I always find it interesting to see Japan's take on different cuisines. Everything is altered to appeal to the local palate, so it provides a window into Japanese tastes. It's something that happens in many cultures, and no cuisine gets this treatment more than Chinese food. China is a very large country, with a variety of different cooking styles. Whatever part of it that is popular in another country is taken up and labeled as “Chinese”. It's like saying that the hamburger is the be-all-end-all of American cooking.
The most obvious example of Chinese cooking in Japan is ramen. Even today, the name is spelled with the characters that are used to write foreign words, despite being thoroughly absorbed into Japanese society. There's even a ramen museum in Yokohama that explains the regional variations!
Served alongside ramen in many restaurants, and thought of as a great snack to go with beer, is gyoza. Half-moon shaped dough filled with meat or vegetables then steamed or fried, gyoza can be found in bars and supermarkets alike. Their potential for variation has been heartily taken up across the country, with each area filling them with their local specialty, from corn to crab.
Kaen looks as commonplace as these foods now are. Overshadowed by the huge Daiso next door, you'd be forgiven for missing it completely. It stands out less than the tiny 82 no 28 (wani no niwa) Bakery which faces Daiso. Kaen is quite small, only containing about 10 seats, all at a counter. Every seat has a great view of the kitchen, so you see everything that goes into your meal. There's also a TV in one corner, set to the local channel.
On the menu are several types of ramen, set meals and a few Japanese staples like katsudon and oyakodon (rice with breaded meat and with chicken and egg, respectively).
Eating at Kaen was the first time that I felt that I got some of my five-a-day with my ramen. I missed the name, but was feeling in need of vegetables, so I ordered one of the staff's recommendations. I wasn't disappointed. About half of the bowl – which wasn't small – contained a pile of various veg. The soup itself wasn't one of the best I'd ever had, but it was decent. By the end I was struggling to finish such a big portion, but pleased that I'd got my money's worth.
The gyoza set was also decent. It came with rice and a Chinese-style soup, somewhat oily yet fairly clear and with a certain amount of flavor. I was surprised by the number of gyoza, which isn't usually anywhere near the ten I received. I was given a plate of chopped garlic to mix my dipping sauce with, and it added a nice, extra bit of flavor. It was a satisfying amount of food, not quite as overwhelming as the ramen had been.
Kaen is nothing particularly special, but there are no bad surprises here either. If you want a quick meal, or fancy a touch of Chinese cuisine, you can rely on getting it here.
