Exciting Grand Opening of Tsukishima Monja Tamato-ya in Niigata City

Introducing Tsukishima Monja Tamato-ya in Niigata City

An exciting culinary event is on the horizon! Tsukishima Monja Tamato-ya, the popular monjayaki restaurant from Tokyo's Monja district, is set to open its doors in Niigata City. This will be the restaurant's first venture into the Hokuriku region, following its celebrated success in Tokyo, where lines often form around the block at their locations, including one near Tokyo Station.

Grand Opening Details

Scheduled for August 8, 2026, the grand opening will commence at 11:00 AM at the vicinity of Niigata Station, specifically at the Benten Hall area. Prior to the grand opening, a pre-opening event will take place from July 30 to August 7, giving eager customers a sneak peek of what’s to come.

The Origin of Monja

Monjayaki, a savory Japanese dish that resembles okonomiyaki but with a unique texture and preparation style, is a staple of Tsukishima, Tokyo. This restaurant prides itself on serving authentic monjayaki, using fresh seafood sourced directly from the Toyosu Market, which has been in operation since the Meiji era and is renowned for its high-quality offerings.

Unique Store Design

The design of the Niigata store is spearheaded by BaNANA OFFICE, a company known for creating diverse dining environments within large commercial structures. The store's design philosophy centers on “imagining fun scenes,” creating a cozy atmosphere that appeals to customers. The interior aims to merge tradition with modernity, featuring elements reminiscent of traditional Japanese homes alongside eye-catching contemporary designs.

Notably, the store’s exterior sports a striking triangular roof, while the interior uses boards, bricks, and plaster to evoke nostalgia, creating an inviting yet modern space—especially attractive to passersby, thanks to its unique lighting that resembles a ‘cluster of light’.

Culinary Highlights

One of the standout features of Tsukishima Monja Tamato-ya is its commitment to quality in its culinary offerings. Utilizing fresh seafood directly supplied from the Toyosu Market, the restaurant creates a proprietary broth using a blend of fish, chicken bones, and fragrant vegetables. This signature broth enhances the flavor profiles of their monjayaki, ensuring each dish is a delight.

A must-try dish is the Mentaiko Mochi Monjayaki, which is prepared using a generous whole piece of spicy cod roe, sourced directly from the founder’s family business. It's a colorful and visually appealing dish that showcases the umami of the homemade broth melded beautifully with the rich flavor of mentaiko, making it a quintessential menu item.

Furthermore, all dishes at Tamato-ya are expertly cooked by professional chefs right in front of diners on a teppan grill, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience even for first-time visitors.

For those looking for a special twist, the Mentaiko Mochi Monjayaki pairs exceptionally well with cheese toppings— a flavor combination that many patrons rave about.

In addition to monjayaki, the menu further includes various seasonal seafood, meticulously prepared grilled fish, and other teppan dishes, including the standout Grilled Squid (with liver soy sauce)— a rich and satisfying dish that features fresh squid enhanced by butter-soy sauce grilling techniques to bring out the best flavors.

Store Information

- Opening Date: August 8, 2026, at 11:00 AM
- Location: 1-1-26 Benten, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, 950-0901
- Access: Directly connected to JR Niigata Station
- Operating Hours: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Open daily
- Phone Number: 025-383-8232

For any inquiries regarding the restaurant, please contact the public relations officer Daiki Sekimizu at 03-6264-3747 or by email at [email protected].