We visited a flower shop that we always rely on, with three people. The shop has many elderly regular customers. Here is what the three of us had: - 2 glasses of highball - 2 glasses of draft beer - 2 glasses of whiskey on the rocks - 2 bottles of whiskey - Appetizer: Clam soup - Sashimi platter - Nanban pickles - Five-color natto - Goya champuru - Deep-fried chicken - Thick-fried tofu - Pickled vegetables The total came out to be just over 18,000 yen. It's been a while since we drank like this. Thank you for the delicious meal.

Today, I had a drinking party with my seniors in Nakano. I recommend this place. Although the name of the restaurant is a Japanese-style izakaya, the owner is originally from Okinawa. He has been running the restaurant here for over 30 years. There are many classic izakaya dishes available, but the recommended ones are Okinawan dishes. I had the delicious Goya Champuru after a long time, and it was amazing! I also tried Papaya Champuru for the first time, and it was also delicious! The braised pork and the Tamago without crab (as they were sold out of crab that day) were also amazing! I apologize for the half-eaten photos. We had some shochu on the rocks and beer at the first stop, so we were quickly defeated... as usual. The friendly owner made the experience enjoyable. Thank you for the meal. I would like to visit again. P.S. I didn't notice, but it seems that Egachan was sitting in the counter seat across from us.

On June 26, 2019, I revisited a restaurant called Nobushi, which I had only visited once before about 20 years ago. Back then, I went with my wife's friends, attracted by the reputation of their delicious Goya Champuru. I don't remember the taste or my impressions from back then, but since I've been eating Goya Champuru often lately, I wanted to confirm what my wife considers the best Goya Champuru by visiting this restaurant again. When I arrived at the restaurant at 19:23, there were already 5 groups and 11 people dining. Despite being a weekday, the restaurant was quite busy, a testament to its long-standing popularity. I ordered two draft beers for 550 yen each, and the Goya Champuru I came for, priced at 650 yen. I also ordered grilled dried mackerel for 580 yen, simmered pork belly for 580 yen, salted chicken wings for 120 yen each, and marinated horse mackerel for 450 yen. The complimentary appetizer was clam soup. As I sipped on my beer, I was served clam soup. It was surprisingly delicious, perhaps meant to be good for the liver, considering the clams. The Goya Champuru had thinly sliced bitter Goya, with luncheon meat instead of pork, and silky tofu. The flavor was a bit mild, with a strong pepper kick, but I prefer a more distinct taste. The grilled dried mackerel was salty and a bit too heavy due to the generous amount of fat. The simmered pork belly was tender and sweet in flavor. The marinated horse mackerel had a slightly weak vinegar taste, and I wished it had more acidity and vegetables. I added two more draft beers and a chive and scrambled egg dish for 350 yen. The chive and scrambled egg dish turned out to be eggs soaked in a soy sauce-flavored bonito broth, contrary to my expectations. I also ordered a lemon sour for 450 yen, an oolong highball for 380 yen, deep-fried tofu for 450 yen, and edamame for 450 yen. The edamame was fresh and slightly under-seasoned but delicious with a firm texture. The deep-fried tofu was crispy on the outside but a bit watery inside. Overall, the restaurant felt like a typical izakaya, but I appreciated that many dishes were made in-house. However, I was disappointed that the highly praised Goya Champuru, which was my main reason for visiting, did not meet my expectations.

I visited the place at the north exit of Nakano Station. The background music is digital terrestrial broadcasting. I ordered a "Kuro Kirishima" highball. The appetizer was a soup with meatballs and cabbage. I ordered "Thick Fried Tofu". It was served in about 15 minutes. The tofu was soft with a crispy coating and delicious.

The restaurant is located slightly away from the crowded area. It has a traditional Japanese atmosphere and is a calming place. The menu is extensive and satisfying.

This place is really good.

The Spurs, it was delicious after a long time!

I went to a bar in Nakano with a friend for drinks. The atmosphere was great from the entrance, and there was something special about it. You could feel the seductive vibe. The place opened at 5 pm, and we were the first ones to arrive. I felt a bit nervous going in, but we were warmly welcomed. It seemed like the place was popular with regulars as they filled up the counter seats one after another. By the time we left around 7 pm, almost 50 seats were occupied. The food had a nostalgic feel to it, and they even had tulips on the tables! The horse sashimi was easy to eat and delicious, and the sardine tempura had a nice plum flavor. The staff were all working hard and had a warm and welcoming attitude. It was a great experience, and I would love to come back with a larger group next time.

A pub located about 50m south of the Nakano branch of Sugamo Shinkin Bank. It is a well-known pub where the Ryubei-kai, led by Ryubei Ueshima, gathers, having split off from Nobushi in Higashi-Koenji. The owner is from Okinawa, so in addition to the usual pub menu, they also offer Okinawan dishes such as Goya Champuru, Okinawa soba, and pork belly (Rafute). The taste and prices are average, without any particular standout features. However, being located away from the main restaurant area, they have been in business for many years, suggesting there must be other charms. For example, the friendly way the owner speaks, the fried flounder with bone senbei (750 yen), and the homemade thick fried tofu (400 yen) all show their meticulous work. Furthermore, it is usually not too crowded, so you can feel confident about getting a table without making a reservation. When the popular ramen shop Fujimaru opened, people used to describe its location as "across from Nobushi." Now, when describing the location of Nobushi, they say it's "near the pub next to Fujimaru." It's a bit sad in a way.

Recently, the "Nobushi" in Higashi-Koenji has closed down. This "Nobushi" in Nakano is different. According to the owner, there was a connection with the Nobushi in Higashi-Koenji. It is located on the north side of Nakano Station, near Waseda Street. Let's take a look at the map. I visited this place for a year-end party in 2016. I didn't choose the restaurant myself. Instead of course meals and all-you-can-drink, we ordered individually. We were served clam soup as an appetizer. It seemed fitting to have clams before drinking. But we couldn't exactly make a toast with clams. They had medium and large sizes of draft beer. The service was good. We started by ordering fried foods. We ordered thick fried tofu, white fish tempura, and fried flounder. The thick fried tofu seemed freshly made and was soft and fluffy. All the fried foods were delicious. I thought they must have used fresh oil. The flounder was tasty, bones included. They had a variety of awamori, and we ordered bottles of Mizusen and Zanpa. Both were 30% alcohol, priced the same, but tasted quite different. Both were delicious. The food and drinks were all tasty. We had a great time with my colleagues, chatting and enjoying ourselves.

I often use this place! It's a cozy and welcoming izakaya with a great atmosphere. The master is very friendly too! The sashimi and other dishes are made with fresh ingredients and taste delicious. My recommendation is the grilled silver cod with miso marinade. It's so good that it often sells out quickly, which can be frustrating (laughs). There were also quite a few people dining alone, so it seems like a good place to go solo too. The atmosphere is very relaxing, so you can enjoy your drink slowly.

Personally, I used to go to the area in Higashi-Koenji often with my colleagues. But I have been going here occasionally since last year. The master is friendly and very welcoming, being from Okinawa, he is also very laid-back. Since the first visit where I had a fun time drinking at the crowded counter, I have felt at ease here. They readily take care of everything and it's a place where I can feel safe. From opening to closing time, they let me drink at my own pace. This is a must-visit place for me. The silver cod marinated in saikyo miso is too delicious! Papaya champuru! Horse sashimi, fried foods, and more! The menu is rich and you don't need to hop around! The regular customers in the shop are also very friendly, so I think even first-time visitors can enjoy this place. It's a bit far from the station, but if you have time, it's a great place to leisurely visit!

An izakaya located in a back alley just off the main street and drinking district of Nakano. It's the alley where you can find a Mos Burger facing Waseda Street. This is not a place for just snacking and sipping cold sake, but rather a place to gather with friends in a cozy tatami room. The food here has a clear and easy-to-understand flavor profile. The owner is from Okinawa, but the seasoning seems to be more Kyushu-style, aside from Okinawan dishes. I always order the leek and egg over rice and mini okonomiyaki, which go perfectly with beer or shochu. There seem to be a lot of medical professionals as customers, perhaps due to the nearby hospital. You can often overhear nurses venting about work. This is one of my favorite spots in Nakano.

This is my second time going to Yobushito! I moved to Nakano half a year ago... I've been to various izakayas, but I always end up at Yobushito! I've been searching for new places to try, but haven't found one that suits me yet. So, I always end up at Yobushito! (laughs) I saw a review saying that it's expensive, but I don't think it's that pricey. What I like about it is the wide range of menu options. It's not just Okinawan cuisine (laughs). They have okonomiyaki, nikujaga, sui-gyoza, of course sashimi, yakitori, and so many other amazing dishes (laughs). We couldn't help but laugh as we looked at the menu written on the wall! They also have homemade items, so you can enjoy them with peace of mind! I will definitely come back!

Nakano Station is quite far away and hard to find. There is a counter in the back and tatami seating in the front. My go-to dish is the fried flounder. You can eat it all, even the bones, and the meat is fluffy and delicious with perfect seasoning. It might be the best fried flounder I've ever had. The "bomber natto" has various fish and pickled vegetables wrapped in seaweed. Highly recommended as well. The owner is friendly and from Okinawa, and the staff seem to get along well, creating a pleasant atmosphere for customers. The prices are a bit high, so it's not somewhere I can go often, but I think it's a great restaurant.

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