On June 2nd, 2019 at 7:30 pm, I visited a restaurant with two floors, with the second floor having tatami mats. I had to sit cross-legged, but the atmosphere was calming. It was not crowded, probably because it was a Sunday night. The restaurant seemed old and traditional. The food was cheap and delicious. If there was a restaurant like this in my neighborhood, I would definitely become a regular customer. It's a great place to go alone, with family, or with close friends. I recommend trying the beer, either in a set of 5 (with salt) or 7 (with salt/soy sauce). The saltiness is just right, not overpowering. The butter-grilled tofu had a subtle buttery flavor that was delightful. The deep-fried taro was incredibly tasty. The mixed rice dish was very delicious, with just the right amount of flavor. The red miso soup was simply delicious.

The Kama-meshi was delicious!

On May 5, 2016, I received an invitation from a drinking buddy to go out for a meal, and we decided to change it to a drinking session as my stomach was craving ramen. The location chosen was Shimokitazawa, where my friend lives. It was my first time drinking in Shimokitazawa, and I honestly thought there was nothing in the area besides ramen. But as expected in Tokyo, as I walked around, I saw various signs and lanterns here and there. The place my friend introduced me to was "Torishin." The exterior was impressive, with a showcase of Japanese sake and a window for takeout, or maybe just smoke. There was also a worn-out Noren hanging at the entrance. I would have definitely been drawn in if I had been walking alone. I was intrigued by the glowing sign outside that read "Kamameshi," which was quite unusual. Inside the restaurant, I sat at the counter, which had only two seats at a time. There was also a tatami room on the second floor. The cozy atmosphere was lovely. I started with a large beer, which I hadn't seen in a while. The appetizer was macaroni salad, which helped me relax. The staff seemed like a family or maybe a couple with a part-time worker. Their bustling around added to the charming izakaya ambiance. This is how an izakaya should be! It made me realize that I should have come alone. For the first order, we got five skewers, grated yam, fried taro, and chicken wings with ponzu sauce. The skewers were marinated according to my friend's preference, which was a bit disappointing for me. From right to left: chicken thigh, green onion and chicken, grilled chicken, liver, and meatball. The chicken thigh was sandwiched with shishito pepper. The skewers were cooked to perfection and had a sweet and savory sauce. Personally, I prefer the meat and sauce to be a bit rarer. But it was still delicious and went well with beer. I was curious about the fried taro, and there were other unique items on the menu like burdock kimchi tempura and ginger pork with eggplant. But today, we tried the fried taro. It looked like a beautifully white-coated dumpling, with a dollop of mustard on the side. I cautiously cut it in half to avoid burning my tongue and found the inside to be soft and gooey. It was delicious. I'm not sure what makes it fried taro, but as long as it tastes good, who cares? The chicken wings with ponzu sauce were also delicious, with tender meat that fell off the bone. It was braised to perfection, making it easy to eat without using your hands. While enjoying my fourth beer, it was time to move on. I almost forgot one more thing - the "kamameshi." It was our first time trying it, so we went with the most popular option, the chicken kamameshi. It arrived in a well-used pot, looking more like a minced rice ball than traditional kamameshi. I wasn't sure what to expect from kamameshi, as I rarely come across it. I scooped some out and tasted it. It had a rich and sweet flavor. It was delicious, but I couldn't help but wonder if this was what kamameshi was supposed to be like. Maybe it's supposed to be turned into ochazuke with dashi, or wait, isn't that just hitsumabushi? Oh well, as long as it tastes good, that's all that matters. I finished my beer, and we moved on to the next place for more drinks. I would like to come back alone next time and casually drop by. The first floor only accommodates one or two guests at a time, yet it was full, yet quiet. It's a cliché, but it truly made me forget about the hustle and bustle of the city. That's the charm of a local izakaya. Thank you for the meal.

I decided to visit this restaurant for dinner alone. I considered going to a yakiniku or Chinese restaurant, but I felt like drinking sake on the weekend, so I chose this place. I started with an appetizer and some sake. The appetizer was potato salad. For my main dishes, I ordered pickles, simmered dish, and 6 pieces of yakitori. I started with the simmered dish. I thought it would come in a small bowl, but it was served in a large iron pot with a lot of daikon radish and konjac. Then the yakitori arrived. I chose wasabi to go with the salt-flavored yakitori. It was delicious! The sake went well with the food. The pickled vegetables were also tasty. I enjoyed drinking sake from a large sake bottle and left when the restaurant started to get crowded. Thank you for the meal.

I used to live near the shop, so I often visit. It's a family-run yakitori restaurant that also serves kama-meshi. I enjoy coming here alone for yakitori, snacks, and beer, or with colleagues and friends for a lively time. The shop has many regular customers, so it's clear that it's been loved by the locals for a long time. I like the friendly atmosphere where customers are called by their names. The prices are reasonable and the ice-cold beer in a frosted mug is a treat. The yakitori skewers are generously sized and satisfying. There's a tatami room on the second floor that can accommodate around 30 people, making it a great choice for large gatherings. I look forward to visiting again. Thank you!

When it comes to yakitori and kama-meshi, "Ginza Torigin" is famous, but in Kami-Kitazawa, it's "Torishin". The menu and signboard are similar to Torigin, so when asked, it seems that the owner trained at Torigin. This makes you want to compare Torigin, but Torishin, which has become independent from Torigin, does not lose in taste. Moreover, they have a variety of local sake, so the drinks are also great. The restaurant may seem small, but actually has a second floor with tatami seating, making it convenient for large groups and parties. You can find past visit records here: http://kmktzw.seesaa.net/tag/%92%B9%82%B5%82%F1

The restaurant is located in a narrow shopping street between the north exit of Kita-Senzawa Station and Summit. It may be easy to overlook due to the small shops lining the street. The shop has a quaint, homey atmosphere despite its aged appearance. The first floor has a counter, while the second floor has tatami seating with a TV for a relaxing experience. It would be suitable for private parties as well. Just be cautious as the stairs are narrow, so be mindful when bringing elderly or young children. The skewers have a unique, deep flavor in the sauce that is captivating with just the right balance of sweetness and richness. Even when eaten with salt, the deliciousness of the chicken stands out. The kamameshi is a satisfying portion with a variety of ingredients and a perfect crispy layer. The red miso soup was also excellent. The tofu steak, grilled on an iron plate, makes for a great appetizer. There is a good selection of sake, shochu, and various cocktails, including options for women such as sours. I was able to feel satisfied with a low cost by filling up on kamameshi and grilled dishes. It would have been nice to have a small dessert option as well.

It's a bit hard to find, but it's located on a narrow street lined with shops like "Shinkyu," "Tonkatsu Taro," and "Ishibashi," near the Summit store after exiting the north exit of Kichijoji Station on the Keio Line. It's next to the Chinese restaurant "Shinshoan." The interior of the restaurant is quite small, but there are also tatami rooms on the second floor (I only used the counter seats on the first floor). It's a popular place and quite crowded. In addition to yakitori, the restaurant is known for its delicious kamameshi, which is moist and tasty. I always ordered it when I visited this restaurant. There are several types of kamameshi depending on the ingredients, but I recommend the traditional chicken kamameshi. In addition, there are also some dishes that go well with alcohol, so this restaurant is recommended for those who want to focus on drinking.

Bird Mountain Vegetable Kamameshi and Pickles in August 2019.

Someroku: =========== 染五郎