呑み卓
Exit Shibuya Station Hachiko Exit and walk up Dogenzaka for about 6 minutes to find "Bakushu Shuku Marika Dogenzaka" located on the basement floor. This is a neo-popular pub that also has branches in Sangenjaya and Oimachi in addition to Shibuya. Starting with the exterior, there is a neon sign outside making it easy to find, but the underground entrance has a traditional straw curtain, creating an interesting contrast. Inside, there is a small counter right at the entrance, a L-shaped counter, and further back, there are long tables and regular tables, making the space feel spacious. Due to its location on Dogenzaka, the place was fully packed when I visited around 9 pm. However, I was told that I could drink in the narrow standing space near the entrance until a table opened up. I started by ordering a bottled beer and looking at the menu. The menu offers a variety of dishes such as skewers, sashimi, traditional side dishes, creative dishes, and Thai cuisine, catering to both connoisseurs and young people. After quenching my thirst, I ordered "Salt Stew," "Guts Sashimi," and "Liver Steak." The Salt Stew was refreshing and flavorful with various cuts of meat, all tender and delicious. Next was the Guts Sashimi, which didn't have a strong gutsy texture but was a generous portion for the price. The Liver Steak, lightly seared with plenty of sesame oil, melted in my mouth and was absolutely delightful. Since they had craft beer available, I decided to try "Romantic Village Ritsunosuke Story ~Mug Pipe~" from Tochigi, my hometown. I also ordered the "Green Papaya Salad." The Romantic Village Ritsunosuke Story ~Mug Pipe~ was refreshing with a smooth mouthfeel, a hint of richness, and a lingering bitter taste, making it very enjoyable and easy to drink. The Green Papaya Salad was light and refreshing, with the unique texture of green papaya and the distinctive flavor of Thai cuisine becoming addictive. As a table opened up, I moved and ordered "Sashimi Assortment," "Natto Omelette," and "Stir-Fried Bean Sprouts" to finish off the meal. The Sashimi Assortment consisted of three types of fish - tuna, sardine, and yellowtail - which were surprisingly good. The Natto Omelette had a fluffy egg and natto mixture, while the Stir-Fried Bean Sprouts had a crunchy texture with a punch of garlic. The prices for drinks were a bit high, but the variety of dishes available, the reasonable prices, and the option to enjoy craft beer made this a casual and enjoyable neo-popular pub to visit.