- Bancho - Caipirinhas and Brazilian meat in Sangenjaya
I stumbled across Bancho one evening whilst wandering around the warren of alleys that run between the 246 and Setagaya dori close to Sangenjaya station. I was lured to Bancho by the delicious aromas of grilling meat filling the air. At the front of the shop I was greeted by the magnificent sight of huge chunks do meat being spit roasted over red hot coals. That was enough. I needed to try this immediately. However it was not to be. Most of the many bars, izakaya and noodle shops in this area are tiny, seating no more than 20 people and Bancho is no exception. It consists of one long counter and one table seating 8 at the back and this time it was full. It took several attempts to actually be able to get in but the wait only built up anticipation and I was not disappointed. The menu isn't huge with a few salads, some pastels ( a bit like a samosa), feijoada, the obligatory pizza and most importantly about 10 different kinds of churrasco. I had never tried churrasco before and was hooked instantly. The manager Fuji-San cooks huge chunks of various cuts of meat on his specially imported churrasco machine. There's spicy steak, garlic steak, delicious sausages, chicken, hearts, pork and more. All of it completely delicious. Simply place your order and Fuji San will bring the huge skewer of meat to you and slice of a thick piece of meat onto your wooden plate before returning it to the grill. The various cuts of meat range from 250 yen for a very generous slice of meaty goodness. There are however two dilemmas when coming to Bancho, firstly knowing when to stop ordering and knowing what to drink. Fuji San mixes a mean caipirinha along with some other delicious Brazilian cocktails, the beer is cold and the wine extremely quaffable. That first visit and every other time since I have left stuffed to the gunnels and quite drunk. Bancho has become a firm favorite and I often go back for a meat fix. They do a great all you can eat and all you drink deal for ¥4500. I'd recommend meat lovers to get over to Bancho and feast on the delicious Churasco.
They must be doing something right as there is now a Bancho 2 just around the corner from the original and a recently opened Bancho 3 in maruyamacho in Shibuya.
P.S. Ordered the barbecued pineapple with cinnamon, it's a revelation.
text by simon void
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