Ajio (The King of Taste") - Taiwanese ****
Nakano, Numabukuro, and Ikebukuro

Address - No Opening hours - Open every day from 11:30 am to 1:00 am (Friday until 2:00 am) Map - In Nakano Yes In Numabukuro Yes In Ikebukuro Yes Telephone - In Nakano 5343-2588. In Numabukuro 5343-8266 In Ikebukuro 5343-5070 Menu - In Japanese with pictures CC - OK

You know the old adage "Familiarity breeds contempt"? In Ajio's case, the opposite was true for me. In the beginning I didn't find it all that hot, but it is now one of my favorite restaurants with a great, long menu to explore and in continuous evolution. Its dishes aren't as picturesque and original as Tainantamii's, but it is good in a homely sort of way and serves many fun things, like sweet Chinese sausages, deep fried gyoza, frog legs, and duck feet webs that are definitely worth trying. Prices are reasonable and you always find a seat.