Wanida 2

Run by a Thai woman, Wanida’s namesake food bar has been in Akabane for 11 years before moving to OK Yokocho three years ago. The bar shot to fame after being included in Toru Seino's manga ‘Wow! Akabane, Kita Ward, Tokyo’, which featured unusual spots in the neighbourhood. However, the bar is locked up tight; if Wanida, who’s also a tough bouncer, won't allow it, there's no way you're getting in, no matter how many vacant seats there are. According to a regular, ‘The trick is to avoid looking into Wanida's eyes as they peer at you through the small window.’ Since it's a bar, food choices are limited, but rest assured that the flavours here are bold and punchy, befitting of classic Thai cuisine.