A roughly century-old Yushima tavern (reopened as a bar in 1924) run by the same sake-merchant family for generations, pouring a single Akita sake brand; a selection on Tabelog's Izakaya East 100 and a study in classic izakaya manners.
Inexpensive charcoal skewers including chicken and motsu (offal)
A near-century-old institution (founded 1928) at the entrance to Inokashira Park, where smoky charcoal skewers cost around 100 yen and the lantern-lit corner building is a Kichijoji landmark. It is a no-frills, often cash-only local favourite rather than a fine-dining venue.
Vegan kara-age (plant-based 'fried chicken') and vegan gyoza
A fully plant-based izakaya in the basement of Shibuya PARCO serving vegan 'fried chicken', gyoza and lemon sours, with no meat, fish, eggs, dairy or honey, so the fish-dashi trap does not apply. It is not gluten-free, as the mock-meat batters and soy sauce contain wheat.
Daily stone-milled handmade soba, charcoal skewers, tempura
The towering wooden-beamed izakaya that inspired Kill Bill's House of Blue Leaves, where lantern light conjures an Edo-era warehouse over plates of fresh soba and charcoal skewers.
Daily fresh sashimi platters from Toyosu Market
A legendary fish izakaya tucked beneath the Yurakucho railway arches since 1946, run by Brit-owner Andy who hand-picks the catch at Toyosu Market each dawn.
