Meat Bar Baku Gotanda Branch (Gotanda ex Building 1-18 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo) If you exit the west exit of Gotanda Station on the JR Yamanote Line, go left on Sony Street towards Yamanote Street, cross the Meguro River, and on the left just before reaching Yamanote Street, on the 8th floor of the building with Starbucks Coffee, you will find the "Meat Bar Baku Gotanda Branch" that opened in 2017. I happened to see it on "Wednesday Downtown" and was surprised to see one of my favorite izakayas that I had visited several times featured! The target was "Kaminari Manabu" and the mastermind was "Unagi from Gintama." The restaurant had specially secured a large number of staff for the filming, set to instantly provide the menu items that "Kaminari Manabu" ordered within seconds, which seemed impossible for immediate service. The octopus tempura and hot pot rice arrived almost simultaneously with the order (laughs). I burst into laughter at the surprise, confusion, and even fear in the target's reaction. This incident prompted me to visit the restaurant after a long time, and it was almost full as popular as ever. Making a reservation was the right choice. The Premium Malt's 638 yen, Yamazaki Highball 830 yen, Baku Draft Lemon Sour 638 yen, Lime Sour 528 yen, Lin SPF smoked potato salad 680 yen. Along with the drinks, the chicken skin ponzu appetizer arrived, and we toasted! The first dish this time was the classic potato salad from the izakaya. The pork used is Lin SPF pork from Chiba Prefecture, which is a specific pathogen-free pork raised under strict conditions. The fatty and sweet texture of the meat, along with the finely grained tender red meat, is a highlight. In addition to the main potatoes, onions, and the crunchy texture of smoked herring add an accent to the dish. The addition of branded pork elevates it to a top-class potato salad that I would recommend. Organic vegetable assortment 1,280 yen. The carefully selected seasonal organic vegetables were fresh and juicy. The colorful array included beets, carrots, shallots, cucumbers, bell peppers, corinchi, cherry tomatoes, and green leaf lettuce. The homemade meat miso mayo with shichimi added makes it a dish that pairs well with alcohol. Chicken Nanban 950 yen. A perennially popular dish introduced on "Wednesday Downtown." The juicy chicken thigh meat and homemade special tartar sauce with chopped pickled radish provide a crunchy texture. The tartar sauce, rich in ingredients, could stand alone as a standalone dish. Takachiyo 1,200 yen. I ordered the restaurant's recommended sake before the main course. Takachiyo Sake Brewery in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, produces this sake, which is distributed exclusively within Niigata Prefecture. It is a junmai kijoshu with a high aroma, a pleasant umami, and acidity, and a sharp dry finish, allowing for various ways to enjoy it according to your preference. Meat platter 2,980 yen. Using Sendai beef, a domestic A5-grade wagyu, this is the restaurant's No. 1 popular signature dish. The cuts vary depending on the day, and this time it included camel hump and sirloin, as well as grilled chicken. The accompanying vegetables included tomatoes, baby corn, bell peppers, okra, and Kyoto vegetables such as Manpukuji Togarashi, making for a luxurious spread. When eaten with Himalayan pink salt first, the high-quality meat's umami is directly conveyed. In addition to the pink salt, there is also truffle sauce and a "Bursan cheese" mixed with garlic, herbs, and cheese, allowing you to enjoy the meat and vegetables in three different ways. Pickled vegetable assortment 880 yen. Sharaku 1,430 yen. I challenged another sake along with the pickled vegetable assortment. Sharaku from Miyazumi Meijo, boasting in Aizu, Fukushima, is a light and dry sake with a fruity aroma, making it a perfect match for the pickled vegetable assortment. Beef sashimi and toro seared sushi 1,280 yen. The meat sushi, with rib roast almost overflowing from the plate, is seared in front of you, making for a powerful presentation. Before searing, they would say, "Please wait a moment!" and start preparing for video shooting (laughs). When eaten with the sweet and savory sauce with raw egg yolk, it's like eating "sukiyaki."

Tonight's feast is in Gotanda. When you exit the west exit of JR Gotanda Station, head towards Sony Street. Cross the Meguro River and go three blocks. On the 8th floor of Starbucks! Easy to find! If you take the Tokyu Ikegami Line, Osaki Hirokoji Station might be a little closer. The restaurant has a chic, traditional Japanese interior. There is even a secret room with a deliberately created step, which foreign visitors would surely enjoy. Today, we were seated at a table with curtains for privacy. They have a carefully selected lineup of Japanese sake, with a special section for "Today's Shinsei". We tried the Shinsei Brewery No.6 S-type R04BY on the rocks. It was light and refreshing, with a gentle, sweet peach-like aroma. We toasted with Oolong tea! The manager was very friendly, polite, and a great conversationalist. When we shared our preferences, he recommended some of the restaurant's specialties, which built our trust. We decided to leave our order in the manager's hands. For starters, we had grilled chicken skin with ponzu sauce, smoked potato salad with SPF pork, and more. The meal was fantastic, with delicious sake and amazing meat dishes. The attentive and friendly service added to the wonderful experience. Highly recommended! It was so delicious! Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I heard about a recommended restaurant with delicious food and couldn't resist visiting it. So, I went to "Niku Sakaba Baku Gotanda Store." It's about a 5-minute walk from Gotanda Station. As soon as the elevator opened, I entered the restaurant. I was guided to a private room near the entrance. The appetizer was ¥440 for Grilled Chicken Skin with Ponzu Sauce. This dish was not just a simple appetizer; it had a nice charcoal flavor from the grilling process. It was a delightful surprise! From this month's recommendations, I tried the following dishes: - Amera Tomato with Tosazu Vinegar for ¥880, which was perfect for the hot season. - Beef Shabu-Shabu Salad with Chrysanthemum Greens and Homemade Dressing for ¥880. The bitterness of the chrysanthemum greens added an adult taste, and the dressing had a refreshing yuzu flavor. - Fried Taro for ¥680, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. - Aomori Horse Sashimi (Red Meat) for ¥1500, meaty and satisfying. I also tried the special of the day, Roast Black Wagyu Beef for ¥3200, which was A5-grade Sendai beef cooked at a low temperature with truffle sauce. The meat was sweet and the presentation with a variety of colorful vegetables was beautiful. The Lin SPF Ham Cutlet for ¥880 was topped with Gorgonzola sauce, giving it a punchy flavor. The Grilled Sushi with Domestic Rib Roast for ¥1280 was seared right in front of me, and it was delicious with tamago sauce. For dessert, I had Homemade Caramel Ice Cream for ¥408, which was lightly sweet with a subtle aftertaste. They also had Basque Cheesecake and regular desserts like Fondant au Chocolat. I enjoyed green tea after the meal. The restaurant had many foreign customers, and the spacious seating and private rooms made it convenient. I might want to try different menu items on my next visit. Thank you for the meal.

■Access 3 minutes walk from Gotanda Station on the JR Line ■Number of Visits First visit ■Purpose Dinner with friends ■Overview This izakaya is located on the 8th floor of a building on the west side of Gotanda Station. They specialize in combining meat dishes with sake, offering high-quality cuisine that sets them apart from traditional izakayas. They have a variety of private rooms available for different occasions. ■Menu You can order either courses or a la carte dishes. They offer a wide range of meat dishes using premium pork such as Lin SPF, as well as beef and horse meat. On this visit, we ordered the following a la carte dishes: - Smoked potato salad with Lin SPF - Caesar salad with vegetables and cabbage - Special beef tataki - Lin SPF moon-viewing meatballs - Fried taro - Roasted meat sushi with domestic rib roast - Today's black wagyu roast - Chicken nanban approved by Miyazaki locals - Horse liver sashimi - Beef tendon stew curry ■Impressions I chose this restaurant after researching for a place to drink with a friend who loves sake in Gotanda. They have a strong commitment to meat dishes, and we were able to fully enjoy the combination of meat and sake. As it was my first time visiting, I asked the manager for recommendations and ordered the dishes accordingly. The moon-viewing meatballs made with Lin SPF were particularly impressive. The meatballs, similar in size to hamburg steaks, oozed with juices as soon as we cut into them, offering a juicy and flavorful experience. The delicate umami of Lin SPF pork combined with the savory sauce created a perfect balance, delivering a classic and delicious taste loved by everyone. The oversized rib roast meat sushi is a must-try dish. It is seared using a burner right in front of you, providing both entertainment and deliciousness. The fatty rib roast melts in your mouth, pairing perfectly with the rice and leaving a blissful feeling in your mouth. Their selection of sake is also excellent, and they are able to recommend based on your preferences, which is highly appreciated. I would love to visit again when I want to enjoy the combination of meat and sake. Thank you for the wonderful meal. ■Rating at the time of visit 3.30

Recently, there are few restaurants where you can smoke, but you can smoke here. This time, I didn't order the main meat dish, but I think you can tell the level of the restaurant by the side menu. The seasoning may depend on personal preference, but I felt that there was some variation in taste. The staff are working hard, but there seems to be some inconsistency in the taste.

The meat menu was recommended, so I ordered the steak. It was delicious but a bit pricey at 3200 yen. The agedashi fried potatoes were also tasty. Although there were only 5-6 types of sake on the menu, there were about 10 types from Shinsei Shuzo, which was great! This is the place to go when you want to drink Shinsei sake!

Five Tanda has become a fashionable town without realizing it. Nearby, there is a newly renovated meat bar that has just opened. The interior of the restaurant has a nostalgic and cozy atmosphere with tatami mats and low tables. In addition to tatami seating, there are also table seats and private rooms, making it very convenient. Starting with beer and chicken skin ponzu as an appetizer, we ordered recommended dishes. A potato salad topped with half-cooked eggs and potato tempura arrived. The potato salad here is overall mild, with the half-cooked egg doing a great job. The salty potato chips add a nice touch. The potato tempura with crispy coating and creamy potato inside is irresistible. Especially popular with women, it arrives hot, so be careful if you have a sensitive tongue. Next up is an assortment of organic vegetables with homemade meat miso. Mini tomatoes, beets, bell peppers, pickled shallots, and more, all fresh and crispy. The meat miso is surprisingly mild and goes well with the vegetables. After the vegetable dishes, the first highlight of the meat arrives - horse sashimi. It comes in three varieties: liver, tategami (cheek), and marbled meat, each served with sesame oil, spicy miso, or soy sauce. The meat is surprisingly free of any unpleasant odors or flavors, with a sweet and savory taste! Personally, I recommend the tategami (cheek) in particular. The high-quality fat melts gently on the tongue, creating a delicious experience. The second meat dish is a meat platter. It features A5 grade black-haired Japanese beef from Sendai! The amount is also impressive, piled high on the plate. This is a menu item that will surely liven up the table. From chorizo to chicken sauté, and beef cuts like kainomi (skirt steak) and kamenoko (cheek), the beef is carefully selected, showcasing the restaurant's dedication. With truffle sauce, shariapin sauce, wasabi, salt, and yuzu pepper for seasoning, you can enjoy a variety of flavors without getting tired of the generous portion of meat. And of course, we end with meat - seared beef sushi. The beef is so large that you can't even see the plate underneath, making a striking visual impression. The meat is seared in front of you by the staff, giving it a fragrant aroma. Despite having eaten so much meat, you'll find yourself craving more. The sweet fat and meat juices pack a powerful punch, making it a perfect dish to end the meal. Truly a fantastic restaurant for meat lovers.

Currently, the new coronavirus infection is subsiding, and the city is gradually regaining its vitality. At such a time, I received an invitation for dinner from an acquaintance. I was looking forward to meeting a friend whom I hadn't seen in a long time. After finishing work, I headed to the restaurant my friend, who loves Japanese sake, had reserved. The restaurant is located near Gotanda Station. The meeting time was set for 7:00 PM, and when I checked the time at Shinagawa Station, it was 6:20 PM. Clearly, it was too early, so I decided to walk from Shinagawa. It's only about a 20-minute walk from here, so it's not a big distance. Walking with my smartphone in hand, I arrived at the restaurant 5 minutes before the meeting time. Looking around, I saw a familiar face just arriving. I thanked my friend for making the reservation as we took the elevator to the 8th floor. At that point, I thought the restaurant would be quiet since it was 7:00 PM, but to my surprise! The restaurant was bustling, with about 70% of the seats already taken. When I asked the staff who welcomed us, they mentioned that today almost all the seats were reserved. It felt like everyone's suppressed desire for dining out due to the coronavirus was suddenly unleashed. I once again expressed my gratitude to my friend for making the reservation. We were seated in a private room. Although the entrance was separated by a curtain, the walls were solidly divided, and we could hardly hear conversations from other tables. This allowed us to relax comfortably without feeling crowded, even with four people. First, I had a glass of beer. My favorite premium malt beer. It had a fruity taste, making it the best choice for the first sip. We ordered a la carte dishes: - Appetizer: Chicken Skin Ponzu - Soft-boiled Egg Potato Salad - Iburi Gakko Cheese - Organic Vegetable Assortment - Mongolian Grassland Horse Smoked Yukke - Large Lin SPF Ham Cutlet - Lotus Root Manju - Meat Plate Assortment Each dish was delicious, and the atmosphere was lively. It was a wonderful dining experience.

I visited the restaurant on the same day with a reservation. I sat in a tatami room with low ceilings and a table that looked like it came out of an anime, like a secret base. The drink order came quickly and I didn't have to wait long to start drinking. The food order was a mix of fast and slow, with some dishes taking longer than others. The meat and vegetable dishes were both delicious. The meat platter came with salt, wasabi, mustard, and two sauces, so there was plenty of variety to keep things interesting. There were about 5 different types of lemon sour drinks to choose from, and you could upgrade to a larger size for an extra 300 yen. I would definitely like to visit again.

I used it to celebrate the birthday of a colleague at work. You can request a birthday plate in advance, with a high-quality design and they bring it out at the perfect timing!!! I'm not sure if they always do this service, so you may want to inquire! I like how the staff introductions are posted in the restroom, it gives off a lively vibe. I tried a sake called "Ama Neko" and it was delicious, so I recommend it! The food is reasonably priced considering it's Gotanda! It's a tough time for everyone now, but I hope the restaurant survives and continues to operate energetically!

Famous dish! Meat platter! Sendai beef is delicious! Meat and Japanese sake at private room izakaya Baku Gotanda branch. The day before my birthday, my mother invited me to Gotanda. We couldn't have a flashy birthday party due to the timing, so we decided to enjoy a hearty meat meal together! I can't fight on an empty stomach o(〃＾▽＾〃)o Meat and Japanese sake at private room izakaya Baku Gotanda branch (Yumekui) Tokyo, Shinagawa-ku, Nishi-Gotanda 1-18 Gotandaex Building 8F JR Gotanda Station West Exit 3 minutes walk Tokyu Ikegami Line Gotanda Station West Exit 3 minutes walk Toei Asakusa Line Gotanda Station West Exit 3 minutes walk 112m from Osaki Hirokoji Station Opening hours From March 22 (Monday), the following business hours will be in effect. open 11:00 close 21:00 (last order for food 20:30, last order for drinks 20:00) *Please contact us for business hours outside of the above. Open on Sundays Irregular holidays I usually drink regardless of the genre, but what did I drink today? (laughs) This restaurant offers a wide selection of carefully selected local sake from all over Japan to match the dishes, so I chose Japanese sake! Niigata Takachiyo Sake Brewery Peach-labeled Takachiyo sake with the image of peach flavor ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 It had a sweet aroma and tasted delicious! Cheers♪ (*^^)o∀*∀o(^^*) Yeah♪ Appetizer Chicken skin with ponzu sauce ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 Avocado yukhoe ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 There was a raw egg yolk on top of the avocado! It was my first experience with avocado yukhoe (laughs) When I tried it, ((*´゜艸゜｀*)) delicious♪ Beef ichibo tataki ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 It was delicious when I squeezed lemon on it! Needless to say, it was delicious ('◇')ゞ Famous dish! Meat platter ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 They say the order rate exceeds 90%! I came to eat this meat platter because I wanted to! (*´艸｀) Giggles Beef harami steak, grilled chicken, daily steak, chorizo assortment, the best cost performance menu! The daily steak was so tender♪ As for the taste, (●>艸<) delicious!! Even though it was meat, it melted as soon as I put it in my mouth! It was truly exquisite. Assorted organic vegetables of the day ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 You have to eat vegetables, not just meat (@⌒～⌒@) munch munch Fresh vegetables Sunny lettuce, paprika (red, yellow), purple carrot, chives, eschalot, red pickled radish, red pickled turnip, gold sweet carrot, purple cabbage! Crunchy and delicious~ Overflowing! Beef toro seared sushi ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 The seared sushi grilled in front of you with a gas burner was amazing! Psycho━+゜*。:゜+(人*´∀`)+゜:。*゜+.━━!! It was Instagram-worthy seared sushi! Once I tasted it, it was delicious━(●゜∀゜●)━! Worth trying! Baku lemon sour ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 Irresistible to lemon lovers (laughs) The lemon was refreshing, and I was very satisfied! Name-rolled raw fish ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 The flavor of the ingredients was well infused, and it was very delicious! Matcha black honey ice cream ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 The gentle sweetness spread in my mouth, with a sweet and beautiful taste! Sakura mochi ice cream ★─☆。o゜。★─☆。o゜。 When should I go eat this next time? .((((*。>ω<)ノGoGo♪

☆Osaki-Hirokoji Station, Gotanda Station☆ I visited the izakaya and lunch spot "Koshitsu Izakaya Baku" for the first time for lunch. I had previously used it as an izakaya, but this was my first time trying their lunch menu. I decided to go with the Chicken Nanban set meal. The dish had plenty of meat, and the tartar sauce was generously spread over it. It was my favorite tartar chicken. Thank you for the meal.

I always passed by this shop while paying attention to the signboard. Due to its inconvenient location on the 8th floor of a mixed-use building, I had been avoiding it. It seems that their specialty lunch is all-you-can-eat fried chicken. I wasn't in the mood for fried chicken, so I decided to go for the whimsical set meal with hamburger. The main dish was meat, and the miso-grilled three-element pork set meal also looked delicious. The interior of the restaurant is exactly what you would expect from a dining place in a mixed-use building. The atmosphere is not very cozy. It was disappointing that it took too long for the food to be served after ordering, especially during lunchtime when time is crucial for office workers. I saw other dishes on the menu, but it seems that fried chicken is the most popular choice. Oh, and the hamburger was okay. It lacked in volume though. It's a bit of a hassle to climb up to the 8th floor, but I will come back if I have the chance. Thank you for the meal.

[Overall] - A izakaya in Gotanda Station where you can eat horse sashimi - A wide variety of lemon sour options [Dishes] - Horse sashimi (Koune) - 680 yen Sashimi of the neck part of the horse. It has a good amount of fat but is not too heavy and delicious. - Duck Carpaccio - 780 yen Carpaccio made from duck meat. - Shrimp and avocado tartare Served on a bucket. Baguette is refillable.

I went to an izakaya near Gotanda Station. The interior of the restaurant had a dim atmosphere. I was seated in a loft seat. The main dishes were meat, with no fish dishes available. They had a variety of dishes such as beef and chicken. The dishes that I particularly enjoyed were the chicken nanban and fried burdock. The chicken nanban had large, juicy pieces of chicken and the sauce paired well with alcohol. The fried burdock was also a great appetizer. The total bill for three people was close to 30,000 yen. We may have had a bit too much to drink. There was a wide selection of alcohol available, but they were a bit pricey. This contributed to the overall high cost. I would like to visit again if I have the chance. The staff were very friendly and provided excellent service.

I ordered the motsunabe course meal. There were 10 dishes in total, but I managed to eat until the end. The champon at the end was too salty because the broth was cooked down too much, haha. I recommend tasting it before adding the champon. The photo shows red meat and mane of horse meat. It was delicious to eat with spicy miso. The soy sauce was also sweet and tasty. It was fully booked, so reservations are essential.

The location of the restaurant, called Yumekui, on the 8th floor of a mixed-use building was a bit hard to find without a big sign on the road. The interior of the restaurant had a cozy izakaya vibe, slightly dimly lit. I ordered the chicken karaage set for ¥680. Surprisingly, this set came with unlimited rice and karaage. You first order how many pieces of karaage you want, then you can have unlimited refills. The set also included salad, pickles, miso soup, and a soft drink for this price! With the all-you-can-eat karaage, you would expect a crowd of young people, but the restaurant was actually quite empty. Only two other groups came in while I was there. The taste of the set meal was average, although the rice was not very tasty and became hard after some time. The main karaage was juicy and freshly fried to order, and I could only eat 9 pieces because of the generous portion. Overall, it was a satisfying meal with great value for lunch. Oh, and the "Danger point" sign on the wall was amusing! 😄

I went to Gotanda. For lunch that day, I visited a private room izakaya called "Niku to Wa SAKE no Koshitsu Izakaya Baku (Yumekui)" on the 8th floor of a building in Nishi-Gotanda. When I arrived at the restaurant, I noticed that it was spelled as "Yumekui" instead of "Baku," which reminded me of the creature "Baku." It's definitely a place where dreams are devoured. When I took the elevator to the 8th floor, there was alcohol disinfection and temperature checks at the entrance. It had been a while since I had my temperature checked upon entering a place. It made me curious about my temperature too. I was seated at a partitioned table. I noticed that there was hand sanitizer on the table, and I appreciated the thorough infection prevention measures. I ordered the "Karaage Teishoku" (fried chicken set meal) and when I placed my order, I was asked how many pieces of karaage I wanted. I chose 6 pieces and opted for regular rice. I saw a sign on the wall that said "DANGER POINT," which piqued my curiosity. The karaage was cut into chunks to ensure thorough cooking. The taste was average. I thought the restaurant could be a bit brighter inside. Overall, it was a satisfying meal. In terms of infection prevention measures: Hand sanitizer: ✔︎ Ventilation: ✔︎ Social distancing: ✔︎ Partitions, seating spacing: ✔︎ Staff wearing masks: ✔︎ Temperature check upon entry: Yes

Today's restaurant is Baku, a private room izakaya near Gotanda Station. At the entrance, they disinfect your hands with alcohol. They also measure your temperature with a contactless thermometer before entering. Each table is equipped with alcohol for disinfection along with a welcome message card. The restaurant is taking various measures to prevent the spread of the virus, such as alcohol disinfection and temperature checks for customers, spacing out tables, providing alcohol spray at each table, hourly disinfection by staff, wearing masks, and regular ventilation. The food and drinks were delicious, with a wide selection of sake. The atmosphere was great, and we ended up staying longer than planned.

Introducing a delicious restaurant. The restaurant I'm introducing today is "Niku to WA SAKE no Koshitsu Izakaya Baku Gotanda Store" located near Gotanda Station. Of course, we made a reservation and visited the restaurant. It was a good idea to make a reservation. By the time it passed 8:00 p.m., it was almost full. (I didn't realize how crowded it was because we were seated at a private table!!) If we hadn't made a reservation, we might not have been able to get in. When we were seated, a friendly staff member explained today's all-you-can-drink options. The reserved course this time was a luxurious course with "horse sashimi three-point platter and seared wagyu zabuton steak!! Please try it once♪♪ ★ You can add dessert for an extra 200 yen! ★ You can add premium all-you-can-drink for 500 yen, and you can add all-you-can-drink for 10 types of sake for an extra 1500 yen!" I was curious about the +1,500 yen for 10 types of sake. The basic all-you-can-drink option includes premium malt, but for an additional fee, you can enjoy a higher quality shochu like "Sato" for an extra 500 yen. On the other hand, the plan that captured the heart of a sake lover like me is here. For an extra 1,500 yen, you can enjoy Niigata and Fukui sake such as "Koshino Kagemaru" and "Kokuryu" all-you-can-drink. So, we sake lovers changed to the all-you-can-drink sake course♪. But first, cheers with a premium malt beer. As always, why is this first drink so delicious? To keep things interesting, the first dish served was 【1】 Today's appetizer Edamame. There was plenty for four people to enjoy. The saltiness and cooking were perfect, and it was hard to stop eating. Next, following the edamame, was 【2】 Assorted appetizers - boiled spinach and bacon, and kinpira burdock. Oh, this timing is great too. Although the edamame was delicious, I was starting to want to try something else. The boiled spinach appetizer is refreshing and good. The bacon hidden inside adds a slight hint of fat which is nice. The kinpira burdock, with a bit of spiciness from the red pepper, pairs well with the sake. Now, in the middle of the appetizers, the beer is almost finished... so it's time to change to sake♪ The first sake was "Kokuryu". A daiginjo sake from Fukui. This is... delicious from the start. When you take a sip, you'll feel a gentle texture and a fruity aroma spreading in your mouth. You can taste the sweetness and a refreshing umami. Next was the vegetable and pork shabu-shabu salad. The pork is lightly cooked, so the meat itself is refreshing, but it goes well with the homemade dressing. The aroma of the sesame dressing is nice. The next sake was Echire. A sake from Akita. A junmai sake from Shinsei Sake Brewery. Echire is a French word, right? Bonjour~. It's unusual to have French in Japanese sake. By the way, Echire means "pale" in color. When you take a sip, you'll feel a slight acidity and the soft flavor of Akita's sake rice "Sakemachi" spreading in your mouth. The next dish was a special selection of horse sashimi platter. It included lean meat and red meat horse sashimi. Wrap the lean meat with the red meat and dip it in sauce for a mouthful. The lean meat melts on your tongue, while the red meat provides a perfect texture. It's a wonderful harmony. There is no smell, and both taste great when dipped in sweet and salty soy sauce and spicy miso. Next was Koshino Kagemaru. Sake from Niigata. A famous sake that also appeared in the manga "Sake to Koi ni wa...". The first sip was different from the sake I had before, with a water-like mouthfeel. However, as you continue to sip, the rich umami and sweetness of the sake start to come through.

Baku's Motsu Nabe (Shinagawa, Tokyo) A generous and flat pot overflowing with the richness of fat The gratitude for this flavor Tonkotsu Shoutarou Just a 3-minute walk from Gotanda Station. I had the pleasure of enjoying delicious motsu nabe at a restaurant called Yume Kui (Baku). On this day, I went with three colleagues who are big drinkers. We reserved the motsu nabe course with 3 hours of all-you-can-drink for less than 4000 yen, making it a great deal. When we arrived at the restaurant, a friendly and handsome manager greeted us. The sociable handsome manager was likable even to us middle-aged men (laughs). We started our feast at a spacious table separated by curtains. Despite the lively chatter around us, the sense of privacy from the curtains allowed us to focus on our conversation. We raised our glasses of Premium Malts, snacked on edamame and sesame mackerel, and had lively discussions. The pork shabu salad, satsuma-age, and chicken Karaage... all had a perfect balance of flavors, not the typical strong taste of izakaya dishes. Delicious food not only enhances the taste of the alcohol but also brightens and livens up the conversation. Among them, the main motsu nabe was truly outstanding. The quality of the motsu and the broth were exceptional. When I asked the handsome manager, he mentioned that a chef from Hakata was skillfully preparing the dishes. Surely, he must have been surrounded by the authentic flavors since childhood, honing his palate. The crispy motsu. Delicious. The richness of the fresh fat spread throughout my mouth. I refreshed my palate with a slightly strong highball before savoring it again. It was an unstoppable routine of deliciousness. The lovely female staff member with a smile on her face prepared the finale, champon noodles. Motsu nabe in the middle of winter. Completely satisfied. This taste, this cost performance, and this service. Amazing, Baku. Thank you for the feast. #MeatAndJapaneseSakeBaku #Gotanda #MotsuNabe #GotandaGourmet #SatsumaAge #Delicious #Yummy #Tasty #Delicious #Nabe #FoodieClub #TonkotsuShoutarou #FoodieHaiku

Today's drinking party was planned with just the guys, so I was determined to eat and drink heartily. As I was searching for the restaurant in front of the building, I couldn't find "Baku" as expected. But then I noticed the words "Yumekui" and upon closer inspection, I found "Baku" written small. It's true that Baku is said to eat dreams, but I wish they had just written "Yumekui" on the sign to avoid confusion. For the appetizer, we had chicken skin with ponzu sauce. For the side dishes, we ordered smoked cheese, Caesar salad, and decided to finish with the "Overflowing! Seared Beef Toro Sushi". Along the way, we ordered sesame marinated bonito, miso-grilled herb pork, deep-fried taro, and a plate of horse sashimi. The horse sashimi included heart, knee, liver, lean meat, and marbled meat, to be enjoyed with salt sesame oil or soy sauce. The dishes were all rich in flavor, so we felt like having some sake. The sake menu included Kokuryu, Shirakiku, Jozen Mizuno Gotoshi, Toyo Bijin, and Suminoe. We started with Shirakiku, followed by Jozen Mizuno Gotoshi and Kokuryu. Later, I realized there was also Shinsei S, R, X available, and I regretted not trying the tasting set. Feeling a bit tipsy, we decided to end with the seared beef toro sushi. Thinly sliced beef toro covered the rice, seared with a burner at the table to perfection. The fatty meat melted just right, and it was delicious dipped in the sauce with egg yolk. It was like enjoying sukiyaki. Indeed, it was an izakaya where you could savor Japanese sake and meat.