Tokyo's top izakaya bars - Karyn Noble
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5/21/2020 Tokyo’s top izakaya bars, Japan | Food & drink | Atlas by Etihad
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Tokyo’s top izakaya bars
With the Rugby World Cup hitting the city this month, we round up some of the best drinking dens
in the Japanese capital
Karyn Noble | September 2019
Yakitori – or meat skewers – cooking in the window of an izakaya bar
A trip to Tokyo would not be complete without visiting a traditional izakaya: a unique type of
Japanese pub that serves small plates of food with the drinks. While they were historically a little
rough around the edges, izakayas in Japan’s capital city now run the gamut from smoky, rowdy pub
vibe to modern restaurant-style minimalism. You can generally expect a tavern-type atmosphere
where drinks share equal billing with a quality menu offering morsels of both hot and cold food at
reasonable prices.
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5/21/2020 Tokyo’s top izakaya bars, Japan | Food & drink | Atlas by Etihad
01.
Kotaro
What A hard-to-find, hole-in-the-wall izakaya at the higher end of the spectrum. Near impossible
to get into due to its popularity and tiny size, but a revelation if you do.
Where In Shibuya, the nightlife hub of the city.
The vibe A buzzy mix of satisfied regulars, who’ve booked weeks ahead to sit in front of Kotaro
Hayashi’s open kitchen for some of Japan’s best small-batch sake and inventive food.
Order this Try the potesara: a signature potato salad made from two types of potato, mashed with
cucumber and topped with a soft-boiled, cherry-wood-smoked egg and mustard vinaigrette.
28-2 Sakuragaokachō, Shibuya-ku
Bourbon Street in Kamata Station, Tokyo, where many bars and izakayas are
open late
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5/21/2020 Tokyo’s top izakaya bars, Japan | Food & drink | Atlas by Etihad
02.
Joe’sMan2Go
What A slightly obscure, almost apartment-like space up a flight of stairs with a frequently
changing menu that focuses on creative seafood and sake pairings.
Where In the north of Tokyo – take the underground to Hongō-sanchōme Station.
The vibe It’s home to a casual crowd, spanning both table and counter seating, with a good-
humoured owner who is deeply passionate about providing excellent customer service.
Order this Request anything that involves a sake pairing (not every dish does, but the sake – hot
and cold – is a highlight here).
2-25-6 Taikodo Ikedaya Building, 2F, Setagaya City
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03.
Sasagin
What A great izakaya all-rounder, especially for a first-time visitor, as there’s English-language
drinks menus, it’s easy to find (just opposite Yoyogi-Uehara Station) and the quality of the food,
sake and atmosphere is higher than average but with reasonable prices.
Where Slap bang outside of the Yoyogi-Uehara Metro station in Shibuya.
The vibe It’s a very popular izakaya in a non-touristy part of Tokyo and always full of Japanese food
lovers, expats, and drinks aficionados soliciting the advice of the moustachioed sake sommelier.
Order this Go for the omakase (a set menu of dishes selected by the chef) to experience
Japanese seasonality at its best.
1-32-15 Uehara, Shibuya-ku
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In izayaka bars, grilled vegetable and meat skewers accompany large jars of
beer
04.
Tatemichiya
What This izakaya is all about the atmosphere: punk rock, to be precise. Owner Yoshiyuki Okada is
a big fan of the genre, which pushes this beyond a gimmick to a genuinely enjoyable experience,
especially for groups.
Where A few minutes from Daikan-yama Station, also in electric Shibuya.
The vibe If you’re after a slightly shambolic good time, in a smoky, rustic room drenched in
posters of The Ramones, The Sex Pistols and The Clash, and the sounds of Japanese punk rock,
this is for you.
Order this Try the yakitori to see it grilled over coals, the old-school way, which is rare in tiny
izakayas.
30-8 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku
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05.
Shin Hinomoto
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What This well-known izakaya is, unusually, run by a Brit called Andy (Shin Hinomoto translates as
“Andy’s Fish”). It benefits from his expertise: Andy has bought fish from Tsukiji Market, one of the
world’s largest fish markets, for more than 25 years.
Where The upmarket Ginza district, steps from Yūrakuchō Station.
The vibe Expect a lot of Anglophile tourists clamouring for advice in English, but locals also
frequent this cramped, boisterous space, which meets the classic definition of a jolly izakaya.
Order this Andy will definitely know what seafood is in season and freshest that day; the sashimi
platter here is the best value in town.
2-4-4 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku
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