On this day, I hopped on the Seibu Shinjuku Line and made my way to the Arai Yakushi Honpo, the founding store of Yonemunya. It was a pilgrimage to a sacred place for me, as it was my first visit. I had wanted to visit this shop for a while, but my drinking buddies who live along the Shinjuku Line and I could never find a time that worked for both of us. I wonder how many Yonemunya stores there are now. You can find it by entering a narrow alley right off the station. It's a small shop, but you can feel the dignity of the main store. I arrived a little after 8 PM. It was full, so I had to wait for a bit. After about 10 minutes, a customer left and I was able to enter. I sat at the counter. There was the shop owner and a male assistant. The other customers seemed to be regulars. The cold meat dishes looked delicious, but I had already eaten quite a bit, so I decided to go light. I had two lemon sours at 390 yen each (tax included). They were cheap. I also had two orders of pork cheek and thigh at 120 yen each, chosen by the chef. There was also a seating charge of 110 yen. The lemon sours were cheap and had a refreshing taste with just the right amount of sweetness. The pork cheek was seasoned with miso and had a good texture. The thigh meat was served on skewers and was juicy and tender. The sauce was sweet and savory, and it went well with the lemon sours. I only stayed for 40 minutes, but I could see the appeal of the main store. It was small, but it definitely lived up to its reputation. Thank you for the meal.

I have loved this restaurant since a long time ago. However, I had probably never been to this particular location, so I decided to visit when I was nearby. The restaurant has a long and narrow layout, but surprisingly, it is quite spacious. My friend and I were seated at a 4-person table since we had a lot of belongings with us, even though there were seats at the counter. We started with a toast with highball cocktails. I immediately decided to order the garlic sprouts, which I have always associated with Shimonoya, and also added some chicken hearts. My friend wanted to try the sausages, which I had never heard of before. The garlic sprouts were unexpectedly not too strong in flavor, with a nice sweetness and a moderate amount of saltiness. I highly recommend trying them. We also ordered the cabbage kimchi, harami (skirt steak), and tongue. I enjoyed three glasses of plum wine with shochu, poured skillfully by the quiet bartender, who poured the last drop as if he was not even looking. The aroma of the plum wine was irresistible and paired perfectly with the yakitori. The senmai (beef intestine) was chewy with a sweet and savory sauce. The tsukune (chicken meatballs) were fluffy and a must-order item. I also tried the chire (beef tripe), which had a firm texture with a hint of bitterness, appealing to more mature palates. We added more plum wine, which was poured with precision and enthusiasm. The eschalot had a mild flavor with a punchy aroma that I loved. I recommend ordering one per person as it can cause heartburn if consumed in large quantities. The chilled liver was tender and moist, seasoned with garlic and sesame oil, making it a delightful snack. Lastly, the highlight of the meal, the simmered rice! I have been eating this dish since it was served on a shared plate, so there may be some nostalgia bias, but it is undeniably delicious. The tender simmered meat, rich but not overpowering flavor, and the gradient of rice soaked in the broth, all topped with pickled ginger and green onions. I highly recommend ordering enough for everyone to enjoy. The portion size is generous, almost like a large serving on a shared plate, so it disappears quickly. This meal ended perfectly once again. The price is around 3000 yen per person, which is quite reasonable. Whether dining alone at the counter or having a lively drinking session, this restaurant caters to all occasions. The customers at the counter seemed like regulars, having a great time with the staff. This restaurant is versatile and welcoming for any type of gathering. Smoking is allowed outside with ashtrays available.

It was mainly skewers of pork and chicken. It was very crowded, but we were able to just make it in. Each skewer was cheap, but delicious. I can see why it's so popular. Some people were ordering takeout, so I thought that might be a good idea for next time. Thank you for the meal!

Today is a complete day off and I wanted to come here for a while! This is the birthplace of the Yonmeya legend, the Arai Yakushi Main Store, which started about 20 years ago! Although there are now 44 stores nationwide, the start was here. The store has not changed, with all stores having a yellow sign. The "Yakushi Yonmeya" refers to the origin from Arai Yakushi. I confirmed in advance that they open at 13:00 on weekends. It's only 1-2 minutes from the station, both inside and outside are retro, with torn lanterns still the same as before. I just missed the first train by a minute and had to take the second one, but anyway, it feels nostalgic. The interior of the store has about 20 seats and remains the same! The scratches on the tables and the peeling paint are all still there! It feels like I've slipped back in time. First, I had a draft beer with cold skewers of guts and child's bag, and cold dishes of tongue and liver. The specialty here is definitely the cold skewers and cold dishes!! The cold guts and tongue are incredibly delicious. I've finished three draft beers. Then I had grilled tongue, heart, jaw, and tripe in succession! I've had three plum shochu drinks. Still not satisfied, I had garlic, garlic sprouts, shiitake mushrooms, edamame, guts kimchi, boiled eggs... (I can't remember the rest). Finally, I indulged in the forbidden Kinmiya shochu plum syrup!!! They only serve up to three drinks of this drunkard's drink here, even now, just like in the past! I took a sip of the first drink, two sips of the second drink, and three sips of the final drink - feeling just right. The bill came to about 9000 yen - it might be my imagination, but I feel like the main store of Yonmeya is the most delicious. I had a retro day and enjoyed it. It's a bit far, but "until we meet again." Thank you for the feast!

I visited for dinner on a Sunday evening for the first time in a while. I sat at the counter and enjoyed some drinks. - Grilled Pork Liver with Sesame Salt (110 yen per skewer including tax): The liver had a unique soft texture without any unpleasant smell, and the flavor of sesame oil paired well with the salt. The generous amount of chopped green onions added a nice touch to the skewer. - Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers (110 yen per skewer including tax): The "thigh meat" and "tsukune" were juicy and hot, with a sweet and savory sauce that made them perfect for enjoying with beer. The "shiitake mushrooms" were simple yet flavorful, offering a juicy and aromatic skewer. - Simmered Offal: This dish consisted of tender offal simmered slowly with green onions for added flavor. The root vegetables melted in your mouth, and the rich and gentle seasoning was delightful. The small portion size makes it suitable for ordering for multiple people. In addition to a few skewers and two glasses of beer and highball, the total bill came to around 2600 yen including tax.

I've never been to the main store of Yonmaya, so I have to go at least once! I felt a sense of duty and visited. The end of the visit counter was empty, probably a regular customer's seat, but there were only two customers ahead of me. Maybe that's why it was surprisingly empty. I ordered various pork skewers, such as asparagus, pork belly with salt, and negi. Everything was delicious, especially the white liver which was rich and went well with beer. I had originally planned to eat yakitori, but pork skewers are the best! The way they handle the liver must be quite labor-intensive, as I heard from someone who worked in the food industry. I bet the preparation here is also very difficult. Thinking about that made me appreciate the flavors even more. It was delicious, thank you for the meal.

Continuing from yesterday, my wife messaged the family group LINE saying, "I'm still not feeling well, so everyone should have dinner on their own tonight." Poor thing, must have caught a summer cold. In that case, I've decided to go here today! Fourmaya Arai Yakushi Main Store. This is the headquarters of the Fourmaya Group, which has over 50 locations nationwide. The main store is very small, but there is a certain nostalgic feeling as everything started from here. Since I'm dining alone, I took a seat at the counter and ordered a beer. Oh, they've switched from Black Label to Akahoshi without me noticing. As a fan of Akahoshi, I'm happy about this change. I poured the beer myself and drank it down. Ah, a beer after work is so good. When you think of Fourmaya, you think of yakitori. I tried various skewers and they were all delicious. I enjoyed about half of the skewers and then ordered a plum wine from Kanamiya. I sucked the surface tension part with my mouth, which was a unique experience. I poured the remaining plum wine into a glass and enjoyed it. The background music playing was Showa era songs, which was nice. Since I had some time, I noted down the songs that played on my phone. The atmosphere was great with songs like "Tenshi no Wink" by Seiko Matsuda and "Nagisa no Sindbad" by Pink Lady. Later, an older man (around 70 years old) sat next to me and immediately ordered a highball and Yama no Kami. He drank them quickly and then ordered a draft beer. He drank the highball as a chaser for the beer. The man didn't eat anything and quickly finished his drinks, paid, and left within 30 minutes. I think he was a great customer for the restaurant. I also finished my drinks quickly and decided to head to a restaurant I've been curious about for dinner.

At the beginning of 2021, after shopping at Sugi Pharmacy, I walked over to Shimon'ya Yakushi Honten for my first visit. Despite having yakitori izakaya restaurants on both sides, this main store seemed to be the most lively. I washed my hands at the storefront before entering the shop. I secured a seat in the corner of the counter and placed my order. - Red Star beer in a glass, nice and cold. They didn't have large bottles available. No appetizers were served. - The liver skewers start at 100 yen. The sauce was lightly sweet, and the portion size was satisfying. - The harami (skirt steak) with green onions was served with salt, giving off a meaty vibe. - The gatsu kimchi was spicier than expected, a true authentic taste. It lacked vegetables, so maybe the napa cabbage kimchi would have been better. The whole experience took about 15 minutes, and I settled the bill with cash. There was a group with children at a table nearby discussing "Yu Yu Hakusho" (self-restraint).

Suddenly called upon by a friend for a daytime drinking session! What we had here were: - Liver with sesame salt from Yonmonya, a must-order dish. - Cold pork platter with 3 types: tongue, heart, and skirt. Each piece was delicious, and with 3 pieces each, there was no need for a fight even with 3 people dining together. - Cartilage with ponzu sauce, a refreshing and tender dish that was surprisingly generous in portion. - Pork belly miso pickles, head miso, and thigh miso dip. These choices from the recommended menu were unique and tasty, different from the miso sauce at Akimoto-ya. - Simmered rice, ordered by a friend craving carbohydrates. It was delicious, but best to eat it quickly before the fat solidifies when it cools down. - Simmered egg, possibly a topping for the rice dish. - Daikon radish with vinegar soy sauce, more vinegary and tasty compared to the last time. For drinks, we started with bottled beer and then switched to grapefruit highball. It was a fun and enjoyable meal!

When I messaged Chee in the morning, they invited me for a day drink! So grateful ( ᵒ̴̶̷᷄꒳ᵒ̴̶̷᷅ ) We've been in touch and met up a few times, but haven't talked much lately. Well, I mostly just listened to Nana talking, haha. Cheers with a highball♪(*^^)o∀*∀o(^^*)♪ We had: ☆Rare liver with sesame salt - delicious! ☆Cold pork platter with tongue, heart, and skirt - all tasty, especially the skirt with a nice meaty texture. ☆Cartilage with ponzu sauce - so tender and tasty! ☆Pork belly miso marinade - juicy and flavorful. ☆Soft head miso - tender and flavorful. ☆Thigh miso dip - tasty! ☆Simmered rice ☆Simmered egg I don't remember much towards the end, but everything was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

Today's walk was towards Arai Yakushi Station. Due to the underground construction at the north exit of Seibu Shinjuku Line Numabukuro Station, it has moved 100m towards Arai Yakushi Station, and the north exit of Arai Yakushi Station has also moved 100m towards Numabukuro Station, making these two stations the closest they have ever been. As a reward for my walk, I visited Yonmaya Honpo. Here's what I had: - Liver with sesame salt: A delicious dish that I always have when I visit Yonmaya. The Negidaku is always reliable. - Jagabata: This was recommended on the blackboard menu. It was so delicious that I wish it was a regular menu item! - Daikon with vinegar and soy sauce: I usually order the Tochio-age (small) as an additional order, but unfortunately it was not available that day. I always order the same menu items, so I was a bit lost this time. After staring at the menu, I remembered the daikon with vinegar and soy sauce that the healthy housewife members often order. It was refreshing and perfect for a hot day! - I also had two glasses of Grapefruit High (without carbonation). It's been a while since I visited Yonmaya, and it was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

In the end, it can be said that this group is stable overall. However, there may be differences depending on the person cooking, but it's not a significant impact in my opinion. The half-cooked liver is still the same quality as before, and the price is unbelievable. Personally, I think the cold liver has a subtle texture. I wonder if they can make a profit selling the Guts Kimchi for 100 yen. It's something you could eat for a lifetime. If they keep serving like this, they will be unbeatable. Thank you for the meal.

Four Monya is a place I always stop by for a quick drink. Sometimes it's full and you can't get in, which is a sign to not drink there ^_^ Today I stopped by for a quick drink. I had an oolong highball and raw meat, tongue, heart, pig's head, and pig feet. I really wanted to have raw meat here. They said the supply of sashimi is still delayed due to the typhoon. The pig feet with Tabasco ketchup as a side dish is a nice accent. It's perfect for gulping down. Some people even prefer to take the grilled tongue home. Grilled tongue with salt is irresistible. Four Monya is cost-effective. Thank you for the meal as always!

I finally visited Yomonya Honpo at Arai Yakushi, which now dominates the b-grade retro izakaya scene in Tokyo. It was almost full even before 4:00 PM. It seems there are plenty of people who love drinking in this world. I started with a highball at 400 yen and ordered the usual steak at 350 yen, along with chicken thigh, pork liver, and white innards in sauce. The liver was delicious but lacked thickness, the white innards still had a hint of hormone smell so I'd prefer them in a stew. The chicken thigh was juicy and paired well with the sauce. The steak was cooked medium-rare and went well with the green onions, but the daikon radish and garlic sauce was delicious, so be sure to try it. The pickled yam was satisfying even with a full stomach. The cold meat platter, a specialty of Yomonya, includes tongue, skirt steak, and liver, which go well with garlic, ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. It's not because it's the main store, but Yomonya is a great place that combines the best of everything.

I visited the restaurant on Sunday at 4 pm after a long time. By 4 pm, 80% of the seats were already taken, and I was guided to a two-person table at the back. - Yakitori Grilled Pork Liver with Sesame Salt: This skewer has a unique texture of liver without any unpleasant smell, complemented by the flavor of sesame oil and salt. The generous amount of chopped green onions adds to its charm. It's my favorite skewer. - Yakitori Grilled Pork Head: Juicy with a satisfying chewiness, the more you chew, the more you can enjoy the umami flavor. A menu that highlights the characteristics of pork. - Vegetable Skewer: A skewer that allows you to enjoy the deliciousness of vegetable ingredients. I tried the green onions and pumpkin skewers. - Motsu Nabe (Tripe Stew with Tofu): Soft tripe stewed slowly and served with plenty of green onions. The melting root vegetables, rich and gentle seasoning are its charm. The small size makes it suitable for ordering for multiple people. In addition, I also had yakitori, bottled beer, and highball.

A cozy izakaya that's easy for solo diners to visit. Today I went to the main store. It gets pretty crowded on Fridays. I eagerly took a seat at the end of the counter. They warmly welcomed me as always. I quietly sipped on a highball. The cold assorted plate was beautifully arranged with tongue, heart, and skirt meat on top. Eating it with garlic, ginger, and wasabi makes my cheeks relax. Today, I ordered a half portion of pig's feet as well. I love the tenderness of the simmered meat. I also took home some grilled pork tongue as a souvenir. Thank you as always. Another delicious meal today! ^_^

Usually, I drink with my drinking buddy in Kansai, but he came to Tokyo for work. He stayed at my Tokyo home and we had a drink at Arai Yakushi-mae, where he used to live until elementary school. He was feeling nostalgic as he walked around the neighborhood where he used to live. We decided to explore and stumbled upon Yonmaya, a historic-looking place in a shopping street alley. It was only 5:30 PM and the place was about 20% full. We ordered some draft beer and found out that Yonmaya has branches in Tokyo and other places. We felt lucky to have found the main branch by chance. We ordered various skewers like liver, white meat, skin, tongue, and cartilage. The liver was fresh and not too gamey, with a juicy texture and perfect saltiness. The white meat was my favorite, with a crunchy texture and oozing fat. We ran out of beer and ordered their original highball. The other skewers were also delicious, showing the importance of fresh ingredients for offal dishes. We also tried the pig's feet and asparagus, both of which were tasty. The pig's feet were cooked in sweet miso, giving them a tender texture. The asparagus was thick and sweet. The place filled up quickly, with customers coming and going. Most people seemed to drink quickly and leave. We stayed for about an hour and a half before leaving. I'm glad I live near the Seibu Line! I'll definitely come back again. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I visited the restaurant alone on Saturday around 5pm. Surprisingly, all the counter seats were empty, so I could sit comfortably. I ordered the following dishes: - Motsu (tripe) stew (350 yen excluding tax): Tender motsu stewed slowly with plenty of green onions. The rich and flavorful motsu paired perfectly with beer. - Grilled pork liver skewer with salt (100 yen excluding tax): The unique texture of pork liver with the flavor of sesame oil and salt. Enjoyed with plenty of green onions. - Grilled pork cheek, heart, and diaphragm skewers (each 100 yen excluding tax): These skewers have a satisfying texture and are juicy. In addition, I also had a seating fee of 100 yen and a draft beer (500 yen excluding tax), totaling 1458 yen.

Fourmaya is steadily expanding its influence in Nishi-Tokyo, with its main store located at the Arai Yakushi store. It is just a 1-minute walk from Arai Yakushi-mae Station. The name "Fourmaya" comes from the term "four mon" which means cheap or light in Japanese. Indeed, it is a cost-effective restaurant that offers skewers for around 100 yen each. The store has a typical cheap izakaya feel, with a small capacity of about 20 people, and even makeshift tables outside. The main store of Fourmaya is quite different from what one might imagine, and may be a bit underwhelming. The staff consists of two young men wearing black towels on their heads. They serve bottled beer in medium-sized bottles, as well as a sweet and flavorful beef tripe stew. The skewers are served on aluminum plates. The liver skewer is generously topped with plenty of green onions, sesame oil, and salt, and is cooked rare, reminiscent of liver sashimi. The cow's stomach skewer is hot and chewy. The counter seats right in front of the grill are hot, and the chilled harami (skirt steak) has been boiled just right and then chilled, giving it a sashimi-like texture. The highball is served with Tenba's plum mix, and the thinly sliced daikon radish with vinegar and soy sauce helps cut through the fat of the grilled meats. The prices for the dishes are surprisingly cheap, making one wonder if they only make profits from alcohol sales.

- Tongue 5.0 - Cheek 5.0 - White meat 5.0 - Liver 5.0 - Cartilage 4.0 - Guts 4.0 - Small bag 4.0 - Chicken wings 5.0 - Thigh 5.0 - Skin 5.0 - Meatball 5.0 - Chile 5.0 - Toro 4.5 - Throat 5.0 - Chicken wings with green onions 5.0 - Striped intestine 5.0 - Cold Guts skewer 5.0 - Cold small bag skewer 5.0 - Smoked pork cold plate (Tongue, Heart, Cheek) 3.5 - Liver and green onion salt skewer 5.0 - Potato salad 4.0 - Rare beef steak 4.0 - Chicken skin with ponzu sauce 5.0

I visited Shimonoya, a local restaurant that is gaining popularity nationwide, for the first time! I went just before closing time and was able to enter easily. I was so hungry that I only have this one photo, but I ate quite a lot. The cost performance is excellent as expected (^-^) I especially liked the simmered pig's feet. The cartilage, white meat, and tendon were all delicious. The one with umeboshi extract in Kinmiya was tasty but strong (lol) Thank you for the meal. I will visit again!