Today I went to Sugamo. I was invited by a companion to visit the iron pot dumpling and sake bar Yamasakura. It was mostly filled with regular customers, but everyone welcomed me warmly. I sat at the counter and started with an oolong highball. For food, I had oden and dumplings. The oden, with three varieties, was 290 yen and very delicious. I also ordered water dumplings, which were very smooth and tasty. Although I didn't stay long, I felt at home and liked the atmosphere. The master was busy but still took the time to see me off. Thank you for the meal. I will visit again!

After finishing the first round at a Chinese restaurant in town, we decided to continue drinking a bit more and ended up wandering through the unfamiliar streets of Sugamo until we arrived at this place. The interior is small, with a narrow counter and a tiny 4-person table at the back. Since it was our second stop, we ordered oden to snack on while the night in Sugamo grew later.

Gyoza x Highball = Winning! This izakaya serves the best hand-made iron pot gyoza from scratch. They come in a set of 8, but they are bite-sized and so delicious you can't stop eating them. The couple who run the restaurant are warm and welcoming, and the regular customers are all very friendly. Highly recommended!

Reasonably priced izakaya where you can enjoy yourself. With a variety of small dishes ranging from 500 to 700 yen, it's a good choice for hanging out with close friends rather than for dates or company drinking parties. There are also table seats on the second floor, so if you want a more peaceful dining experience, I recommend the second floor.

I ordered the grilled mackerel bento (650) and they cook it after you order it. It comes with kinpira gobou, pickles, boiled spinach, and beef sukiyaki! It's luxurious and the mackerel has a rich flavor that goes well with the rice. The bento is packed with food and feels heavy. The sukiyaki was really delicious, with the meat being moist and just the right amount of fat. The bento was tasty and quite a good deal. However, it takes about 10 minutes for it to be ready. They didn't tell me to sit and wait even though the place was empty.笑

I went to a new Puljada dining place and ended up finishing one bottle of Kanamiya and even started on the second one. It's only Monday today, so I should have just gone home quietly, but I remembered this place I visited last time in Sugamo and decided to have just one drink with two friends. The place is conveniently close to the station, so we ended up stopping by. The part-time worker and the landlady I met last time were not there, which was a bit disappointing. We had a lot to drink and even ordered some mapo tofu and pickles. Mapo tofu, as described by Wakatsuki Chinatsu, is a drink, so it should be fine. Honestly, I was a bit tipsy, so I can't really comment on the taste. The mapo tofu had a good kick of Sichuan pepper and was delicious... I think.

I and my friend enjoyed some home-style Cantonese cuisine nearby, along with a bottle of Shaoxing wine. Still early in the day, we decided to explore the back alleys and came across a curious little restaurant with a sign that read "Limited Lunch Special - Star Curry." Intrigued, we were called in by the energetic staff. Although we were already full, we decided to try their homemade dumplings and toasted with a highball. The dumplings were bite-sized, and the staff wore traditional floral-patterned shirts with headbands. Despite the young age of the 23 and 24-year-old staff, we couldn't help but engage with them and ended up apologizing by treating them to some freshly imported sake. The food was reasonably priced, and we added a monkfish liver hotpot, which had a generous amount of bonito flakes and ginger-infused broth. It seemed to be a popular spot among locals, and we left feeling uplifted by the cheerful atmosphere. The lunch curry, we learned, was made by the owner and former chef of a one or three-star restaurant, with the recommended dish being the keema curry.

It might be a good choice when you feel like having a highball. The prices of the dishes are relatively reasonable and delicious.

The dumplings are delicious, and other appetizers are also solid. The restaurant has a nice atmosphere with traditional Japanese lanterns. A unique system where you write your order on paper, put it in a capsule, and drop it down to the lower floor from the second floor. If you're in Sugamo, I recommend this place.

The prices here are really cheap, but the alcohol is not watered down and the gyoza is delicious. I want to go to the hot springs at the end.

Last night, I suddenly craved curry and headed to Otsuka Station. I ended up at "Kacchar Batchar" and "Yappari India," feeling disappointed. Today, on my way back from the gym in Sugamo, I saw a place with a curry sign and flag. It's not a curry restaurant, but they serve curry only during lunchtime. They offer curry with pork and beef, four types of mushrooms, and four types of beans. I ordered the "all toppings" option. The curry wasn't spicy, but it had a good amount of spices. It felt quite authentic. It seemed like the regulars from the night were also there during the day. I'd like to try a spicier version next time.

I visited the restaurant after being drawn in by the name of the iron pot dumplings on the food log. The interior of the small entrance was narrow, leading to a small shop. There was a staircase at the back, suggesting there may be seating on the second floor as well. Sitting at the counter and opening the menu, I was surprised to find that the iron pot dumplings were not listed! But when I asked, they did have it! I ordered the fried pasta and the dumplings. The dumplings arrived in a small iron pot, perfectly round and sizzling. Time to dig in! The dumplings were plump with filling and had a crispy bottom. The yuzu pepper added a nice touch, but be careful not to overwhelm the dumpling's flavor. Personally, I think dipping them in vinegar and soy sauce with a bit of chili oil is the best. The appetizers were affordable and varied, which was nice. However, the narrow counter seats were filled with regular customers, giving a bit of an outsider feeling.

It's a 2-3 minute walk from Sugamo Station. As you walk down a street lined with drinking establishments, you'll see a white sign that reads "Iron Pot Gyoza Izakaya." The first floor has a counter, and in the back, three older gentlemen were enjoying themselves at a table. I personally like these moderately small establishments. The atmosphere is lively but not overly noisy, providing just the right amount of energy. The gyoza served in iron pots and other dishes were quite satisfying. It was a night where I felt happy to have such a neighborhood izakaya nearby. ---Scene +α--- - Solo gyoza exploration - Dinner just after 6 pm on a weekday - Seated at the counter in a somewhat empty restaurant - By the time I left, the first floor was about 80% full ---Menu--- ◆ Iron Pot Grilled Gyoza (1 serving of 8 pieces) @ 450 yen + tax The bite-sized gyoza arrived piping hot. The homemade skin was crispy and flavorful, with a chewy and sweet texture even in the thick edges. The filling consisted of pork, leeks, garlic, and more, with a good kick of garlic that whets the appetite. The dipping sauce was garlic ponzu, vinegar soy sauce, and yuzu pepper. ◆ Yamagata Dashi Tofu @ 390 yen + tax A local dish from Yamagata, featuring cotton tofu topped with Yamagata-style dashi, bonito flakes, and chopped cucumbers. The dashi was thick, slightly sweet, and had a crunchy texture that paired well with the tofu. ◆ Fried Horse Mackerel @ 390 yen + tax Two small horse mackerel served with a medium-thick sauce. Despite their size, the fish was tender and had a crispy coating. A simple but delicious dish.

Lotus root turmeric meeting - Monthly regular meeting in February - Part 7 This is a monthly drinking party with 4 drinking friends living near the Renkon station on the Toei Mita line. On February 25, 2017 (Saturday) around 21:30, the 4 of us who had just left the standing bar Kohinata in Shinbashi and started thinking about heading back home decided to head towards Sugamo. Our destination was the main store of Nikomi Chisei. However, the popular restaurant was full, so we ended up going to "Yamazakura," a place we had always wanted to visit. We were aiming for teppan gyoza, fried pasta, and Hawaiian highballs. We were seated on the second floor and were able to make "capsule orders" as we had planned. Capsule ordering is a method where you write your order on paper and drop the paper into a capsule through a hole in the floor. Now, about the food we had... First, the teppan gyoza... It was full of flavor even though it didn't have garlic, and it was addictive when eaten with garlic ponzu sauce! The fried pasta appetizer... I already liked it, but once I started eating, I couldn't stop! I want to go eat it again while writing this! There was nothing we tried, such as "pickled turnips" and "macaroni cheese curry," that we didn't like. Unfortunately, I couldn't try the "Hawaiian highball" this time, but I got hooked on the "banana vinegar highball" with just the right amount of sweetness and acidity... it's irresistible! What was a bit disappointing was the air conditioning on the second floor. There was no ventilation function, and it was hot and smoky, so we had to open the windows. However, the cool hustle and bustle of the night in Shibuya matched the atmosphere of the restaurant, so it was okay. But it might be tough in the summer, haha. I wonder if the air conditioning is better on the first floor. Overall, it was a satisfying restaurant, but if the menu prices were 30 yen cheaper, it would be perfect! ...That's just my own measure! Nevertheless, it was a restaurant that made me want to come back again. For those who drink highballs like angle high or tris high, the happy hour from 16:00 to 19:00 is a good deal!

After work, I went to Sugamo with a junior colleague from another department. We were looking forward to the gyoza, but other menu items were also impressive. We tried the salted cod roe with cream cheese, oyster fry, and of course, the gyoza. The food was delicious. I ended up having about 8 beers and highballs by myself. However, I was a bit concerned about the hygiene, especially if going with female colleagues. It might be okay with male colleagues, but cleanliness could be improved, especially in visible areas and the restroom. Thank you for the meal.

This bustling shop that always catches my eye. I had been curious about it for a while, but on this day, it seemed like I could get in, so I decided to stop by. Directions from the station: When you leave JR Sugamo Station North Exit (towards the taxi stand), go around to the right side of the rotary, between Sushi no Uo Tsun Sugamo Store and the First Kango Shinkin Credit Union. Go straight and turn right at the first corner, and it will be on your left after a short walk. Along the way, you might be tempted by Niboshi Chisei Honpo or Yutaka Shokudo (laughs). The entrance is small and the shop is long and narrow inside. On the 1st floor, there is a counter on the right with about 10 seats, a 2-person table on the left (quite small) with 2 tables, and a 4-person table at the back. Before 7 pm on Friday, the 1st floor was almost full, so I was led to the 2nd floor. The 2nd floor is a tatami room where you take off your shoes and has 4 tables for 4 people each. The restroom is on the 1st floor. It might be a bit awkward for women as it is right next to the customer seats. Ordering on the 2nd floor involves writing on a memo paper provided and putting it in a capsule, then dropping it through a hole in the floor (refer to the 5th image). It's a bit fun, isn't it? I thought gyoza would be the main dish, but they also have a wide variety of other dishes. However, the menu on white paper shows prices excluding tax. Here's some information that men might enjoy! The female staff, who look nice in floral shirts, are all very friendly (laughs). Items ordered: - Iron Pot Grilled Gyoza (8 pieces) ¥486 Small gyoza made from scratch without garlic in the skin. It was recommended to eat it with ponzu sauce or vinegar soy sauce on the table. Personally, I wish vinegar and soy sauce were separate so you could adjust the ratio to your liking. The crispy grilled side and chewy skin texture are nice. The filling is not very juicy but light, so it might appeal to women. - Boiled Gyoza (8 pieces) ¥486 I added this because the skin was thick, so I thought boiled gyoza would be good too. It is eaten with karashi ponzu sauce. The smooth skin is delicious! I noticed later that yuzu pepper was placed on other tables. Yuzu pepper would also go well with it. (Make sure to set the table properly) - Dashi Rolled Tamago ¥529 According to my husband, this was the most delicious dish of the day (^^; It has a generous amount of dashi and a gentle flavor. The portion was large, and we were very satisfied with this dish. - Homemade Potato Salad ¥313 Contains onions, carrots, cucumbers, and even chunky potatoes. It has a homemade taste that is delightful. - Oyster Oden ¥421 There were four oysters in it. The broth with a rich oyster flavor and the plump oysters are irresistible to oyster lovers. - Cheese-filled Baked Tomato ¥421 It looks like it has a lot of cheese, but when you try to pick it up with chopsticks, the cheese doesn't stretch much. It seems that they topped cheese over mayonnaise. It might be better to change the dish name to Mayo Cheese Tomato (^^; The tomato was slightly overcooked. It was so soft that it was difficult to pick up with chopsticks. Oh, and there was a lot of pepper in it! - Amaebi Shio-koji ¥421 A very small amount, but it's incredibly salty (laughs). People with high blood pressure should be careful! - Otoshi ¥216/person A deep-fried pasta that can be refilled. It had a salty taste and was good as an appetizer before the dishes arrived. - The Premium Malt's ¥421/otoshi/Chuhai & Oolong Highball each ¥313 Sour drinks are cheap, but the glasses are a bit small. On the 1st floor, the female staff and male customers who seemed like regulars were having a great time chatting. Of course, this is a recommended place for women as well, but even more so for men (laughs). Having a first drink here, or chatting with the staff at the counter on the 1st floor with gyoza as a snack, seems like a lot of fun! (Since the gyoza does not contain garlic, it is safe for the first drink too) On a side note, I had long been curious about the neighboring "Kashi no Mise Matsuyoshi". It is still operating as a dagashiya (traditional Japanese candy store) and was crowded with children!

I was looking for a non-chain izakaya in Sugamo and stumbled upon one. I decided to check it out. The first floor was packed with regulars at the counter, but the second floor had a relaxed atmosphere in the tatami room. It felt like visiting someone's grandma's house. It was fun to write down orders on a paper and drop them through a capsule into a hole. However, you need to remember what you ordered because you won't know which dish is from your table when it arrives. The gyoza, a specialty dish, was delicious! They had a variety of drinks, so we could leisurely eat and drink. It was a great experience.

We had some time before our next appointment, so we stopped by a small place around Sugamo for drinks and snacks. The atmosphere was cozy and we sat at a table near the counter on the first floor. We ordered a bottle of beer and three servings of iron skillet dumplings. The dumplings were small but delicious, with a perfect balance of steaming and crispy texture. The waitress, who was very beautiful, recommended various snacks to us, but we had to decline as we had other plans. If we didn't, we would have probably ordered everything she suggested. Her beauty added a little extra charm to the service and ambiance of the place. Thank you for the meal.