Homura 穂むら

Kamiosaki, Shinagawa City Tokyo-to 2-15-5

https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1316/A131601/13013213/

This is an izakaya that isn’t like any other. With a very small kitchen staff running it, it’s not somewhere you expect to eat a quick dinner on the way back home. It’s a place you go to relax after a long day and enjoy time to spend savouring a delicious meal. There is a set of sashimi, soup and small plates that every customer receives as an hors d’oeuvre as they arrive, which eases you in perfectly accompanied with a drink.

The menu changes daily, each dish costing anywhere from around ¥500 to ¥2000. There are simple dishes like tamagoyaki, a Japanese omelette, as well as nabe (hotpot) style dishes, fried dishes and noodle/rice dishes too. All presented with elegance and grace, but packed with flavour and some kind of original twist.

Although this izakaya is not a place most wallet-friendly, for the quality, it is worth every penny. It may also be worth noting that it is not a place many non-Japanese people know, it may be actually easier to navigate the menu with a Japanese speaker! Very close to Meguro station, it is very easily accessible, and looks appealing outside and in- there are also private rooms even for small parties of four.

Funabashiya 船橋屋

3-28-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
1-5-1 Shin-Marunouchi Building, Chiyoda-ku

With the original restaurant in the centre of Shinjuku, and another in the Shin-Marunouchi building, this tempura restaurant is fantastic in every way.

The freshest fish fried in top quality oil, with the fish options changing season to season, the taste of this tempura reminds you of the tastes that one can only find in Japan. Even the vegetables are fried in the batter to perfection, with the proportions just right, creating the ideal texture.

There are many set menu options available, prices starting quite low (around ¥1560), going upwards into the options of having courses. It is also possible to just order what you want (okonomi), which might be ideal for groups dining at the counter with different appetites and speeds. Sit at the counter (which you can also request upon reserving), and you can watch everything going on and admire how fresh the fish is.

Go, especially if you are trying real tempura for the first time. I guarantee you it will be a special meal.

Menya Cocoro 麺屋こころ

3-6-9 Minamisenzoku, Ota-ku (Ookayama)
3-20-4 Kandaogawamachi, Chiyoda-ku (Ochanomizu)
2-21-7 Nishiwaseda, Shinjuku-ku (Takadanobaba)
7-69-1 Tokyu Plaza 1F, Nishikamata, Ota-ku (Kamata)
1-9-11 Umegaoka, Setagaya-ku (Umegaoka)
1-11 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku (Kagurazaka)
3-1 Kanda Sakumacho, Chiyoda-ku (Akihabara)

www.menya-cocoro.com

Rumour has it, these Taiwan-style noodles aren't even Taiwanese. Although the dish itself is called 'Taiwan mazesoba', it comes from the fact that the spicy, soy sauce-based minced meat that is the main topping is derived from Taiwan. The noodles sit beneath an array of toppings, including a raw egg yolk on top, is soupless and is designed to be all stirred up vigorously.

This popular chain has spread to various locations in Tokyo, as well as in other cities in Japan. You should definitely expect to queue, but all considerate noodle-eaters know that one should not linger too long in this type of eatery after finishing your meal, so the wait shouldn't be all that bad.

The ordering system is a classic Japanese ramen-ya style; select what you want from the vending machine, choose any additional toppings and collect your ticket and wait shortly until your food arrives.

There is a choice of various portions of noodles and toppings, options for everyone, really. There is also the option for a very meaty mazesoba as well as regular ramen in soup.

They advise that you leave the leftover sauce at the bottom of your bowl to ask for rice (no cost) so that you can enjoy every last drop of the deliciously rich and punchy flavour soaked up in the rice.

Don't expect it to be a social place, more a quick and cheap, but hearty meal like most ramen places in Japan.

Awai 旬炉

6-31-18 Okusawa Setagaya Tokyo (Jiyugaoka)

www.awaijiyugaoka.com

There are many izakayas (Japanese gastropub/bar) in Tokyo, and in particular this area, with different vibes and atmospheres, and this is definitely one that falls into the sophisticated type. From the shop layout to the beautiful presentation of the food, it is the kind of place that seems that it would pride itself on presentation.

Like many izakaya restaurants in Japan, the best place to sit is naturally, at the bar where you watch everything being made fresh right in front of you. The yakitori grilled chicken stewers are always a great choice, as well as the fresh fish that changes daily as well as seasonally.

There are some unusual dishes on the menu, but also the classic dishes you would hope and expect for in Japan to enjoy with your sake.

There's not much to love about this place. The setting, the atmosphere and above all, the immaculate food. I would find it a place to be very soothing to come after a long day's work.