Shamaim – Israeli Restaurant in Tokyo
Chooch had her exam for Level 4 of the Chinese Proficiency Test yesterday. She has been studying pretty hard recently for it so we thought we might go out for dinner last night. After a bit of a search around on the internet for good vegetarian restaurants we ended up choosing Shamaim – an Israeli / Middle Eastern restaurant located about half an hour from central Tokyo in Nerima ward.
In New Zealand we don’t have much in the way of Israeli restaurants (at least not that I am aware of), but we do have a lot of food from that area, particularly Lebanese restaurants – and these have long been a favourite of mine. It wasn’t until we moved to the Kansai area in 2001 and discovered a great little Israeli felafel place in Nara (which I have heard has since moved to Kyoto) and I was very happy to discover that they served wonderful food much like I was used to in New Zealand. I suppose it should have been obvious that Israeli food would be very similar to Lebanese food, but my image was more of New York deli style grub.
So we rode the Oedo line from Azabujuban station out to ShinEgota station which took a bit under half an hour. After getting out of the station we had a nice stroll through the streets of Nerima ward. That area is very Haruki Murakami – peaceful semi-urban Tokyo and it wouldn’t seem so strange to stumble upon a character from The Wind-up Bird Chronicle.
After a bit of a walk we found the restaurant. The area it is in has a pachinko parlour, a book store, and even what looked suspiciously like a bia hoi (sp?). From the outside Shamaim didn’t look like much, still we were hungry, hungry as polar bears as we went up the stairs. Once inside we were pleasantly surprised – the decour was nice and homely and would have been fine in any half decent cafe in New Zealand.
We ordered the all you can eat 2100 yen vegetarian special and dug in. It was damn good. Nice veggie soup to kick things off and then a great selection of dishes to dip our pita bread in. The all you can eat special lasts 2 hours – but we didn’t. After an hour or so, and a couple of extra orders we were as full as could be and very sleepy! Too much food 
A mighty fine repast.
Shamaim is highly recommended. If you click here, you can get a map to the restaurant as well as a coupon you can print out to get free Shamaim special dessert “Marabi”, or free Arabian spicy coffee, or free mint tea – the choice is yours.
One thing that stood out was the music. A lot of restaurants like this try to play traditional local / ethnic music. Shamaim didnt – some great beats to keep the dining kicking along. Gotta appreciate that!
10 Comments, Comment or Ping
popescu radu
excellent, tasty, good service !
it’s high recomended !
very warm familiar good feeling !
Apr 16th, 2009
Yasuko
this’s the first time i heard about Israel restaurant in Tokyo , but in the picture it looks that’s arabic food , i don’t know why they called it Israeli !!! coz what i know about iseal they are good with fight or kill ,
Nov 6th, 2009
Mike
if your wondering whats Israeli food, basically its just Arabic Palestinian food with the stamp of Israeli put on it….
i would recommend going to a a real Arabic restaurant
Nov 27th, 2009
Simon
Good point Mike, if you could suggest some good arabic restaurants that would be great.
I had my first food from the region from a Lebanese family in NZ and was hooked…
Nov 27th, 2009
Yuki
For the one who realy dont know what is israeli food, u must go there and try, to say its arabic food is not true, as jewish came from all over the world you can find mix from many placess, including arab cuntry (egypt, maroco.. and so)
I beet the food you eat here will be good as i felt.
Enjoy….
Dec 10th, 2009
toni
I enjoy so much in this isreli resturant, the food was soooooo good
i felt like i was in israel, the food is so umeai
they explain how they make the food, and also sing song and it was full of pepole.
very recomend, wow and by the way, i saw what Yasuko say, and i am so sorry for him if this is what he think so. – sad
Dec 10th, 2009
k
Sorry, it’s a little difficult to take your comments seriously (the illiterate idiots from above).
Israeli society is made up of people from many different countries, mostly Mizrahim (Jewish people of Sephardic origin such as Iraqis, Iranians, Moroccans, Yemenites, and more).
Have you ever heard of Shakshuka? Chulent/Hamin? Jachnun/Malawach? Sabich? All are a part of Israeli cuisine.
It’s easy to shove your political views in areas that you do not comprehend. In those cases, it’s best for you to just admit that you do not know. At least then your ignorance wouldn’t be as obvious and laughable, if I may say so..
Dec 23rd, 2009
Todalan
Hey Simon, thanks for the recommendation. I have been there a couple of times. I am heading the this Saturday. I will check if the menu has any new seasonal menu items.
Sep 30th, 2010
Johnny Ray
It is an unfortunate and sickening fact that any money you send in the direction of “israel” will assist apartheid and genocide. Find another eastern Mediterranean restaurant, like Izmir in Asagaya.
Jan 5th, 2011
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