The restaurant Quentin Tarantino used as visual inspiration for the Crazy 88 fight scene in Kill Bill, which is both the reason most people come and the reason to look past the association to the actual food. Gonpachi occupies a dramatic three-story space in Nishi-Azabu with exposed timber beams, an open kitchen on the ground floor, and a mezzanine that gives you the elevated perspective the movie made famous. The soba noodles are hand-cut and the yakitori is grilled over bincho-tan charcoal, and both are good enough to justify a visit without any cinematic backstory. The room is enormous by Tokyo standards and buzzes with the energy of a restaurant that knows exactly what it is: a spectacle that also happens to serve proper Japanese food.
Location
Roppongi, Tokyo
Insider Intel
Hand-cut soba noodles — the house specialty, served cold with dipping sauce (zaru soba) or in hot broth. Yakitori from the charcoal grill: negima (chicken and leek), tsukune (meatball), and kawa (skin, crispy). The robata-grilled fish is excellent. A bottle of cold sake or a Sapporo draft. The tempura is competent. Order across the menu — the izakaya format rewards breadth over depth.
Dinner from 7pm when the dramatic interior is at its most atmospheric — the timber beams and open kitchen are best appreciated with evening lighting. Weekend evenings are the most energetic but also the loudest. Weekday dinner for a calmer experience. The Obama visit (2014 dinner with Abe) gave the restaurant a second wave of fame.
Nishi-Azabu location, between Roppongi and Hiroo — a taxi is easiest from Roppongi Station. The building is visible and distinctive. Reservations recommended for dinner, especially weekends. Main floor is walk-in, upper floors may require booking. Budget 4,000-7,000 yen per person with drinks. Credit cards accepted. The space accommodates large groups, making it useful for parties of 6+. English menu available. Yes, it is the Kill Bill restaurant. No, the staff do not want to discuss it further.