After a long day outside exploring Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku, we are exhausted and decide to have our dinner somewhere near our hotel. But numerous choices of Izakayas actually makes it hard to choose. Then a young restaurant staff approaches us and recommends his restaurant, 鳥升 流石屋. Since we are at loss on where to eat, we follow him to his restaurant and secure the one last available private room.
Turns out that this Izakaya is one good surprise find. Located in a somewhat dingy place, this restaurant is of classic Izakaya set up with wooden furnishings, offering a variety of traditional Japanese Izakaya food options, such as yakitori, fried rice, salad, sashimi and, of course, beer. It definitely has the Izakaya vibe and the food here is hearty and delicious.
Service is kind of “not there” as compared to other Japanese restaurants.
Yakitori of Chicken Thigh and Tsukune (minced Chicken Meat) are both juicy, tender and well-seasoned. And brushed with yakitori sauce, we have delightful, flavourful treats to indulge. Highly recommend.
But Chicken Thigh and Tsukune can only be ordered through the “Assorted Yakitori” option, and so yakitori made with various chicken parts (not meat definitely) is also served. After a bite of other three kinds of yakitori, we ditch them because we are not used to that kind of texture and taste.
Luckily, Negima, which is chicken thigh with leek yakitori, can be ordered on its own. So one can choose this yakitori option if not wanting to get the assorted yakitori. Lightly seasoned with sea salt and lemon, the juicy meat tastes so delicious when paired with leek.
Compulsory Otoshi, in the form of pickled burdock root, is refreshing, crunchy, mildly sweet and slightly tangy, is thus great for whetting the appetite. Though note that this is chargeable.
We also get served with one of the most delicious fried rice. It is perfectly fried to retain the moisture, fluffy and starchy texture of the rice and coat each grain with oil, flavour and an iota of aroma of char. Best of all, pepper is mixed in for an extra oomph. I’m really impressed by how good the fried rice is. A must-order.
The salad is surprisingly very tasty, featuring fresh, crunchy vegetables soaked with tangy, earthy sesame sauce.
Thoughts: Dingy but Surprisingly Nice Izakaya
Japan, 〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 2 Chome−2−15 テイトビル 6階
