We picked several famous bars in Tokyo and visited a place called "Izumi" in Edogawabashi. The exterior is perfect, no words needed. At night, it looks like this. Established in 1978, the atmosphere inside is like a Showa-era bar. The counter seats are on the left side, and there are table seats in the back. When we arrived at 5:50 PM, about 60% of the seats were taken. The ambiance is truly that of a Showa-era bar. There are also tatami seats in the back, but they are not sunken kotatsu-style, so it might be uncomfortable for long periods. By 6:30 PM, all seats, including the tatami area, were full. It's a very popular place. It's great that reservations are available. Despite being packed and having a great bar atmosphere, everyone was quietly enjoying themselves. The staff consists of an elderly chef in the kitchen and, I'm not sure, but a young man, possibly his son. There was also a lady who seemed to be the wife of the chef. They managed the place with just three people. There are posters and signatures from Yoshida Rui's "Sakaba Hourouki" show, which aired in 2009. The place was also featured on a KinKi Kids program. The table setup includes salt and soy sauce. The menu is not at hand but displayed on the walls. There are many bar-style dishes at reasonable prices, giving it a unique touch compared to typical chain restaurants. We ordered a bottle of beer (650 yen), Kamogane Kinhidaka Junmai (720 yen) / Suigei (620 yen) sake, and a shochu Kinmiya (270 yen) with shikuwasa (220 yen). The base for the chuhai was Kinmiya, and you can order inside and outside separately. When we called for service, the staff addressed us by name, which was a level of service akin to JAL's business class. The dishes were served on a silver tray reminiscent of school lunches. The appetizer was a flavorful cucumber. We tried 10 dishes, including chicken heart and leek stir-fry, natural flounder liver with soy sauce, conger eel tempura, chicken fried, grilled squid liver, sashimi-style horse mackerel fry, rare chicken liver sashimi with special onion sauce, corn tempura, leaf wasabi cheese tofu, and pickled mustard leaf fried rice. Each dish was expertly prepared and unique.

Edogawabashi Izumi is an izakaya near Edogawabashi Station along the Kanda River. I met up with friends who were already inside the restaurant. I remembered enjoying some unique dishes during my last visit in February. My friends who were already drinking seemed to be in a good mood. I ordered a highball and looked at the menu to decide on some snacks. I chose the corn tempura from the blackboard menu. It might be early for corn to be in season, but I've been seeing it in supermarkets, so maybe corn season has started. The tempura had a nice texture with a rich sweetness. It was firm yet soft, and the texture was surprisingly light. My friends had ordered bonito, but when the bonito tataki arrived, they realized it was a different dish. The bonito with garlic was delicious. I then ordered the rolled omelette from the menu, which had a crispy texture. Next, I tried the tempura of myoga and eggplant from the blackboard menu. The myoga had a refreshing taste and a crunchy texture, while the eggplant had a sweet and juicy flavor. As the party guests left, the atmosphere in the restaurant became more relaxed, allowing me to enjoy my drink slowly.

A friend from Nagoya came to visit. We decided to have a drink at Edogawa Bridge. The appetizers were grated yam with okra, already seasoned and ready to eat. The flavor was just right, with a perfect balance of saltiness. Although there was also fried chicken, the sesame oil chicken caught my eye. The menu had many choices, all of which looked appealing. The long, thin pieces of chicken were crispy and coated in a flavorful sauce. The bitterness of the watercress added a nice touch. We also tried wasabi tofu, serving it on crackers like canapés. The wasabi flavor was not too overpowering, perhaps due to the sweetness of the crackers. The ham cutlet was thick and satisfying, with a generous portion of breading. We ordered the grey mullet sashimi, a rare delicacy that was light and tender. This restaurant is known for its fish dishes, including a bone sake made from sea bream and flounder bones. The fatty sardine sashimi was incredibly smooth and paired well with Japanese sake. We couldn't resist trying the conger eel tempura, which had a crispy texture. The sweet potatoes and pumpkins added a comforting touch. They also offered various hot pot options and a wide range of other dishes. This place is definitely worth exploring.

Yoshida Rui-san also used to frequent Izumi, a izakaya where every dish is truly outstanding and could be described as exquisite. The chicken liver sashimi was incredibly creamy, the beef tendon stew was tender and flavorful, and the grilled sardine with plum was a revelation in taste. However, the most impressive was the bone sake, which was more delicious than any other sake I've ever had. It was wonderfully fragrant and delicious - truly a delight! It was so delicious - thank you for the meal.

Around 6:00 PM on Saturday, we had a reservation in Bunkyo-ku, Suidobashi. It's about a 5-minute walk from Edogawabashi Station, crossing the river. We were aiming for a cozy izakaya with a gourmet couple. The restaurant is located on the 1st floor of a riverside apartment building with a red lantern at the entrance. Inside, there is a counter on the left, a few tables for 4 people in the middle, and a spacious tatami room at the back. Even though they opened at 5:00 PM, the counter and tables were almost full. Shortly after, including the tatami room, the restaurant was almost at full capacity, and the floor manager, a busy mother, was rushing around. In between her busy moments, we ordered the following: - Red Star bottled beer (medium size) for 650 yen - Kagoshima Kanemitsu Natsujunmai (summer pure rice) for 720 yen - Suigei for 620 yen - Chicken heart and leek stir-fry for 500 yen - Natural flounder liver with soy sauce for 750 yen - Fried horse mackerel for sashimi for 750 yen - Chicken tempura for 530 yen - Grilled squid liver for 880 yen - Hamo (pike conger) tempura for 850 yen - Tempura corn for 500 yen - Chicken liver sashimi with special green onion sauce for 530 yen - Takana (mustard greens) fried rice for 680 yen - Wasabi leaf cheese tofu for 620 yen - Cucumber with spicy chili pepper for the appetizer There were many dishes, so please refer to the photos for details. However, the chicken heart and leek stir-fry that arrived first was incredibly delicious. I can't quite put my finger on what makes it different, but the sauce's deliciousness was surprisingly impactful. The flounder liver with soy sauce that came next was also wonderfully matured and sticky, showing great skill. The fried dishes were consistently tasty, especially the chicken tempura, which had a perfect balance of meat flavor, texture, and exquisite seasoning that I really enjoyed. The mother was handling the large floor almost by herself that day, so it took quite a bit of time for orders and service. Nevertheless, she remembered the names of the reserved guests and called them out, apologized for the delays in taking orders, and her thoughtfulness was greatly appreciated and wonderful. Everything we ate was delicious, the laid-back Showa-era atmosphere was nice, and it's no wonder that Mr. Tona has visited four times already. The portion sizes are a bit large for one person, so I'd like to come back with someone else soon as I still want to try other dishes. Thank you very much for the wonderful meal.

A nice old-fashioned izakaya with good beer, hoppy, fresh sashimi of Sanriku octopus, chicken liver, stir-fried cabbage and scallops, and more. Everything tastes great. The mother's service is friendly and makes it easy to relax. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of everything except the octopus. I will definitely go back again.

Gourmet dinner with my boss♪ He took me to a lovely restaurant with beautiful red lanterns for Christmas, and I took full advantage of his kind offer. The atmosphere was amazing with vintage red lanterns and a menu written on a blackboard with lots of colorful paper strips hanging around. I love this kind of setup! I enjoyed drinks like Yuzu Sour (580), dishes like Chicken Karaage (530), Rare Chicken Liver Sashimi with Special Onion Sauce (530), Camembert Cheese Fries (590), Bacon Steak (890), Stir-Fried Udon (380), Shrimp Mayo (750), Oil-Blanched Chicken (680), Cucumber and Myoga Salted Salad (349), Grilled Sea Bream Head (680). It's Christmas, but you don't need to dress up in high heels or be perfectly groomed. You can enjoy a relaxed and chic atmosphere with simple conversations, delicious snacks, and drinks. The Chicken Liver Sashimi was particularly amazing, like a smooth and rich pate that was irresistibly delicious. The size was also satisfying, making it a high-quality dish.

The menu posted on one wall and Yoshida Rui's autograph create a casual atmosphere that is typical of a popular izakaya. When visiting a popular izakaya, it's easy to reach for grilled or fried dishes, but Izumi's sashimi is truly delicious. The prices are reasonable. They also offer a good selection of sake, including some higher-priced options that are worth it.

This is a popular izakaya in Edogawabashi that I often visit. I realized that I had forgotten to write a review until now. This time, I had grilled eggplant, stir-fried water spinach, and salt-grilled fish eyes, among other dishes. The grilled eggplant was delicious! They used a greenish eggplant instead of the usual purple one. The flesh of the eggplant was meltingly tender with a rich flavor. I was so impressed that I wanted to ask about the variety of eggplant they used. They always have some sake that is not on the menu, so I asked and found out that they had my favorite Kamonishiki Tokubetsu Junmai Hiyaoroshi that day. It was a rich and flavorful pure rice Daiginjo with a hint of sweetness from the rice. It was so delicious that I could have just enjoyed the sake on its own without any snacks. I will definitely visit again!

I came to Izumi, a popular Japanese pub in Edogawabashi. I ordered a large draft beer. The namerou was rich in flavor and had a sticky texture. The nanjya monja salad was piled high and had a strong impact. It was full of cabbage and had a sauce that reminded me of monja. There was also a hidden flavor of Baby Star. The sashimi-style horse mackerel fry was crispy and had a soft, gentle texture. The grilled chicken liver with special negi sauce and stir-fried water spinach were also delicious. No matter what you order, you can enjoy consistently good food here. Sake is served in glasses, and I had multiple refills of various types of sake. It's a casual place where you can easily drop by for a drink.

During the day, I happened to pass by and saw a takeout menu displayed outside... It was very convenient. I decided to give it a try right away. The takeout service covers almost all the menu items displayed inside the restaurant. I ordered the oil-splashed chicken, marinated horse mackerel, and sautéed liver. I enjoyed them at home. Thank you for the delicious meal! It's recommended to order by phone and then pick up. The detailed menu is also posted on the restaurant's Facebook page.

The blackboard menu hanging in the back of the kitchen makes me ponder. The handwritten items are so enticing. Items like "Fresh Firefly Squid" and "Yellowtail Sashimi with Fatty Tuna" in the fish-focused lineup make my heart leap. And amidst the fish dishes, there comes a Chinese dish that catches our attention. Passing by our table several times was the luxurious mapo tofu served on a shallow large plate. The promotional effect was strong, and we ended up ordering it. The restaurant has counter seating, tables, and even a small raised area that can accommodate around 15 people. It seems like it would be fun to have a party or gathering here. The smiles of the middle-aged men who were drinking in that space really sealed the deal. - Fresh Firefly Squid @480 yen - Pickled Mackerel @500 yen - Vinegared Sardine @580 yen - Grilled Skewers of Sardine with Ume Plum @650 yen - Breaded and Fried Horse Mackerel for Sashimi @680 yen - Stir-fried Heart and Leek @480 yen - Luxurious Mapo Tofu @750 yen - Salted Radish @350 yen - Hoppy Set (White) @500 yen - Shochu: Kinmiya

Blog: Izumi Izakaya (Edogawa-bashi) Theme: New Seasonal Firefly Squid, Shishamo Namero, Shime Saba / Salt-Pickled Rakkyo / Stir-Fried Heart Leeks with Salt / Fried Horse Mackerel for Sashimi / Grilled Mackerel with Ume Paste Skewers / Deluxe Mapo Tofu

Feeling like I've come back home to my parents' house, I sip on some sake while pondering over the lineup of dishes on the blackboard menu. This relaxing moment is surely what they mean by a comforting time. If you come here, you'll definitely want to enjoy the seasonal fish dishes, but there are also plenty of other menu options to choose from, making it a safe choice for inviting people. They have table seating and sunken kotatsu-style seating, making it great for parties as well. - Meat and Tofu Stew @ 600 yen: It seems to be simmered after ordering. The ingredients all have a dignified appearance and a light flavor. On the other hand, the sweetness of the stew is strong, creating a nice contrast. - Cod Milt with Ponzu Sauce @ 580 yen: A large and impressive cod milt that is firm and creamy. It's simply delicious. The tangy ponzu sauce is a good accent. - Fried Horse Mackerel for Sashimi @ 680 yen: Thick and fresh slices of mackerel. The moisture oozing with oil is satisfying. - Shinsei Lapis Sake @ 980 yen - Complimentary appetizer - Featured on "Yoshida Rui's Sake Bar Wanderings"

I visited Izumi, an izakaya, because I heard that the TV personality Yoshida Rui sometimes comes here. It has a cozy and homey atmosphere, and I felt comfortable there. I realized I hadn't eaten Pacific saury in a while, so I focused on dishes featuring it. I had fresh Pacific saury sashimi for ¥580, spicy hormone stir-fry for ¥580, salt-grilled Pacific saury for ¥500, grilled wiener (forgot the price!), and luxurious mapo tofu for ¥690. Everything tasted like homemade cooking and was delicious. Plus, it was affordable. I definitely want to visit this place again. ❤️ #Izumi #BarWanderingRecord #YoshidaRui #FreshPacificSaury #Sashimi #EdogawabashiGourmet

An izakaya along the Kanda River in Edogawabashi. The interior has a real traditional feel with photos from Yoshida Ru's "Sakaba Hourouki" show. Went on a weeknight and it was moderately busy. The appetizer was daikon and thick fried tofu in oden. Slightly cold but flavorful and delicious. Sashimi was tuna, octopus, and horse mackerel. Surprisingly fresh. The fried chicken was firm but not my favorite. Shirako was creamy and slightly sweet, with maybe too many toppings. The fried fish (not sure if it was horse mackerel) had a slightly greasy coating but a nice crispiness. The mapo tofu was like a mix of everything - tofu, eggplant, and glass noodles. Not spicy but interesting. The highlight was the wide variety of affordable sake options. Enjoyed the fresh Nisshinshu Shinnen Junmai Shiboritate and others like No.6 and Tatenokawa. Really great selection of sake.

Namero (minced fish), Tanaka ginger, octopus with mustard, assorted sashimi (cured mackerel, sea bream, tuna), grilled salted fish eyes, stir-fried new cabbage and dried baby sardines, with perilla leaf seasoning. Delicious!

I had a great time at this place with my former colleagues for a drinking party. The counter seats were very comfortable, and I enjoyed sipping warm sake alone. The sashimi and tempura were delicious. These moments are precious.

It is a lively izakaya with a wide variety of dishes. On busy days, the service may be a bit slow, but overall it is a satisfying place. They have the capacity to fulfill your cravings when you feel like eating something specific.

This is a restaurant that was also visited by Yoshida Rui in his show "Sakaba Hourouki."