A Hidden Gem for French Cuisine in Myoden, Ichikawa
Just a 3-minute walk from Myoden Station in Ichikawa, Chiba, lies Kakinoki—a beloved local French restaurant nestled in a quiet residential area.
Their seasonal course menus blend Japanese and Western influences with finesse, offering a refined yet unpretentious dining experience.
This article recounts a lunch visit in January 2023. While the menu may differ from the latest offerings, we hope this serves as a helpful introduction to the restaurant’s atmosphere and culinary style.
Kakinoki
Kakinoki is a serene, house-style restaurant in Ichikawa City, Chiba, offering inventive cuisine that fuses Japanese and Western elements. Known for its handmade dishes using seasonal ingredients, the restaurant caters to lunch, dinner, and special occasions such as anniversaries or gatherings. Its calm ambiance and attentive service have earned it long-standing love from the local community.
- Business hours
- Lunch 11:00 am – 2:30 pm
- Dinner 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
- Regular holiday
- Closed on Mondays
- Regular holidays vary monthly
- Telephone number
- +081-47-358-8077
- Official site
- https://www.ameba.jp/profile/general/kakinoki - myouden - 0617/
- Parking
- Coin - operated parking available nearby
- How to visit
- 3 - minute walk from Myoden Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line
- Address
- 3 - 13 - 10 Myoden, Ichikawa City, Chiba 272 - 0111, Japan
Authentic French Lunch for Around ¥2,000
Reservations are recommended for weekends—the restaurant was full during our lunch visit.
We took our seats and looked through the menu.
The course menu varies by season, offering two main choices: a meat course and a fish course.
You can also choose one of three desserts.
Kakinoki Course (Featuring tenderly roasted chicken as the main dish)
- Appetizer
- Smoked salmon and cod roe salad with assorted vegetables, watercolor-style presentation
- Main Dish
- Pan-fried chicken thigh with Provençal herb breadcrumbs and tomato sauce
- Palate Cleanser
- “Apple and Mango” pre-dessert in a petite glass
- Dessert (Choose one)
- Baked pumpkin cake with caramel sauce in a cocotte
- Silky pudding for grown-ups
- Savarin made with French bread and raspberry sauce
- Coffee or Earl Grey tea
¥1,850 (tax included)
Umi (Sea) Course (Featuring a fish main dish)
- Appetizer
- Smoked salmon and cod roe salad with assorted vegetables, watercolor-style presentation
- Main Dish
- Pan-fried menuke (rockfish) with basil and balsamic aroma
- Palate Cleanser
- “Apple and Mango” pre-dessert in a petite glass
- Dessert (Choose one)
- Baked pumpkin cake with caramel sauce in a cocotte
- Silky pudding for grown-ups
- Savarin made with French bread and raspberry sauce
- Coffee or Earl Grey tea
¥2,150 (tax included)
I chose the fish course.
All courses include all-you-can-eat bread.
I opted for the tomato-flavored French bread, though they also offered tea-flavored bread that day.
[Appetizer] Smoked Salmon and Cod Roe Salad with Colorful Vegetables
The sauce made this dish delightfully unique.
Basil and balsamic go well together, but having them combined as one sauce was a new and exciting experience—absolutely delicious.
A perfect example of French-style creative cuisine.
[Main Dish] Pan-Fried Menuke with Basil and Balsamic Aroma
“Menuke” is a type of deep-sea white fish. It was plump and tender—simply delicious.
The sauce and vegetables were outstanding, and the anchovy added a great touch.
Naturally, it paired perfectly with a glass of white wine (¥440).
[Palate Cleanser] “Apple and Mango” Pre-Dessert in a Petite Glass
Mango on top of a gentle mousse—the tropical tartness added a nice accent to the creamy base.
Chopped apple was scattered inside the mousse.
[Dessert] Baked Pumpkin Cake with Caramel Sauce in a Cocotte
From the three dessert choices, I selected the pumpkin cake.
A scoop of ice cream nestled inside the moist pumpkin sponge cake—the harmony between the two was perfect.
The sweetness was gentle and refined—sure to please fans of Japanese cuisine.
Chic Yet Unpretentious: Casual French Dining
Kakinoki offers thoughtful hospitality and a pleasant atmosphere for relaxed dining.
I visited on a Saturday, and by 11:30 am, all table seats were occupied—reservations are a good idea.
Bread is the main side offered with the courses and is refillable—it was excellent.
It’s a stylish spot serving creative cuisine, yet never feels overly formal. The vibe is relaxed, and the clientele ranged from couples to friends catching up.
And with prices around ¥2,000, it’s excellent value. I was thoroughly satisfied with my fish course and a glass of white wine for about ¥2,500.
A true hidden gem for French dining, tucked away in a residential neighborhood and just steps from the station—definitely worth a visit.
