That night, we were completely caught off guard.
We drank too much and went home leaving the komtan soup simmering on the stove.
When we rushed over after getting the call, the fire department was already in the thick of extinguishing the blaze.
The shop was flooded, and a crowd had gathered outside.
All we could do was hold our heads in our hands, thinking, “Oh no…”
We truly caused tremendous trouble for our neighbors that time.
Even now, just remembering it makes me break out in a cold sweat—it’s a huge regret.
The fire trucks left at 6 a.m….
The inside of the shop was covered in thick black soot, making it impossible to operate.
Still, to make it open by 5 p.m., everyone desperately cleaned.
Gripping rags as they turned black, we scrubbed the floors, walls, and ceiling, working together to bring the shop back to life.
And then evening arrived.
We managed to finish cleaning up and open for business as usual.
The relief I felt when I called out, “Welcome!” is something I’ll never forget.
As if the fire had driven away bad luck, the shop was incredibly busy from that day on.
Neighbors came by, concerned about the small fire, and customers who had visited once returned with friends and colleagues…
It sounds like a tall tale, but it’s true.
The day after the fire, believe it or not, a line formed outside the shop.
Wagyu Yakiniku Kuro5
IKEBUKURO Main Restrant
1F Shima 100 building ,2-46-3, Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku , Tokyo 171-0014
https://en.kuro5.net/restaurant/honten
Wagyu Yakiniku Kuro5
IKEBUKURO East Exit Restrant
2F Need Building, 1-42-16 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-0013
https://en.kuro5.net/restaurant/higashiguchi
Wagyu Yakiniku KURO5
Kabukicho
1F Sankei Building, 2-21-4 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
https://en.kuro5.net/restaurant/kabukicho
Official Instagram: @kuro5yakiniku
