The Owner's Passion for Chicken at a Log Cabin Restaurant

Pesäpallo: Tanba Chicken Japanese-Style Western Restaurant

Tabiiro’s picks: signature dishes

A set featuring the owner's top picks

"Authentic Chicken Rice with Cheese and Egg"

Tsukune loved for many years

"Tamba Ajiwai-dori" chicken wings

The "Seared Chicken Set" with Beautifully Browned "Tamba Ajiwai-dori"

The "Seared Chicken Set" is Pesäpallo's signature menu item, showcasing "Tamba Ajiwai-dori" in a variety of preparations. Centered on fragrant flame-grilled chicken, the generous set also includes the day's salad and soup, two pieces of fried chicken, two tsukune meatball skewers, two chicken wings, pickles, and fruit. For the rice dish, there is a choice of "Curry Risotto," "Chicken Zosui," or "Chicken Rice with Cheese and Egg," offering a different combination with each visit. Served on Tamba ware, this popular set brings together the restaurant's chicken dishes and a touch of local character.

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  The Rich, Savory Flavor of "Tamba Ajiwai-dori"

  "Tamba Ajiwai-dori" is a branded chicken that is low in fat and cholesterol, yet offers natural sweetness, richness, and a pleasantly firm texture. It is delivered fresh, prepared the same day, and stored at an appropriate temperature to maintain freshness and bring out the chicken's natural flavor.

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  A Custom-Made Iron Griddle and Secret-Recipe Sauce Make the Difference

  The chicken thighs are grilled on a custom-made iron plate about 12mm thick, producing a fragrant exterior and a plump, juicy center. The specialty tsukune hamburger steak uses an original ground-chicken blend made from various cuts of "Tamba Ajiwai-dori." The owner's secret sauce, refined through years of experimentation since his days running a yakitori restaurant, combines onions and honey for a deep flavor that defines the dish.

Popular pairings

A dish with balsamic sauce

"Tamba Top Pick Set"

The popular "Tamba Top Pick Set" showcases the flavor of "Tamba Ajiwai-dori" with the day's salad and soup, two pieces of fried chicken, and two tsukune meatball skewers. For the main chicken dish, there is a choice of three flavors: shiso with grated daikon and ponzu, balsamic sauce, or tomato sauce. Each is prepared differently to bring out the savory flavor of "Tamba Ajiwai-dori." The generous set also includes rice, pickles, and fruit. The rice is a blend selected by a certified rice meister and pairs well with the chicken dishes.

Must-try signature dish

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  "Two-Cheese Tsukune Hamburger Steak Set"

  A popular dish combining an original tsukune hamburger steak made with "Tamba Ajiwai-dori" and two kinds of cheese. The generous set also includes ham, salad, a small side dish, rice, pickles, and fruit. Its light flavor makes it easy to enjoy through to the last bite.

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  "Uji Matcha Parfait"

  A Japanese-style parfait made with generous amounts of Uji matcha from Kyoto. House-made matcha jelly is layered with rich matcha ice cream and aromatic matcha powder, then paired with azuki beans and candied chestnuts. The dessert highlights the full flavor of matcha alongside traditional Japanese ingredients and is also well-suited as an after-meal treat.

Restaurant highlights

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  An asphalt-paved parking lot

  A Spacious, Convenient Asphalt-Paved Parking Lot

  The spacious parking lot is paved with asphalt rather than gravel for convenient access by car. It accommodates larger groups and visitors driving from farther away, while the smooth surface makes it easy to walk across and more comfortable to use on rainy days.

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  Deck seating where pets are welcome

  Dog-Friendly Deck Seating

  Dogs are welcome on the deck seating, an open-air space surrounded by trees where meals and café time can be enjoyed together. A nearby dog run also makes it a convenient stop during an outing with a dog. The setting provides a comfortable, relaxing place for both owners and their pets.

Interior

A spacious interior expanded over the years

Built with Finnish timber, the log cabin interior has the warmth of a Nordic mountain lodge. Expanded over time, the spacious setting welcomes a wide range of diners, from families and couples to solo visitors. Large windows overlook Tamba's abundant natural scenery, while the scent of wood and the restaurant's chicken dishes add to the atmosphere. The views and tranquil surroundings offer a break from everyday life.

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  Leisurely Evening Dining by Reservation Only

  In the evening, the restaurant operates inside the adjacent "Ogura Café." Dinner is available by reservation through the previous day, with the same popular dishes served at lunch in a calm, unhurried setting. The space feels different from home yet still relaxed and comfortable, with details including a wood-burning stove, grand piano, early Showa-era antique clock, and vintage furniture.

From the Tabiiro Editorial Team

Drawing on years of experience with chicken dishes, the owner has refined grilling methods and seasoning to bring out the character of the ingredients. The log cabin interior was also designed from the ground up, combining a Nordic atmosphere with Tamba's natural surroundings and local flavors. The chicken dishes bring together the owner's accumulated experience, making the restaurant a destination for those interested in his approach to cooking.