Founded in 1886, Yonekyu Honten emerged during the Meiji era when gyunabe (beef hot pot) became a symbol of modernization and Western influence. At that time, Asakusa was Tokyo’s premier entertainment district, filled with yose (rakugo theaters) and playhouses, and many gyunabe restaurants sprang up to cater to the crowds.The restaurant quickly became beloved by locals for offering high-quality beef at reasonable prices, allowing working-class patrons to enjoy this new culinary trend.Even today, Yonekyu Honten preserves the charm of its early days, with traditional tatami seating and the welcoming beat of a drum when guests arrive. Its Kanto-style gyunabe, featuring marbled beef simmered in a slightly sweet warishita sauce, continues to delight diners across generations.