Tsukiji: Famous Pork Giblet Rice Bowls at Kitsuneya (きつねや)

Tsukiji is widely known as a seafood market, bustling with numerous seafood shops and restaurants. However, some shops draw crowds even without serving seafood. One such place is Kitsuneya (きつねや), located along Monzeki Street. Kitsuneya is famous for its signature dish, horumondon, a rice bowl topped with simmered pork giblets.

At Kitsuneya, the star of the show is their boiling hotpot filled with simmered pork giblets. Known as horumon in Japanese, these pork giblets are slow-cooked in a rich broth seasoned with Hatcho miso and other ingredients. Kitsuneya has been delighting customers since 1947, making it a long-established and beloved spot.

Due to the open-air nature of most shops on Monzeki Street, the dining experience can be influenced by the season. It can feel freezing in winter or slightly overwhelming under the blazing summer sun. For the most comfortable experience, spring and autumn visits are highly recommended.

Kitsuneya’s menu is straightforward. Popular choices include horumondon (ホルモン丼 / pork giblet rice bowl), simmered horumon (ホルモン煮), and gyudon (牛丼 / beef bowl). Most customers opt for either the horumondon or the simmered horumon.

This is the famous horumondon: tender simmered giblets served over a bed of rice and topped with sliced green onions. While it pairs wonderfully with beer or sake, it also surprisingly complements red wine.

The rich, savory flavor of the giblets is a true highlight, though the dish’s simplicity—just rice and giblets—can become monotonous after a while. A sprinkle of shichimi pepper is a great way to add a kick and refresh the palate.

For an even more indulgent experience, I recommend adding an onsen tamago (soft-boiled egg). Stirring the creamy egg into the dish adds a luscious texture and balances the bold flavors.

Horumondon (ホルモン丼) with onsen tamago (半熟玉子, 50 yen)

Kitsuneya has only three seats in front of the hotpot. These seats are close to the heat and often crowded with people placing orders, making them less ideal for dining. Instead, I prefer the standing tables along the roadside. Although there are no chairs and the occasional traffic noise can be a bit distracting, it’s a more comfortable option overall.