Any fan of Mexican food living in Tokyo knows that there isn’t much of it to be had here. But we’ve found a cantina in the middle of this desert, and it’s called Frijoles.
Frijoles is essentially the Japanese local version of America’s Chipotle chain. In fact, it is so very much like Chipotle, down to the decor and the menu, that I wouldn’t be surprised if the owner was breaking several international copyright laws. That is completely fine by me, however, because it’s just what Tokyo needed.
This is a picture of my friends Yoshi and Catherine thinking about what to order. As you can see, Frijoles is just like Chipotle in that “Mexican Subway” kind of way. Because of its location in Azabu Juuban and because it is particularly popular with the foreign crowd, the employees all speak English and Japanese. In fact, the menu isn’t even printed in Japanese!
The menu is almost exactly like Chipotle’s, and again, I’m not complaining. You can get tacos, burritos, or fajitas with all the usual ingredients. They tend to be a little stingy with the rice, but if you ask them, they will throw in a bit more!
I’ll be honest — this place serves food that is a far cry from any real Mexican cuisine. The tortillas aren’t quite right, the salsa is totally different and the meats could use a little more seasoning. That said, having been in Tokyo all this time, I’d probably settle for a pita full of couscous and hamburger. Considering that you can get a halfway-decent burrito at Frijoles for under 1000 yen makes it an instant hit for me and my Japanese friends who need their Mexican fix.
Frijoles
Access: 2 min. walk from Azabu Juuban Sta. via Ichinohashi Intersection [Namboku Line, Oedo Line]
Hours: Daily, 11am – 10pm
Website: www.frijoles.jp
