The atmosphere was really nice! I visited because of that. The shikuwasa was amazing and the yakisoba was delicious, like Napolitan. The mother played the sanshin and someone danced flamenco, it was very homey and nice! Thank you for the meal :) I will visit again.

From Yotsuya-Sanchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, I went to have lunch at Okinawan folk song bar "Yotsuya Ryukyu" on Karikadomon Street (*^▽^*). I saw the PayPay sticker at the entrance and went in. Inside, there was Okinawan folk song BGM playing (*^▽^*), and even a sanshin, creating a full Okinawan atmosphere. I ordered the lunch set with juicy meat, Okinawan soba, and Shikuwasa drink for ¥800. It arrived in about 4 minutes, and the Okinawan soba with flavorful broth, juicy meat, and tasty Shikuwasa drink were all delicious (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵). When it came time to pay, I tried to use PayPay, but they asked for cash instead, even though I had entered after seeing the PayPay sticker. I understand that using PayPay can be difficult for the cash flow of the restaurant, but...

Visited a Ryukyu folk music bar in Yotsuya Sanchome, Shinkimachi, on the Carriage Gate Street for lunch. The atmosphere seemed like they also have live performances at night, with lots of traditional instruments like the sanshin on display. The owner and a regular customer were chatting happily when I arrived. Ryukyu folk music was playing, creating a relaxed and pleasant vibe. They accept various payment methods, but for lunch, it's cash only. Today's set menu was the Tamana Donburi + Mini Noodle + Shikuwasa Juice for ¥800. The Tamana Donburi was a dish I had never heard of before, apparently a stir-fry of cabbage and pork. When it arrived at the table, I found that it was mostly cabbage with only a few slices of pork, which was disappointing as I had expected the pork to be the main component. It felt more like a cabbage stir-fry bowl. The cost performance was not great. The noodles were average. I won't be ordering the Tamana Donburi here again, and I probably won't be coming for lunch in general.

This is located in Yotsuya 3-chome, right next to Mizuho Bank down the alley. Enjoying a toast with beer and awamori mixed with water, indulging in classic Okinawan dishes like Rafute and Goya Champuru. Singing along to Okinawan songs with the owner playing the sanshin is amazing. There's no microphone, so it's not as easy as karaoke, but it's a lot of fun! And Okinawan yakisoba, like a Napolitan style with ketchup. Ending with Okinawa soba, with a clear soup. While you might encounter Shurisoba in Okinawa, this soup is quite rare in Tokyo. Overall, it's a wonderful place with a fun atmosphere.

Going to listen to my mother's singing at a place where I can find the three-stringed instrument.

We ended up in Araki-cho with a few people after feeling unsatisfied with our previous experience. At "Yotsuya Ryukyu" in Araki-cho, Tokyo, it felt like we were in Okinawa as soon as we stepped inside. The small counter-only restaurant served us awamori and Okinawan appetizers. Soon enough, the sound of the sanshin filled the air, and customers began singing along. The atmosphere was lively and everyone was having a great time. Finally, we enjoyed some fried rice before it was time to leave. Thank you for the delicious meal. Let's head towards Akebonobashi Station.

It was a fun night at Shomachi Ichiki, eating and drinking to our hearts' content. We moved on to a second round at an Okinawan restaurant, which felt more like a bar with just a counter. I had an Orion beer, while others opted for awamori. We indulged in dishes like island pickles, Rafute (braised pork belly), and Goya Champuru. The place quickly turned into a karaoke bar, with familiar and unfamiliar Okinawan songs playing. We sang along in a drunken state, creating a joyful atmosphere. However, the cost of 4,500 yen per person for the second round seemed a bit high. Maybe I don't remember well, but we might have really indulged in drinks. (sweat) Thank you for the feast.

Sometimes I peek into this restaurant and find it packed. The menu board outside shows "Today's Lunch - Thursday Menu - Goya Champuru + Free Large Okinawa Soba + Shikuwasa Drink for 800 yen." The main dish changes depending on the day of the week. When I open the door, I see a small interior with only 6 seats at the counter and 3 customers already seated. There is only one lunch option, so I quietly take a seat in the back without any explanation from the owner. The wooden counter chairs require straddling to sit, which makes me worry about how women will manage, but I notice that younger women these days don't mind sitting sideways on their bicycles even in skirts, so I guess it's unnecessary concern from an older person like me. The walls are decorated with Sanshin snake skin instruments, Orion beer posters, creating an Okinawan atmosphere in a humble setting. The spacing between the trays on the counter is good. The Goya Champuru is already prepared and placed on a large plate, with a rice cooker and a big bottle of Awamori also on the counter. The depth of the counter is apparent. The daily menu changes are posted, with dishes like "Taco Rice on Tuesdays, Juicy on Wednesdays, Goya Champuru on Thursdays, and Tamana Donburi on Fridays." The Okinawa Soba arrives quickly as there is no need to boil noodles. Toppings include thinly sliced pork belly in sweet soy sauce, red pickled ginger, and finely chopped green onions. The soy sauce-colored soup is slightly sweet, lacking the distinct bonito flavor of Okinawa Soba. The flavors of the pork belly, red ginger, and soup do not blend well, each asserting itself separately. The pork belly is tough and lacks umami. The noodles are typical Okinawa Soba but not very tasty. The Goya Champuru is cold as it is pre-made, with a mild flavor and ingredients like bitter melon, egg, tofu, and small pieces of ham. The ham goes well with the Goya Champuru. The portion is small but comes with rice, making it affordable and filling, which explains its popularity among young people.

Having lunch at an Okinawan restaurant in Araki Town. There are three Okinawan restaurants that I know of in Araki Town, which may be considered quite a lot for such a small area. As I entered the restaurant, I noticed it was a small place with just a counter. Like many Okinawan restaurants, Okinawan music was playing in the background. The walls were decorated with a sanshin, giving off a distinct Okinawan vibe. The restaurant was run by a man on his own. They offered a daily lunch special, which on this day was Okinawa soba, Goya champuru, a small serving of rice, and Shikuwasa juice for 800 yen. I sat at the counter and waited for my food to be served. When the food arrived, I saw that Okinawa soba was the main dish, with Goya champuru as a side dish. The small portion of rice seemed just enough for a few bites. I tried the Okinawa soba first. The broth was light in flavor, and the flat noodles had a unique slightly chewy texture typical of Okinawan soba. The meat portion was the largest I've had among all the restaurants I've been to. It was seasoned with a sweet and savory sauce, making it delicious. The Goya champuru seemed like a pre-made side dish and was not served warm. The bitterness of the Goya was mild, making it easier to eat for some, but I believe Goya should have a bit of bitterness to it. It consisted of luncheon meat, island tofu, and egg, all cooked with a light seasoning. It was tasty, but I wished there was a bit more of it. I wonder if I could have asked for a larger portion of rice. They had a good variety of dishes, and the food was tasty. Since they change their menu daily, I might come back on a different day to try something new. Overall, it was a satisfying meal. The Shikuwasa juice was refreshing and delicious.

On my way back from visiting my parents' house, I decided to stop by in Yotsuya Araki-cho for some food while reminiscing about the past. The area has changed quite a bit. With limited time, I chose a Okinawan cuisine restaurant that caught my eye. Though it's been quite a while, I feel like I've seen it featured in a magazine before. Inside, there was a female staff member dressed in Ryukyu clothing behind the counter. I started off with an Orion draft beer, of course. While looking at the food menu, I was surprised to see that the Orion draft beer was priced at 850 yen. Underneath the food menu, it stated a 1,000 yen table charge. Truly reflecting the prices in Yotsuya Araki-cho. Here are my thoughts on the dishes: - The appetizer was seasoned boiled quail eggs. - The Goya Champuru with tofu and peanuts had a delicate and delicious flavor. - The Somin Champuru portion was a bit small, and the taste was average. The pork was tasty, but it felt like something you could buy elsewhere. I noticed a note on the menu offering a free drink service if you follow them on Twitter. When I inquired about it, they mentioned it would be available on my next visit. Even though it wasn't explicitly stated on the menu.

On a certain day in July 2014 in Araki Town... I had a meal and explored the surroundings, finding many charming shops! Among them, I decided to have some awamori at the most fun-looking place. I entered and ordered a draft beer, of course, and noticed that they didn't have a wide variety of awamori. The awamori in the jar in the photo was around 2000 yen, a bit pricey. The cover charge was 1000 yen per person, which seemed a bit high. However, the hostess offered us a sanshin (Okinawan musical instrument) to play, explaining that's why the cover charge was higher. Since I can't think straight when I drink, I gave up on playing the sanshin and just took a photo (laughs). My friend, on the other hand, became a master at it. When we mentioned that it was a birthday celebration, the hostess and regular customers gave us a song as a present. It was a precious experience! I had a wonderful night~♪

I visited a Okinawan restaurant in Araki-cho before noon on a certain day in April 2013. The restaurant only had counter seating. The signboard displayed a lunch menu for "Ryukyu Set Meal (Goya Champuru + Okinawa Soba)" for ¥800, which I believe is the only lunch option available. After being served a Shikuwasa juice, I waited for about 7-8 minutes before the meal was served. The taste was not particularly outstanding, more like a standard Okinawan cuisine. Okinawa Soba is usually good wherever you eat it, so this restaurant in the vicinity of Araki-cho could be a valuable option when you crave Okinawa Soba.

When walking through Araki Town, the sound of a sanshin can be heard. A red sign with Okinawan characters caught my eye, it read "Yotsuya Ryukyu." Inside the small shop, sanshin private lessons were being held. The shop only had a counter and a limited menu of Okinawan dishes. I ordered sukuragarsu (salted and fermented ai go fish on tofu), goya champuru, and sea grapes. The taste was average for Okinawan cuisine. I held a sanshin for the first time and tried a simple melody with the guidance of a regular customer. It seems like everyone here is learning how to play the sanshin.

I should have checked Tabelog before entering. I visited this restaurant with my boss after a meeting at a nearby building. When we entered, it was lively. It seemed like there was a music lesson going on inside the store. Feeling a bit confused, we went to the counter. Because of this, the place was cramped (laughs). The staff didn't seem to care much about the customers. The thick pork dish was 700 yen, the bitter melon stir-fry was 700 yen, and the fried noodles were 900 yen. The drinks were also expensive and the portions were small. Maybe it's good for regular customers. It's more like Okinawan cuisine or creative cuisine. The taste is quite different from the authentic Okinawan flavor. You can feel the Okinawan atmosphere, but there's nothing else about the restaurant. I wish the service was a bit more thoughtful about the food and beverage industry.

I have been to this restaurant about 5-6 times, but I don't think I will go back anymore. As mentioned in other reviews, it is a lively and fun place filled with sanshin and Okinawan folk songs. The first time I went was because I was drawn to the cheerful singing that could be heard from the street. However, after going a few times, I realized that this is a place that only people who like the owner can truly enjoy. I won't go into specifics, but the way they treat customers who don't fit in with the atmosphere is quite disappointing. And above all, the bill is too high. Even though I only had two drinks, the total was surprisingly expensive, and when I asked for a breakdown, they wouldn't tell me. That was my last visit. If you are outgoing, you can have a good time whether you go alone or with friends. However, for those who value things like food quality, service, and value for money, this may not be the right place for you.

I entered a bar in Araki-cho without knowing much about it, but it turned out to be quite different. The mama seemed to be a shamisen teacher, with some customers appearing to be her students. Suddenly, a lesson started with singing, and one customer was given strong instructions. The regulars were having a good time, but in such a small counter-only establishment, it was hard to relax and enjoy a drink. The mama was busy attending to the kitchen and customers, giving off a sharp and capable vibe. It felt crowded and difficult to focus on each individual in that situation. I felt like I stood out by drinking alone, so I quickly paid the bill even though I didn't drink much, and the prices were like a snack bar. If you enjoy being part of the group and can fit into that atmosphere, it might be a good place for you, but going alone may be better during quieter times. However, not all customers may share the same values when visiting the establishment. It would be better if the lessons were held separately from the bar. It was unclear if the mama was the owner or the teacher of the place.

A place where Okinawa lovers gather, shoulder to shoulder, to eat, drink, and sing together. They also offer Sanshin lessons during the day, so there are many students coming in, but there are also many others who are not. Even if it's your first time or you're alone, the common love for Okinawa makes it easy to strike up a conversation and make friends quickly. The menu doesn't change much, but the spaghetti is surprisingly delicious! You must try it when you go. They have a good selection of Awamori and Orion beer. It would be even better if it was a bit cheaper.

Araki-cho has a Okinawan restaurant where you can hear the sound of "Sanshin" (a musical instrument similar to a shamisen) and singing as you pass by, creating a fun atmosphere. The interior of the restaurant has only a counter and can seat up to 8 people, so it is often full. I visited with a friend, and since we were both hungry, we ordered dishes that would fill us up. Goya Champuru and Somin Champuru are must-haves. Somin Champuru can be tricky to make at home as the noodles tend to stick together, but the one here had noodles that were separate and included "Spam" with a delicious, slightly salty taste. The owner and customers are friendly and easy to talk to, creating a lively atmosphere. We even tried playing the Sanshin and singing for the first time. In addition to the food, there are other enjoyable aspects to the restaurant that Okinawa enthusiasts will appreciate.