Despite being full (and drunk, sweating), I got off at Shimokitazawa for some reason. The town of Shimokitazawa has changed quite a bit since my last visit. My companion, who had suggested getting coffee to warm up and go home, suddenly exclaimed, "There's an interesting looking place!" and headed towards this place on Chazawa Street called "Nikenchaya," a retro-style izakaya. The interior of the restaurant is as retro as its exterior, with two ladies sitting at the L-shaped counter. I didn't feel very comfortable at first, but as regular customers started to arrive, the icy atmosphere of the restaurant began to thaw. When we asked for sake, the response was a bit stern, saying, "We only have 'Takashimizu' here!" The selection of sake cups was varied and fun to choose from. The food menu changes daily with the blackboard menu. Although I was already full, I was intrigued by the "Palmoa Salad." When I asked the ladies about it, they said it was a red vegetable from New Zealand or Australia. The salad had a crunchy texture and went well with the sweet dressing. The "Jaga-imo no Kinpira" caught my eye as I hadn't had my favorite potato fries that day. They peeled and cooked the potatoes right in front of us. It was delicious but a bit oily. We also had a second serving of "Takashimizu" with potatoes in hot water. Overall, we had a satisfying meal, but the bill came out to be a bit pricey for a restaurant in Shimokitazawa. However, upon researching later, I found out that this place has been featured in various bar-hopping articles. It seems to be a popular spot for drinkers in Shimokitazawa. The name "Nikenchaya" is named after a place in Kyoto, and the ladies running the place are sisters from Kyoto. It may seem a bit intimidating at first, but with regular visits, one might start to appreciate the charm of this place. The food was delicious, but becoming a regular customer might take some time. Thank you for the meal. ● Nikenchaya 2-29-3 Daizawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 03-3414-0638 18:00-22:00 Closed on Sundays 8 seats

★Women's Tavern Wanderings★ Established in 1971, this shop run by elderly sisters from Kyoto offers surprisingly high-priced dishes. One must-try is the salad at Saisai, made with whale bacon, dried round young sardines (to be eaten from head to tail), and paired with the sake "Takashimizu" from Akita.