JiJi & BaBa

Steaming hot right out of the oven, the house-specialty dorias (baked rice gratins) draw crowds of lunchtime diners. The signature JiJi & BaBa Special Meat Doria comes loaded with bacon, eggplant, bell pepper, corn, and shimeji mushrooms, balancing the gentle acidity of tomato with rich layers of melted cheese. The JiJi & BaBa-Style Curry Cheese Doria is another perennial favorite, delivering an enticing spiced aroma alongside deep curry flavor, mellow melted cheese, and the varied textures of finely chopped vegetables through the final bite.

The meat courses capture the comforting essence of classic yoshoku (Western-influenced Japanese cooking). The luxurious Yamagata beef menchi-katsu (minced cutlet), freshly fried from trimmings, yields a crisp breadcrumb crust that gives way to juicy, concentrated beef flavor. Diners can also enjoy the cheese-topped 100% beef hamburg steak smothered in rich demiglace sauce, or the special Yamagata beef carpaccio, highlighting the clean quality of the beef without embellishment.

Beyond its Yamagata and Yamanashi regional ingredients, the menu charms with playful touches, from garlic toast topped with potato salad to homey daily simmered dishes. With wine, beer, coffee, and desserts on hand, the kitchen caters equally well to a filling midday meal or a lively evening gathering over drinks.