If You're Looking for Tacos in Shinjuku's Kabukicho, Try TGI Fridays | An American-style bar just a 5-minute walk from the station

When you’re looking for a place to have drinks in Shinjuku, do you ever find yourself overwhelmed by all the izakayas lined up side by side and unable to make up your mind? Whether it’s for the first round or the after-party, you want to pick a place that’s sure to please. The more people there are, the harder it becomes to find a spot that suits everyone’s tastes. It’s an even bigger headache when you’re the one in charge of planning.

A place where you can enjoy both the food and the drinks—and where you’ll want to take photos—is always a comfort to have. When you’re looking for just such a spot, I’d like you to consider an American-style bar that serves tacos. These dishes, where you pile toppings onto a tortilla, brighten up the room the moment they’re placed on the table.

In this article, we'll cover everything from the basics of tacos to the menu at the TGI Fridays Shinjuku Kabukicho location, as well as the restaurant's location. If you're interested, be sure to keep reading.

What are tacos? A dish originating in Mexico where fillings are placed on a tortilla and enjoyed.

Tacos are a dish that has long been enjoyed in Mexico. They consist of thinly baked tortillas topped with meat, seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients, which are then folded and eaten. The tortillas are made from wheat or corn flour, and the fillings vary depending on the region and the restaurant.

Because there are so many different combinations of fillings and sauces, this dish really lets each restaurant showcase its unique character. Even though they’re all tacos, the taste can be completely different depending on the restaurant—and that’s part of the fun of trying them all.

The appeal of tacos lies in the way their textures and flavors change within a single dish. Soft tortillas, crispy fillings, crunchy vegetables, and fragrant herbs—every bite offers a different experience, so the meal never gets monotonous as you eat.

Another reason it’s a popular choice for group meals is that it’s colorful and brightens up the table.

TGI Fridays offers two types of tacos, both served with Spanish rice.

The tacos at the TGI Fridays Shinjuku Kabukicho location come in two varieties: chicken and shrimp.

Both feature coleslaw spread on a flower tortilla brushed with aioli, topped with various ingredients. The toppings include pico de gallo, cottage cheese, pickled red onions, and cilantro. They also come with tomato-flavored Spanish rice. Since they share the same base, it’s easy to choose between them based on the different toppings.

The prices, including tax, are as follows.

■ Crispy Chicken Finger Tacos 1,969 yen
■ Bracken Shrimp Tacos 2,079 yen

Both cost around 2,000 yen and come with rice. Since rice is included, it’s easy to put together a meal where the tacos take center stage. A fun way to choose is to start by ordering one plate of each and comparing the flavors as you eat.

Crispy Chicken Finger Tacos: A combination of crispy chicken and BBQ sauce

The star of the Crispy Chicken Finger Tacos is the crispy, deep-fried chicken finger. It’s seasoned with BBQ sauce, so you can enjoy both the texture of the batter and the flavor of the sauce.

The base consists of a flower tortilla spread with aioli and coleslaw. Chicken fingers are placed on top of this.

The toppings—pico de gallo, pickled red onions, and cilantro—add color and aroma to the chicken. With cottage cheese also included, you can enjoy the layers of flavor.

This dish, which features fried chicken as its main ingredient, is perfect for when you want to enjoy the combination of a crispy coating and BBQ sauce. It’s also topped with cilantro, so its aroma adds to the overall flavor.

Bracken Shrimp Tacos, Shrimp Tossed in Cajun Spices

The Bracken Shrimp Tacos feature shrimp sautéed with Cajun spices. You can enjoy the unique flavor of the shrimp, enhanced by the spices.

The base is the same as for chicken tacos: a flour tortilla spread with aioli, topped with coleslaw, pico de gallo, cottage cheese, pickled red onions, and cilantro. It also comes with tomato-flavored Spanish rice.

The interesting thing about these two dishes is that even though they share the same base, the flavor changes depending on the main ingredient. The chicken dish offers a crispy, fried texture, while the shrimp dish lets you enjoy the flavor of the spices and the taste of the seafood.

If you're not sure which one to choose, we recommend ordering one plate each for two or more people so you can all try a little of each. This dish, featuring shrimp seasoned with Cajun spices, is a great choice when you want to savor the flavor of the spices.

Mexi Bowls and Appetizers to Order Alongside Tacos

Along with tacos, I’d recommend trying the Mexibowl. It’s a rice bowl made with buttered rice topped with various ingredients, and there are two varieties.

The Grilled Chicken Mexi Bowl features spicy grilled chicken topped with bacon, avocado, corn, black beans, and pico de gallo. It comes with a lime wedge so you can add extra flavor to your liking. The price is 2,079 yen, including tax.

The Bracken Shrimp Mexibowl is topped with seven ingredients, including sautéed shrimp, avocado, bacon, and tomatoes. It has a light and slightly spicy flavor. You can enjoy it for 2,189 yen (tax included).

If you're sharing with others, you can also choose appetizers and snacks. Prices (including tax) are as follows:

・Nachos 1,749 yen
・Table-side Guacamole: 1,199 yen
・Chicken Quesadilla: 1,133 yen

At Gakamore, the staff prepares the food right at your table, so you can enjoy watching the process while you wait for your order. Nachos are tortilla chips topped with cheese sauce and other ingredients—they’re perfect for sharing and snacking on. A quesadilla is a tortilla filled with chicken and cheese and then grilled.

Tacos to Enjoy with Beers and Cocktails from Around the World

The TGI Fridays Shinjuku Kabukicho location offers a wide variety of beers from around the world, including craft beers and bottled beers. It would be fun to try comparing different beers while enjoying some tacos.

For example, try pairing a taco filled with crispy chicken fingers with your favorite beer. For a taco with spiced shrimp, look for a different beer to go with it. The time spent thinking about these pairings while making your selection is one of the joys of dining out.

There is a wide selection of colorful, Instagram-worthy cocktails available. You can also have a drink made to your liking from our extensive selection of liqueurs. Whether you prefer something sweet or something refreshing, it’s a good idea to let the bartender know your taste preferences when making your choice.

While we offer set menus that include all-you-can-drink options, you can also order dishes à la carte. With tacos as the main focus, you can customize your meal based on your mood that day.

About a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station—enjoy a meal in this American-style setting in Kabukicho

The TGI Fridays Shinjuku Kabukicho location is located on the 2nd floor of the Daiichi Metro Building in Kabukicho 1-chome, about a 5-minute walk from Exit B13 of Shinjuku Station. Since it’s just a short walk from the train station, it’s an easy place to stop by after work or during a night out.

The store is filled with humorous items imported from the U.S. In an atmosphere that’s typical of a brand originating in New York, taking photos while surrounded by tacos is a fun experience. There’s also a bar counter, so you can easily stop by even if you’re alone.

We're open until midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and the day before a holiday, and until 11:00 PM on all other days. Last orders for food are at 10:00 PM and for drinks at 10:30 PM, so it's best to arrive with plenty of time to spare.

Summary

When you go out to eat in Kabukicho, do you find yourself always choosing the same old places? But just having one dish on the table that’s a little different from usual can change the atmosphere of the gathering.

Tacos featuring crispy chicken and BBQ sauce, and tacos with Cajun-spiced shrimp. Both are perfect for snacking on while chatting with a beer or cocktail in hand. Add some nachos and guacamole, and your table will come alive.

Within walking distance of Shinjuku Station, there’s a restaurant where you can enjoy an American atmosphere. It’s a casual spot perfect for hanging out with friends or coworkers. If you’re having trouble deciding where to go, why not add TGI Fridays to your list of options?

Once you've decided on your next plans, be sure to reserve a table and come by for some tacos.