Tokyo Quick Bite, Pariya Akasaka

Pictures of beautiful plates from Pariya have been filling my social media feed, so I was excited to meet a friend for lunch at the Pariya Asakasa Intercity AIR on a recent weekday. Pariya calls itself a delicatessen, but it is very different than your typical German or American variety. The seasonal menu changes weekly and the deli case is always filled with a selection of colorful offerings.

On a rainy day, I wandered through the Akasaka Intercity AIR building until someone directed me through an unmarked door and a bicycle parking garage to Pariya. Several other customers, including my friend, had the same issue. It turns out that there is no entrance from within the building. Luckily I was still one of the first to arrive at Pariya, and was seated at a bright table by the window. The place was soon packed with a mix of office workers and mothers with young children.

The lunch set of the week included a mixed green and kale salad, choice of 1-3 deli selections, bread, and tea or coffee (iced or hot) with free refills. I selected a great amazake (traditional alcohol fermented rice drink) dressing for my green salad; along with swordfish; hijiki, kabocha, and renkon (seaweed, winter squash, and lotus root); and a delightful orange, yellow tomato, cheese salad with nuts and herbs.

My lovely friend shared her meal with her young son, so she made her selections based what he would most enjoy. Her plate included the same hijiki, kabocha, and renkon salad; lemon honey chicken; lasagne; and risotto. The food seemed to go over well with both mother and son.

I was a big fan of the variety of healthy options and the beautiful airy space. The ever changing menu means that you can visit regularly without repetition. I’m already looking forward to my next meal at Pariya.

Details

Pariya Akasaka Intercity AIR is open from 11:30 – 23:00 on weekdays, 11:30 – 21:00 on Saturdays, and 11:30 – 18:00 on Sundays and Holidays. Pariya has an external entrance and is not readily accessed from inside the building. Walk around Akasaka Intercity AIR to the restaurant entrance. See Map. The closest subway stop is Tameike-Sanno (G6) on the Ginza Line.

Pariya also has locations in Aoyama, Shibuya, and Minato Mirai (Yokohama).