restaurant review

Hello everyone!

On Christmas, my family visited a restaurant called “Dancing Crab” in Shinjuku so I will evaluate it. 

It’s located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and is about a 1-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station Exit 1.

Here is the link to their website: https://www.dancingcrab.com.sg/en/home

These are the categories I will evaluate; taste/price, waiters/waitresses, atmosphere, service, and facilities. 

Before evaluating, I will write about the day and the time. 

My family went to this restaurant on December 25, 2021, at 7 pm but we reserved it beforehand. When we got there, it was not as crowded as two years ago when Covid-19 wasn’t happening. 

We were seated at a big table but we wanted to change it to the corner table so we asked the waitress and she kindly allowed us to move.

We ordered the Crab Combo Bag which contains shrimp, scallops, mussels, octopus, chicken, broccoli, potatoes, corn, and carrots. For the seasoning, we chose Dancing Crab signature mild sauce. As a side, we ordered texas garlic toast, spicy cajun french fries, classic caesar salad, and for the drink, we chose Louisiana lemonade in grande size. My parents ordered a fresh lemon high ball and draft beer. 

Now I will move on to the five categories.

1. taste/price

- Crab Combo Bag for 4 people: 6820 yen (includes tax)

- Louisiana lemonade in grande size: 2079 yen (includes tax)

- Texas garlic toast: 638 yen (includes tax)

- Spicy cajun french fries: 638 yen (includes tax)

- Classic Caesar salad: 968 yen (includes tax)

- fresh lemon high ball: 715 yen (includes tax)

- draft beer: 759 yen (includes tax)

The Crab Combo Bag that includes many seafood and vegetables was very delicious and enough to satisfy all of us. However, for the side dishes like the french fries and caesar salad, I don’t think the price matched the amount. It was very small so if you have more than 4 people, I recommend getting two. 

2. waiters/waitresses

Since it was Christmas, waitresses were dressed in mini black skirts and a Santa top. Waiters wore black bottoms with white bottom-up short sleeve shirts with suspenders.

3. atmosphere

As you can tell from the photo, Dancing Crab has a happy atmosphere where they’ll play trendy music that makes you want to dance or sing along. Especially when it’s time for half yard cocktail, the waitress will come around with a cart filled with cocktails to challenge you to drink half-yard! 

When my mom reserved the restaurant, she told them that it was my sister’s birthday and she also told them to store the cake in their fridge on the day. 

After we finished eating the seafood, it was time for dessert aka the cake mom bought. Suddenly, the room got darker and loud music started playing. After a while, a waitress got a microphone and said “Let’s celebrate two people whose birthday is today!” and started dancing! We had so much fun ;) 

4. service

At first, we were a little bit annoyed since we called waitresses 3 times but they all responded with “I’ll come around soon” but didn’t come for the next 10 minutes. 

However, other than that, they were nice. As I mentioned before, they let us move seats and the food and the party (birthday surprise) service was amazing!

5. facilities

I can’t tell whether the restaurant is clean since it’s dark with disco balls and only darker lights are on. Even though it’s a seafood restaurant where people get to eat from the table, the tables are clean and there is no food on the floor. Also, the toilet is very clean. 

What’s unique

about this restaurant is that you don’t get any utensils such as forks and knives. So the waitress will put a long piece of paper on the table and that is where your dish will be on. And you will get a plastic glove so you use that to eat your food. It’s messy but kind of fun! Also, you get to wear a crab headband so make sure you take a photo with it on ;)

Overall, my family enjoyed the experience there and would love to come again. I would recommend you to go during Christmas time or when you want to celebrate someone’s birthday!! If you go on your birthday, they’ll take and give you a free polaroid photo!

Food ★★★★☆

Expense ★★★☆☆

Ambiance (for a party) ★★★★★

Service ★★★★☆

Overall ★★★★☆

Costs approximately 10000 yen for four persons

Open hours: Lunch: 11:00 - 15:30 (L.O.15:00), Dinner: 17:00 - 23:00 (L.O.22:00)

Seating Capacity: 136