Hayashiya restaurant in Shinjuku revives iconic Sanpei Rice lunch

Hayashiya (食堂はやしや), a Showa‑era style restaurant located on the 5th floor of the Shinjuku Sunpark Building in Tokyo, has brought back its signature dish, Sanpei Rice. The dish, originally served by the establishment when it opened as Shokudo Sanpei in 1949, combines ketchup‑flavored rice with a tonkatsu egg‑roll, topped with a generous amount of demi‑glace sauce, and is accompanied by soup, salad and, optionally, macaroni. After a 45‑year hiatus, the meal returned in 2026 and is now offered with an all‑you‑can‑drink lunch beverage. Hayashiya is operated by the supermarket chain Sanpei Store, which maintains the nostalgic Showa atmosphere throughout the venue. The restaurant also serves a “Showa Plate” that lets diners choose between hayashi or curry sauce, pork cutlet, hamburger, shrimp fry and other sides.