We visited as a family at 19:30. When it comes to takoyaki, everyone thinks of "Gindaco," but here they serve a unique version called "dashi takoyaki." It's incredibly delicious!! It completely changes the way you think about takoyaki! They also have other amazing dishes like oxtail soup and garlic shrimp. It's definitely a place you’ll want to visit again, a true gem for takoyaki lovers!

【Visit Count: 2】A takoyaki and alcohol shop near Kagurazaka Station. The combination of takoyaki and drinks isn’t very common, but this place has a wide variety of side dishes, making it perfect for enjoying drinks while tasting appetizers and finishing off with takoyaki! Since takoyaki takes time to cook, I wouldn't recommend this place if you're in the mood for just takoyaki without drinks. Besides sake, they offer other drinks like whiskey highballs and shochu liqueurs. True to its name, "Kokushu," the shop features a selection of Japanese-made beverages. This time, I tried a shochu liqueur infused with cardamom, and we even compared various types of Ichiko from different regions! The appetizers we ordered included the following. Chikuzen-ni is served as an appetizer. - Miso-marinated tofu - Walnuts caramelized with brown sugar - Turnip with homemade soy sauce koji - Avocado and lemon sushi rolls - Mackerel and clam rillettes in monaka - Domestic beef tendon simmered in miso - Grilled ginkgo nuts (this month's special menu) We ordered six takoyaki for two people and added separate sauces for flavor variations: Hokkaido wasabi, white soy sauce, sukiyaki dipping sauce, and an egg yolk. I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected compatibility of sukiyaki with takoyaki! I have a feeling I’ll be ordering that dipping sauce again next time. I plan to visit again when I’m in the mood for takoyaki.

This year, a new takoyaki restaurant opened in Kagurazaka, and I’m really happy since there hasn’t been one in the area before! Plus, it’s stylish! The takoyaki has a rich dashi flavor, so I recommend trying it plain first. It’s definitely delicious on its own. However, there are also plenty of options for flavor variations that make it fun! They have a great selection of tasty snacks besides takoyaki. The wine list features Japanese wines, and I was pleased to see sake like Tanizake and KID that I enjoy.

After work, I intended to just have a quick drink, but I was drawn into a place with a noticeable takoyaki lantern right after getting off at Kagurazaka station. It was a weekday, right at 6:00 PM when they opened, so the place was empty. A few customers came in afterward. Looking at the menu, I found not only takoyaki but also a variety of side dishes, which got me a bit excited. I started with a beer, enjoying it in a thinline glass. Since it was Premium Malts, I should have ordered a smaller size. The appetizer was a Japanese-style ratatouille, and the sweet potato added a delightful touch. I couldn't help but order some sake next. I had a chilled version, paired with grilled mushrooms and a half-size serving of mackerel and clam rillettes, which was perfect for one person. I enjoyed another cup of carefully selected sake along with the snacks while having a lovely time with the charming chef and beautiful staff. Oh, and to top it off, I had takoyaki as the main dish. Unlike the famous crispy takoyaki, this one was rich in dashi flavor, making it perfect as a closing dish or a snack. I’m thinking of returning for a more serious drinking session next time. The chef mentioned that the side dish menu is still in development, so it may change in the future. Also, the sake selection varies by season. This reads like a review more than a diary entry.

I had the authentic takoyaki, shrimp ajillo, and avocado lemon roll. The takoyaki was said to be flavored with Kyoto-style dashi, and I ate it in its plain form with a separate sauce. To be honest, I found it disappointing due to being overcooked and lacking in flavor. As a Kansai native, I'm used to having takoyaki with a rich dashi flavor topped with sauce and mayonnaise, so it felt lacking in punch. Additionally, I found all the items on the menu to be overpriced for their portions. The appetizer was particularly disappointing. As noted in other comments, it would be helpful if the pricing could be more cost-effective. The service from the staff was great, though. I wish them all the best.

It is located near Kagurazaka Sakagami Rakagu. It's a takoyaki shop where you can enjoy Japanese sake. The entire seating is at the counter. The restaurant is beautiful! They also have a selection of sake that is quite sophisticated. The owner is very knowledgeable about Japanese sake. Thank you for the meal! m(_ _)m

I was curious about eating takoyaki, so I decided to check it out. I think the selection of drinks and side dishes is well thought out and good. However, I can't help but feel that the pricing is not quite right, making everything seem somewhat expensive. If the pricing were a bit more appealing, I might be tempted to visit again.

This time, I visited "Takoyaki to Koku-shu Hinomoto," located near Kagurazaka Station! This restaurant features unique takoyaki as its signature dish and offers a variety of sake and Japanese wine alongside dishes that complement these drinks, creating a casual izakaya experience! I enjoyed five dishes, including the standout menu item! ✨ ▼ Authentic Takoyaki (165 JPY including tax per piece) This is our signature dish, made with Kyoto-style preparation using dashi from katsuo and kombu! The batter is infused with a rich umami flavor, and the melty interior combined with the taste of octopus expands the possibilities of takoyaki! ✨ One plate of takoyaki allows you to enjoy a variety of flavors, and the restaurant offers an abundance of condiments for flavor enhancement. The standard offerings include Hin'gya salt from Aogashima, shichimi (seven spice), okonomiyaki sauce, and gari (pickled ginger), with additional items like seaweed tsukudani (77 JPY) and truffle oil (143 JPY) available for customizing your experience! (Personally, I found the Hin'gya salt to be the perfect match!) *You can order a minimum of three pieces per person. After the second order, you can order from one piece.* ▼ Avocado and Lemon Norimaki (704 JPY including tax) This surprising combination of avocado, lemon, and nori makes for a delightful appetizer! The flavor of the nori and the acidity of the lemon elevate the avocado's taste, providing a deeper culinary experience! ✨ Self-made shio-koji (fermented rice with salt) is served alongside, featuring a perfect balance of saltiness and a hint of sweetness, bringing all the flavors together! ▼ Smoked Duck Thigh (880 JPY including tax) This is a dried and smoked snack made with duck thigh. It has a firm texture, and the flavors and rich aroma intensify with each bite! ✨ It pairs excellently with drinks, allowing you to enjoy the unique umami of dried duck, so if you’re curious, be sure to give it a try! ▼ Sweet Potato and Colorful Vegetable Ratatouille (638 JPY including tax) This is a recommended dish of the month! For this dish, sweet potato is the base, combined with shishito peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers! ✨ The use of miso gives it a distinctly Japanese flavor, allowing for the umami of the ratatouille to shine while also conveying the richness of the miso and the sweetness of the vegetables—a unique taste only available here! *The photo and video of the ratatouille show a half-size portion.* ▼ Mentaiko Dashi Bonara Udon (953 JPY including tax) This creative dish incorporates mentaiko (cod roe) and carbonara sauce with udon noodles! You can enjoy the spicy umami of the mentaiko paired with the rich tang of egg yolk all in chewy udon noodles, which is incredibly satisfying! ✨ Midway through, you can enhance the dish with a special dipping sauce, creating a dashi bonara experience that combines the flavors of both Western and Japanese cuisine in a delightful way! This menu is designed to pair well with sake and other beverages, so definitely enjoy it with a drink! =========================== Restaurant Name: Takoyaki to Koku-shu Hinomoto Address: 64-4 Yarai-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, DEAR Kagurazaka 1F Access: 1 minute walk from Tokyo Metro Tozai Line Kagurazaka Station, 6 minutes walk from Toei Subway Oedo Line Ushigome-Kagurazaka Station Business Hours: [Thu – Tue] Lunch: 12:00 – 16:00, Dinner: 18:00 – 23:00 Closed: Wednesdays ===========================

【Order Menu】◯ Grilled Bacon 650 yen ◯ Plain Takoyaki (per piece) 120 yen, separate sauce 70 yen〜 ◯ Mentaiko Carbonara Udon 800 yen【Waiting Time】No waiting time on weekday evenings【Reservations】Online reservations available (Tabelog), phone reservations available【Estimated Budget】2,000 yen〜【Features】I heard a new takoyaki izakaya opened, so I was curious and decided to visit. They open at noon and serve lunch drinks. True to the calligraphy on the lantern, "Takoyaki and National Liquor," they offer takoyaki along with a wide variety of alcohol and dishes. It seems like you could enjoy a complete meal here, but personally, I think it's great for a pre-drink or a light bite after heading out.【Ambiance】The counter style makes it easy for solo diners to enjoy. The place is clean, and there are many female customers.【Food】◯ Grilled Bacon Thick slices of bacon that are very meaty. It has a strong salty flavor that pairs well with drinks. Each piece is cut large, making it quite filling. ◯ Plain Takoyaki These takoyaki are delicious even without any additional toppings due to the flavorful dashi. However, you can also get it with default sauce. The chunky pieces of octopus have a delightful chewy texture, which complements the fluffy and creamy takoyaki perfectly. This time, I chose to add Aomori garlic oil and Chiba nori tsukudani as toppings. Both are great complements to the takoyaki, but personally, I preferred the nori tsukudani. ◯ Mentaiko Carbonara Udon The udon is fluffy, chewy, and has just the right amount of firmness, combined with mentaiko and butter, making it a perfect dish to end the meal. I absolutely loved the gentle flavor of the mentaiko butter, and I will definitely repeat this order.【Drinks】A wide variety of alcoholic beverages are available◎【Service】The staff provided detailed explanations and showed great concern for my needs, such as checking on my glass when it was nearly empty. Overall, I had a pleasant dining experience.

The main focus of the restaurant is takoyaki made with dashi. With plenty of counter seating and a clean interior, it's an inviting place for solo female diners. The takoyaki is hefty and soft, and you can really taste the dashi, which is why the recommendation is to eat it without any sauce. However, I personally found it tastier when dipped in their special sauce. They also have a good selection of sake, and the staff is knowledgeable, making for an enjoyable experience. I think it would be easier to visit more often if they added a few more side dishes to the menu.

I visited a new restaurant in Kagurazaka with a friend who is temporarily living there. The concept of this place is to enjoy "sumiyaki" takoyaki as a snack while sipping on Japanese sake! The main highlight of the snacks is the baked takoyaki made with a batter rich in dashi. First, we tried it plain, followed by the classic takoyaki sauce that’s served by default. There are also options to add sauces like truffle oil or wasabi for an extra kick! Even without any sauce, they were packed with flavor, and I could easily eat several! Of course, the takoyaki sauce has a fruity sweetness that complements it perfectly! To cleanse the palate, we had gari (pickled ginger)—just like at a sushi restaurant! After that, we moved on to the truffle oil, which paired wonderfully too! This opened up a new perspective on takoyaki! As expected, the selection of sake is quite impressive, and they also offer rare shochu and Japanese wines! I love the playful spirit of this place in Kagurazaka! (｡♡‿♡｡)

I often go out drinking alone, and I discovered that almost all the dishes can be ordered in half sizes. The portions and prices are both half, making it perfect for solo diners. Every dish has been thoughtfully crafted and is truly delicious. There’s also a wide selection of carefully curated alcoholic beverages. Of course, you can’t miss the takoyaki, and for the perfect finish, the mentaiko dashi carbonara udon is a must!

Takoyaki is incredibly delicious! Other dishes are also tasty. There are many rare and delicious alcoholic beverages, making it a great experience overall.

It has been a while since the izakaya on the first floor of a commercial building near Kagurazaka Station closed, but a new takoyaki izakaya opened this month. There were no menus displayed outside or information available online, just a large lantern with the words "Takoyaki and National Sake." Additionally, the lights are rarely on during the weekends and only seem to turn on around 7 PM, making it difficult for me to visit until now. Finally, I found the place lit up on a weekday when I was feeling a bit hungry, so I decided to check it out. The menu is quite simple, mainly featuring takoyaki with some side dishes, so it might be more suitable for a pre-dinner or late-night snack. Therefore, I opted for takeout. According to the description, they serve Kansai-style takoyaki, which is meant to be eaten plain without sauce. I tried it as is and found that the fluffy batter held large pieces of octopus with a firm texture. The umami from the dashi and the flavor of the octopus came through beautifully—it was delicious. Adding a little salt enhanced the taste, and I later drizzled a bit of sauce on top to enjoy a different flavor. Reflecting on it, I realized that the takoyaki I had typically eaten in Kanto was largely flavored with strong sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes, which masked the texture of the octopus. Eating it plain allowed me to truly appreciate the natural flavor of the octopus, making me feel like this is a different type of octopus dish. While not all Kansai-style takoyaki is served plain, I quickly grew fond of this style. Next time, I will definitely come to enjoy freshly made takoyaki inside the restaurant.

I visited the restaurant, but they only offered takeout that day. There were customers at the counter, possibly acquaintances. I ordered octopus balls, which came with a flavorful broth and a choice of salt or sauce. However, the sauce didn't suit my taste; I prefer a more standard sauce. The octopus balls were too soft for my liking; I prefer them to be crispy on the outside.