Donzoko – Shinjuku 3-chome, a pleasure house loved by famous people

Izakaya “Donzoko”. The name comes from a play by the Russian writer Gorky. Founded in 1951, this Western-style bar is one of the oldest and most famous in Shinjuku. The “Donkaku,” a cocktail that has been around since the establishment of the bar, is made by mixing a crude shochu liquor with “something” and has gained popularity as a cheap and inebriating drink.

And this is one of the places that I myself frequent frequently. Just the other day, while giving a tour of Shinjuku to an Australian acquaintance, I ended the day with a visit to this restaurant. He is an actor and a Japanese culture enthusiast, and he was very excited to see the store, the tasteful interior, and the history of the store, which has been visited by many famous Japanese creators.

In this article, I would like to write about the history of this famous restaurant that has been loved by people for 70 years, introduce the menu items that the restaurant is proud of starting with Donggak, and also what kind of celebrities have visited the restaurant and what kind of impressions they left behind.

Donzoko History
Menu
People Who Loved the Bottom
Conclusion
More Information
Source

Donzoko History

This restaurant opened in 1951 and is located in Shinjuku 3-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.

It was founded by Satoshi Yano, who had studied theater at the Performing Arts Academy, and was visited by Yukio Mishima, Akira Kurosawa, and other cultural figures. It was also known as a singing bar and singing cafe, where political discussions took place inside, but in 1988 the sign was dropped and it began operating as a regular bar.

Donggak Cocktail (Donggak)” is said to be the specialty of Donggak, which is made by adding lemon, gum syrup, and soda water to Donggak shochu. At the time Donzoko opened, cheap bars served shochu mixed with other liquids, such as bakudan, umewari, and grapewari, but the poor quality of the shochu made it difficult to drink, so founder Yano, who was also a drinker, created donkaku to make it easier to drink and to increase its volume.

In addition to donkaku, pizza, introduced to Donzoko by cook Tomizawa, was another popular menu item, and is said to have been a favorite of Koshiji Fubuki.

Other Menu

Mixed Cheese Pizｓza

Homemade chicken ham filled with herbs ¥700

Oysters in oil ¥800

Stir-fried pork kasira Thai style ¥900

Cod and potato croquette ¥900

People Who Loved the Bottom

Yukio Mishima

At the bar “Donzoko,” they sell a collection of Donzoko songs, and when one person starts singing a certain song, unexpectedly, a large chorus of young people breaks out. When one person starts to sing a song, unexpectedly, a large chorus of young people joins in. The voices and the music come together to create a kind of harmony with a gentle energy. It was an indescribably energetic and healthy place of enjoyment. The American couple I was accompanying were constantly comparing this to American bars, and were surprised at how friendly, convivial, and non-belligerent the Japanese enjoyment was.

　However, it was a postwar phenomenon that the Japanese, who used to talk about “wabi” and “sabi”, learned how to enjoy themselves collectively and were able to create a whirlwind of joyful evening entertainment, however it may have been. I think that yakitori cabarets and bottomless bars are much closer to the world-class level.

Akihiro Miwa

How coincidental it is that the 50th anniversary of Donzoko and my 50th anniversary in show business are the same. I am sure that in a previous life, “Donzoko” and I may have been a married couple.

The faces of the boyfriends I met and snuggled with in my youth in Donzoko. The sound of the accordion. The orange glow of the lamp. Hey, my dear Dongbokun. Let’s celebrate our 100th anniversary together.

Conclusion

A great restaurant has a history.

Tucked away on a narrow street in Sancho, one could easily pass by this restaurant (the exterior walls are covered with ivy, and it is not the prettiest of places). Once you open the door, however, you will hear a noisy, joyful, and fun-filled voice coming from inside.

Is it just me, or does that sound somehow different from the other voices of enjoyment in this San-chome area crowded with chain restaurants?

As Mishima said, Donzoko has an open and healthy atmosphere that is out of place in today’s tight-knit society. It is as if one can hear the residue of the spirit that was mobilized in the postwar era of “reconstruction.

Even if I exaggerate, Donzoko is also a very worthwhile place to stop by for a quick drink (it is open daily until 11:30 p.m. and not closed on holidays). (It is open daily until 11:30 p.m. and is not closed on regular holidays.) It is also a good place to casually visit with well-meaning friends for an after-party. The food, atmosphere, and hospitality loved by the greats are sure to please you.