Sabo Tanpopo Tokoname Review: Cozy Home Cooking
Discover Sabo Tanpopo, a charming hidden gem in Tokoname Pottery Footpath serving comforting, healthy Japanese home-style meals in a cozy setting.
Located in the charming town of Tokoname,
serving cozy, home-cooked meals,
🎈Sabo Tanpopo (사보 탄포포)
(Dandelion Cafe)! Here we are.
True to its reputation as a pottery village,
there are hands-on handmade pottery workshops here.
You can even try your hand at painting pottery!
The sign says there is Tokiwa Sarashi (常盤 晒),
a traditional cotton fabric shop, and Takita (瀧田) nearby.
Location & Address
Japan T479-0836 Aichi, Tokoname, Sakaemachi 2-chome_8
8_88【Sabo Tanpopo / 茶房 たんぽぽ】
〒479-0836
愛知県常滑市栄町２丁目８８
Parking Available (駐車場あり)
Japanese food can often be on the saltier side,
but since I absolutely love mild, authentic Japanese home cooking,
I specifically searched for a spot that uses fresh local ingredients.
I was so excited as we made our way there!
The streets are incredibly narrow
and quite hilly, but with the bamboo trees framing the path,
taking in the unique, scenic views of the local houses and shops...
we walked along thinking, "Wow, what a fascinating little village!"
I even spotted a micro-pig cafe!
And a foot bath cafe too.
Once you see that sign selling roasted sweet potatoes,
you're pretty much there.
It’s right next door...
Exterior
This roasted sweet potato shop—
the famous spot that tops warm roasted sweet potatoes with gelato—
is right next door.
And here it is, Sabo Tanpopo!
Normally there's a long wait, but we did an "open run" and arrived right at opening!
We were the very first customers, so there was no one else there.
They are open for business!
It has a super rustic, vintage feel,
like you've traveled deep into the countryside or just stepped into your grandmother’s cozy home.
I even spotted a little lizard's tail!
Opening Hours
Monday - Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
🎈 Evening Hours: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Restaurant Vibe
It has that classic, nostalgic charm
of an old diner you'd see straight out of a TV drama,
and it's run by a sweet elderly lady
and her daughter.
It definitely gives off major *'Solitary Gourmet'* vibes!
It might get a little warm in here during the peak of summer.
The dolls on display are actually pretty spooky.
The massive wooden dining table is absolutely stunning.
There are so many unique plates and cups on display,
it was so much fun just looking around!
The Menu
You can choose from 3 different options on the menu.
From today's "Tanpopo" specials:
Mackerel Simmered in Miso
Simmered Sea Bream
Grilled Bonito (Katsuo)
Japanese-style Fried Chicken (Karaage)
They are 1,600 JPY (~$10) each.
They also serve everything from coffee and matcha
to amazake (sweet fermented rice drink), sake, and other alcoholic beverages.
They have curry, soba, udon, and somen noodles, too.
And they even have desserts! We ended up ordering the Mackerel Simmered in Miso,
and the Japanese-style Fried Chicken.
This is what a real home-cooked meal looks like!
As soon as I saw the plating,
I was absolutely blown away. It looked incredible!
Even the water cups were so pretty.
Instead of regular water, they serve a wonderful herbal tea.
The rice isn't just plain white rice either—it's a super healthy grain blend.
Overall, nothing was overly salty, the salad dressing was completely homemade,
and honestly, absolutely everything tasted spectacular!
An elderly grandmother was busy cooking away in the kitchen,
and she had herbs drying on the tables both inside and outside the shop.
All the side dishes and the miso soup were delicious.
And since bitter melon is naturally bitter anyway,
aside from that, it was a truly perfect meal.
The simmered mackerel had that rich, deep mackerel flavor,
but it wasn't fishy at all—it was so tender and flaky!
And the fried chicken felt completely different
from any other fried chicken I've ever had before!
The herbal water was a tiny bit bitter,
but it made me feel so healthy and nourished.
I honestly want to travel back to Nagoya just to eat this home-style set meal again!
📍 Tokoname Station
5 Chome Koiehonmachi, Tokoname, Aichi 479-0838, Japan
📍 Sabo Tanpopo
2 Chome-88 Sakaemachi, Tokoname, Aichi 479-0836, Japan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours of Sapo Tanpopo, a home-style restaurant in the Tokoname Pottery Path in Nagoya?
Sapo Tanpopo is open every day from Monday to Sunday. Lunch hours are from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and dinner hours are from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
What are the options and the price for Sapo Tanpopo's set meal, 'Today's Dandelion Menu'?
For 'Today's Dandelion Menu', you can choose from mackerel simmered in miso, simmered sea bream, grilled bonito, or Japanese-style fried chicken. The price is 1,600 yen.
How can I find Sapo Tanpopo within Tokoname village?
If you follow the narrow and hilly paths, it is located right next to a shop that serves gelato on top of roasted sweet potatoes. There is also a micro-pig cafe and a foot bath cafe nearby.
What are the characteristics of the meals and water served at Sapo Tanpopo?
Instead of regular plain water, herbal water is served, and the rice provided is a healthy option. Overall, the food is not overly salty, and they use a homemade salad dressing, allowing you to enjoy mild Japanese home-style cooking.
What other experiences can I have in the Tokoname Pottery Path besides dining?
There is a handmade pottery workshop in the village where you can experience pottery painting. You can also visit Takita, a shop selling Tokiwa Sarashi cotton cloth.
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