卓尚記 九五龍蝦 at Ikebukuro, Tokyo

Crayfish specialist and authentic Chinese near Ikebukuro's west gate, famed for thirteen-spice and numbing crawfish since 2023.

卓尚記 九五龍蝦, or Nine Five Lobster, is a Chinese crayfish specialist that opened in September 2023 on the third floor of the West Core building near Ikebukuro's west gate. The restaurant is built around crayfish - a beloved Chinese street-food staple - prepared in bold, authentic seasonings. The signature crawfish comes in styles such as 十三香, a complex thirteen-spice blend, and 麻辣, the numbing Sichuan-pepper treatment, alongside Chinese classics, hot pot and noodles. The 60-seat dining room is casual and spacious, and both takeaway and delivery are available. Hours run from 11:30 to 23:30 with no fixed closing day. Adventurous eaters looking for something genuinely different in Ikebukuro will find plenty to explore here. Roll up your sleeves, order a pile of crayfish, and discover why this regional Chinese speciality has earned a loyal following.