I aimed for the food stalls in Ueno, but since it was raining today, I selected the casual restaurant "Hote-chan" which seemed suitable for indoor dining. It was my first time here, so I was looking forward to it. While "Hote-chan" gives off a standing bar vibe, when I went upstairs, I found rows of table seats. This was a pleasant surprise. The place was spacious and the air conditioning was working well, making it a comfortable place to linger. Today's order: - Special beef stew - Homemade potato salad - Warm edamame - Salted kombu green soybeans - Meat miso bean sprouts - Thick cut ham cutlet - Manzoku croquette - Chilled tomato with seared spicy cod roe - Grilled stingray fin - Grilled shishamo Drink order: - Draft beer - Various types of lemon sour There were a variety of lemon sour options, around 5-6 different kinds. I tried them all one by one. It was fun. The menu had a good cost performance with a wide selection of B-class dishes, all of which were delicious. I initially aimed for healthier options, but ended up indulging in dishes like ham cutlet and croquette which were too tasty to resist. Overall, I was very satisfied with my experience at "Hote-chan."

Hello, I'm Mogusuke! The password is "Delicious is 0 calories!" Today, I would like to introduce "Hottei-chan" in Ueno. There are 4 stores in Ueno, and Hottei-chan is a famous casual izakaya with outstanding cost performance! The dishes such as fried horse mackerel, simmered dishes, and sashimi are just delicious! There is also a wide variety of lemon sour drinks to enjoy. It's a lively place where you can have a great time, and there are plenty of delicious dishes that go well with alcohol! Delicious is 0 calories! Please stop by when you visit Ueno. ------------------------------------- ■ Budget per person: ¥2500 ■ Nearest station: 3 minutes walk from Ueno Station ■ Taste Sake Rank Mogu Degree ※ ⭐︎ Taste: 2 mogu ⭐︎ Price: 3 mogu ⭐︎ Stylishness: 1 mogu ⭐︎ When it comes to bar hopping in Ueno: 3 mogu ※ 3-level evaluation 1 mogu = as expected 2 mogu = want to visit again and again 3 mogu = high evaluation that you don't want to tell others ■ Mogusuke's recommended usage scene Solo: ○ Drinking with a small group: ○ Drinking party: ○ First date: △ 5th date and beyond: ○ Group date: × Celebration: ×

Yoyogi, on the way back from a girls' night out at a summer festival! Cheers alone! Cheers♪(*^^)o∀*∀o(^^*)♪It's nice to be able to drink outside on a sunny day, but it's sad that smoking outside is not allowed. I would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal.

Hottei-chan is rapidly expanding with four stores in Ueno. Unfortunately, my friend's beloved "Garakuta Boeki" closed last month. I enjoyed the simmered eggplant, lemon sour, and afternoon black tea highball. There are few non-smoking izakayas, so Hottei-chan is very convenient. However, I recently felt that there weren't many appetizers I wanted to eat. Thank you for the meal.

I often find myself going there because even though it's crowded at a late hour, I can usually get in. The fact that they serve quickly is also appreciated! It would be great if they accepted PayPay since they only take cash, but the cost performance is good so I think I will visit again!

Store number 4 didn't have a standing space for drinking. So, I thought there would be no 10% discount for standing customers, but when I checked the receipt, it was actually a 5% discount. Counter discount??? The menu is exactly the same as other stores. The staff seemed to be all foreigners. However, the atmosphere didn't feel like Hotei-chan's place. No cover charge or table charge. I tried the "Special Tuna Part for 528 yen," which was recommended as a must-try. It looked good, but the part chosen for this dish had visible tendons, making it seem like an unusual choice. The whole surface had an unnatural amount of fat. I don't think they used the conveyor belt sushi method. I also had the Hanatsuki Sour for 429 yen, which I had never heard of. It tasted like a regular lemon sour. The 242 yen shochu was poured generously as usual, which I appreciated. Overall, Hotei-chan seems to offer a high level of satisfaction.

On the weekend, I had some errands in Ueno. So, I went to "Hotei-chan Ueno 4th branch" and had some drinks. The interior of the shop was clean and tidy. I couldn't help but raise a toast to the white-themed decor. The snacks and drinks had good value for money, and the taste was also satisfactory. I left feeling very satisfied. I would like to visit the 5th branch when it opens next time.

On this day, I had a casual drink in Ueno. First, I drank at the motsuyaki restaurant "Otonba Ueno" and then visited the 4th branch of my lifelong favorite, "Hotei-chan". It was my first visit to this branch. There is also a 2nd branch in the basement of the same building, but I don't really like underground restaurants, so I decided to visit it later. This branch is quite spacious. I didn't realize that they don't have standing bar counters here. According to the notice in the restaurant, the same system applies to the 2nd branch in the basement. By the way, I noticed that the 10% discount for standing drinks at Hotei-chan has been reduced to 5%. I ordered a salted tomato sour for 360 yen (excluding tax) and a fried sardine for 280 yen (excluding tax) from the menu. The fried sardine had a crispy coating and I squeezed the lemon provided over it. I quickly finished the salted tomato sour and enjoyed my meal. It's nice to be able to sit down, but it doesn't feel quite like Hotei-chan.

Even though it was a regular day, the drinking district in Ueno was crowded with people. The shop I was aiming for was full and I couldn't get in. This place was also almost full, but after a short wait, I managed to get a seat. I ordered the limited special of mackerel cutlet, which was cheap. It came with tartar sauce and was crispy. The yakisoba and mapo tofu were delicious too.

This is an izakaya located in Ameyoko. We ordered a draft beer for 490 yen, potato fries for 270 yen, meat miso bean sprouts for 230 yen, mixed fry for 270 yen, and honey cheese cream for 300 yen. The potato fries come with ketchup and are long and thin. The honey cheese cream is eaten by spreading the cream on crackers, giving it a dessert-like feel. The meat miso bean sprouts make a great snack, with the meat miso sauce complementing the bean sprouts. We also ordered the Hanatsuki sour set for 390 yen, which is light and easy to drink. Next, we got the black Hoppy set for 390 yen, which includes a shochu for 220 yen. It's a great place to enjoy drinks from lunchtime onwards.

Cheap and delicious izakaya "Hotei-chan". They have 15 stores in Tokyo, with 5 of them located in the Ueno/Okachimachi area. I visited the 4th store in Ueno this time. It's located on the 2nd floor of "Ooyama" in Ameyoko, a place filled with bars. The interior is spacious with table and counter seats. "Hotei-chan" offers a standing-drinking special with Akaboshi large bottles, and an additional 10% discount on the bill, but the 4th store has counter seats with chairs that qualify for this offer. So, I started with the classic "Akaboshi (large bottle)". It's originally 420 yen, but with the 10% discount, it comes down to 410 yen. Next, I tried the "Surumeika no Gyoshizuke" for 374 yen. It's like marinated squid, topped with quail egg yolk. It's crunchy and rich, a perfect light snack. Another dish I tried was the "Teppan Garlic & Onion Butter Stir-Fry" for 220 yen. It's an alternative version of the popular "Teppan Garlic Butter Stir-Fry". It's not bad, but the onions absorbed the butter, making the garlic taste bland. I would recommend sticking to the classic version. Lastly, I had the "Red Pickled Ginger Fry Skewer" for 220 yen. It's a big size compared to regular skewers, with a crispy coating and spicy red pickled ginger. Perfect with beer. Overall, I had a light drink and snack at the counter with a 10% discount, totaling only 1140 yen. Considering the rising cost of ingredients, having a large bottle of Akaboshi and 3 dishes for this price is fantastic.

Iran Karappe. ---------- January 2023 ----------While walking in the bustling area of Ueno Station during the day, I stumbled upon a great find! Hello! There is a cheap drinking spot called "Lager Large Bottle" that can also be found in Sapporo. The real pleasure of standing and drinking (= ´∀｀)ﾉ凵゛. They are really not concerned about profit, offering "Oboro Konbu Shimesaba" at the same price as in Sapporo. Shimesaba (mackerel marinated in oboro konbu) is always delicious, right? It goes well with alcohol. The "Iron Plate Ham and Eggs" is a hearty iron plate dish with thick slices of ham. It's great! The menu varies by location, but I tried the "Wakame Tempura" at the Ueno store and I wish they had it everywhere. It's a unique menu item that you don't see often.

At the end of the year, on New Year's Eve, we decided to call back our son from a photo shoot in Tokyo and have dinner at "Hotei-chan" together! (The parents went for a pub crawl, haha) We arrived around 6:00 PM, managed to get a table but it quickly filled up afterwards! The restaurant is spacious and doesn't have the cramped feel of older establishments, making it very comfortable. We looked at the menu and ordered the following: [Menu for this visit] - Hoppy Set x2: 390 yen each - Hoppy (medium) x5: 220 yen each - Byes Sour Set: 390 yen - Byes Sour (extra): 200 yen - Oolong Tea: 250 yen - (Slightly imperfect) Bluefin Tuna: 450 yen - Soupless Black Sesame Tantanmen: 500 yen - Fisherman's Pickled Squid: 330 yen - Miso Pork and Bean Sprouts: 220 yen - Tanuki Tofu: 220 yen - Proud Beef Stew: 480 yen - Satisfaction Croquette: 150 yen - Sesame Salt Cucumber: 220 yen - Eggplant with Ginger: 260 yen * Total payment for today: 6,200 yen We gathered as a family at "Hotei-chan" for dinner. Our son has grown up, and we have reached this stage. Cheers to our son who has grown up healthy! [Bluefin Tuna (slightly imperfect)] Today, they had it! Depending on the store and time, it may not be available. It has a perfect balance of fatty tuna with no sinew. The addition of lean tuna is a delightful touch! [Soupless Black Sesame Tantanmen] I tried this for the first time in Shibuya recently and wanted my ramen-loving son to try it, so I called him back! The rich black sesame flavor, mild spiciness, and thick noodles make it very delicious! [Fisherman's Pickled Squid] A lightly pickled squid with a texture close to sashimi. The squid has a firm bite, and it becomes milder with the quail egg yolk. [Miso Pork and Bean Sprouts] Sweet and savory ground pork on blanched bean sprouts! Simply delicious! [Tanuki Tofu] Silken tofu in a dashi broth, topped with tempura flakes and grated yam. The addition of seaweed is a nice touch. [Proud Beef Stew] A representative dish of izakaya menus! It includes various cuts of beef tripe, which I love. The miso and soy sauce flavor is slightly strong. The vegetables are tender and delicious. [Satisfaction Croquette] I've been obsessed with Hotei-chan's croquettes lately! A creamy croquette with a hint of sweetness, crispy coating, and very delicious. It's recommended to dip it in salt or soy sauce! [Sesame Salt Cucumber] Not your typical pre-made salted cucumber. It's seasoned with a sauce made in the restaurant, with sesame oil as the base and a touch of sliced chili pepper for a little kick. A delicious palate cleanser. [Eggplant with Ginger] A simple dish of fried eggplant topped with bonito flakes and grated ginger. Drizzle with soy sauce before eating. The fried eggplant is just so good! [Highlight of this visit] - Soupless Black Sesame Tantanmen! It's still delicious! It surpasses the average restaurant by a long shot, offering authentic deliciousness. [Editor's Note] - When my son is around, we can order a variety of dishes, but they quickly disappear. - The slightly imperfect bluefin tuna is a fun touch. - For drinkers, simple and inexpensive menu items are great! - The spacious layout here is better than other branches. - Hotei-chan is still a great (drunk) place! [Rating for this visit] Overall: 3.9 Taste: 4 Service: 3 Atmosphere: 3.5 Value for money: 4 Drinks: 4.5 Thank you for the delicious meal. Until next time, American beef!

There is a popular izakaya near Ueno Station in Ameyoko. The second floor is a smoking area, which attracts many customers. There is also a standing bar area that is slightly cheaper than the table seats. The menu is typical for an izakaya, and the atmosphere is lively and casual.

On Friday evening, I went to explore a familiar izakaya in Ueno with my colleagues. This izakaya is operated by Fortops Co., Ltd., established in February 1993. Originally starting as a ramen shop, the izakaya branch began in April 2017 in Shinkoiwa. The name of the izakaya is said to be derived from the fact that the company also operates Hokkaido ramen shop "Himuro" and robatayaki and oden restaurant "Kyosuke", with names inspired by musicians, although the truth of this is uncertain. Currently, there are 15 branches in Tokyo, including 4 in Ueno, as well as locations in Chiba, Kanagawa, and Hokkaido. This particular izakaya is located on the 4th floor of a building in Ueno's bustling izakaya district, which I like to call the "Izakaya Golden Street." The basement floor of this building houses the second branch. We arrived around 6 pm, and my colleague was already there enjoying a drink. The spacious and bright interior had recommendations for the day displayed on the walls. Since it was still early, only about 30% of the tables were occupied. We ordered the following dishes: - Famous beef stew for 450 yen, with plenty of green onions and a light flavor. - Garlic and onion butter stir-fry for 200 yen, to recharge with stamina for the weekend. - Grilled chicken harami for 360 yen, with a sweet sauce that enhanced the harami's flavor. - Horse sashimi yukke for 450 yen, limited quantity and certified by the association. The horse sashimi was fresh and light. - Shell-on sweet shrimp for 500 yen, the fresh sweet shrimp were truly delicious. The total bill came out to a little over 2,500 yen per person. With a variety of sashimi and meat dishes, this izakaya stands out in the bustling Ueno area for its affordability and large number of branches. Thank you for the meal.

I had a lunch drink at Hotai-chan on the second floor after a long time. The counter has cheap Akahoshi beer, but since there were 5 of us, we sat at a table and could only drink draft beer. Oh well. It feels a bit more refined since I last came. My favorite dish, motsu sashimi, was no longer on the menu, and there were more grilled fish and sashimi options. The attraction remains the low prices for food. It's recommended to go for the Mega Jockey at double the price. I left feeling pleasantly drunk and headed home.

There are many Hotei-chan restaurants in Ueno, but this one is perfect for solo dining. The food and drinks are very reasonably priced, and there is a wide variety of items on the menu. They also have various limited-time offerings, so you can enjoy different foods and drinks. The portion sizes are just right, making it a friendly place for dining alone.

I don't know much about it myself, but there is a restaurant located near Ueno Ameyoko, a popular spot for daytime drinking, where famous places like Takioka, Kadokura, and Daitoryo are crowded together. I visited this place alone on my day off. As I climbed up the narrow stairs and entered the restaurant, I felt a somewhat impersonal atmosphere that reminded me of a revolving sushi restaurant. Although it didn't have the lively atmosphere of the surrounding shops, there were a decent number of customers inside the empty counter seats. A waitress at the counter took my order right away, and all the staff, including her, seemed to be non-native Japanese speakers. I had a large bottle of Akahoshi beer (of course, given the local area) with potato salad, bacon, and Vienna sausages for just over 1000 yen. As I watched the staff at the counter while drinking, I found myself intrigued by the various dramas unfolding among the staff members, such as the serious and hardworking chief-like waitress, the one who seemed to be taking personal calls while working casually, and the one who seemed to be annoyed while watching her but still providing support. I was entertained by these imagined stories. Keep up the good work, waitress! I'm silently cheering you on!

Hottei-chan has several locations around Ueno. This second-floor spot on the Ameyoko standing bar street is a bit of a hidden gem. The cost performance is truly impressive. The amount of Hoppy you get is even awe-inspiring. The bluefin tuna, sea grapes, eringi mushroom steak, pork and bean sprouts, pork hormone mix, and umeshu were all delicious.

After enjoying some Gyoza at Gyoza no Ousama, I hopped on the Ginza Line to Ueno. I was really craving some tuna, so I was on the lookout for a place where I could have a drink and indulge in some tuna. However, the place I had in mind was way too crowded, so I had to give up on entering ( ；∀；). Then, I noticed a shop across the street with the words "Hon Maguro Butsu" written on it. I just had to check it out (*≧∀≦*), so I headed to the shop. I arrived at the shop around 12:30. The shop is located about a 5-minute walk from Ueno Station, on top of Niku no Ooyama. Inside the shop, there are table seats on the left side as you enter, and a counter on the right side. The counter only accommodates 1 to 2 people, but you get a 10% discount on your bill, so I decided to sit there. The table seats were filled with groups of people and it was noisy, so sitting at the counter was definitely the right choice. The menu had a wide variety of food and drinks, so it took me a bit of time to go through everything. I ordered the Hon Maguro Butsu that I wanted to try. It was served in just 30 seconds, as it was pre-made and stored in a refrigerated case. I also ordered a few other items that caught my eye, and I finished eating and paid the bill in less than an hour. It's a good place for a quick drink and bite to eat for 1 or 2 people. Overall, it was a satisfying meal. Thank you for the delicious food. Food: - Sesame salt cucumber (190 yen) - Hon Maguro Butsu (450 yen x2) - Young ayu tempura (330 yen) - Green onion chashu (390 yen) Drinks: - Lemon sour (350 yen) - Second-generation red lemon sour (390 yen) - Salt tomato sour (350 yen)