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kollabo5647/

Hanbini Adachi Store / Kamaro Chicken Hanahata Store

This convenience store-style shop offers a wide variety of Korean products, including trendy, Instagrammable sweets, snacks, kimchi, seasonings, and drinks. Beyond food and beverages, they also have a rich selection of kitchen stools and other goods, making the store feel authentically Korean just by browsing the shelves.
What's even better is that you can take out menu items from "Kamaro Chicken," which caused a sensation in its home country of Korea. Kamaro Chicken is the leading brand of dakgangjeong (spicy fried chicken) and continues to expand with multiple locations. Its characteristic feature is the crispy, crunchy texture of the chicken, which can be enjoyed with a variety of sauces, but the most popular is undoubtedly the yangnyeom chicken. It is also recommended to enjoy customizing the original plain chicken or honey butter chicken with the separately sold yangnyeom sauce. There are three sizes: mini (6 pieces), half size (12 pieces), and full size (18 pieces). The side menu is also extensive and sure to tempt you.

[Yangnyeom and Honey Butter Mini & Mini: 1,680 yen]
Mini & Mini lets you choose two types of mini-sized treats (6 pieces each). The Yangnyeom and Honey Butter combination is the most popular. It's a better deal than buying them individually.
[Vegetable sushi roll 650 yen, Yangnyeom sauce 200 yen]
The staff said, "The vegetable sushi rolls are delicious on their own, but we also recommend trying them with the gochujang sauce to enjoy the sweet and spicy flavor."
While the sauces are different from those used for takeout food, there is a wide variety of products available that allow you to enjoy sweet and spicy gourmet food at home, including Yangnyeom Chicken Sauce and easy-to-cook Tteokbokki.

[Exterior / Interior]]

  • The store offers not only Korean food products but also a wide variety of kitchenware. They also have many unusual seasonings, and apparently, many customers spend a considerable amount of time browsing.
  • Located near Hanahata Park in Adachi Ward. It's a few minutes' walk from the Hanahata 4-chome bus stop.

【Shop information】

■Hanbini Adachi Store / Kamaro Chicken Hanabatake Store
電話：03-5856-5425
Opening hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Closed: No holiday
Seats: None
Address: 4-39-14 Hanahata, Adachi-ku
Reservation: Enabled
Take-out: Yes
Barrier-free support: Enabled
Wi-Fi: Enabled
Access: Approximately 20 minutes on foot from Tanizuka Station on the Tobu Skytree Line.
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kanbini_adachi/

(This information is current as of October 5, 2026.)

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