This time, I will write about two visits together. My home is nearby, and the landlady is also from Hokkaido, so I visit occasionally. The restaurant is always crowded, but this time it was relatively empty because I visited early. I sat at the counter and ordered my usual lemon sour, sashimi trio, burdock tempura, omelette, fried chicken, and finally the limited-time menu item "Kushiro Ramen" to finish. When it comes to Hokkaido ramen, Sapporo's miso, Hakodate's salt, and Asahikawa's soy sauce are known as the three major ramen styles. The fourth ramen style is the soy sauce-flavored "Kushiro Ramen". Kushiro Ramen is defined as having thin curly noodles and a light soy sauce-based soup. Unlike recent regional ramen styles, Kushiro Ramen has a surprisingly long history dating back to the Taisho era. It is said to have originated when a chef from Yokohama brought a Chinese-style noodle dish made with wheat flour, chicken eggs, salt, and water to a Western-style restaurant called Taiyotei in Kushiro. The dish was then adapted to suit the local tastes of Kushiro. After World War II, during the heyday of the North Pacific Fishing Company, food stalls lined the port to cater to the fishermen coming in from the sea, solidifying Kushiro Ramen's position. The ramen that arrived was exactly what I found when searching for "Kushiro Ramen". The toppings included boiled egg, seaweed, surimi, and a large slice of pork char siu, creating a beautiful visual. The soup was light yet flavorful. Delicious! The noodles were thin and curly. The char siu was large, thinly sliced, and incredibly tender.

Located in a residential area away from the bustling streets of Musashi-Koyama, this hidden gem is well-known among local residents. The restaurant offers delicious dishes at very affordable prices, making it a great find. One highly recommended dish is the assorted sashimi platter, featuring three types of fish that are fresh and beautifully presented. Pair it with rice for a satisfying sashimi set meal. While the restaurant is a great spot for enjoying drinks, it also serves as a casual dining option for dinner. The cozy interior has a small counter and a few tables, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The master and hostess are friendly and attentive, making first-time visitors feel at ease. The dishes are all made with care and attention to detail, using fresh ingredients and homemade recipes. The sashimi platter, in particular, is a standout dish with a generous portion at a very reasonable price. Other recommended dishes include the garlic chicken, which is flavorful and generously topped with fried garlic. The crispy and spicy burdock tempura is also a great choice for pairing with drinks. Overall, the restaurant offers a unique dining experience with delicious food and friendly service.

On July 21, 2022, I visited this small izakaya with two friends. It is not far from Musashi-Koyama Station, but hidden in a back alley, giving it a cozy atmosphere. The husband and wife running the place serve generous and delicious dishes. The appetizer of the day (220 yen) was char siu. We ordered the "Sashimi Three-Point Assortment" (950 yen), which actually came with four types of sashimi that day. The sashimi was incredibly fresh and tasty, with varieties changing depending on the season and availability. The dishes we had included fresh horse mackerel sashimi, homemade cured mackerel, red sea bream cured with kelp, and dried squid, all served with ginger soy sauce. We also tried the "Bitter Melon Ohitashi" (500 yen), which was perfect for the hot weather, and the "Corn Tempura" (550 yen), a must-try with its sweet and salty flavor. The "Napa Cabbage Oshinko" (300 yen) was a nice palate cleanser. The "Grilled Chicken Thigh with Garlic" (600 yen) was juicy and flavorful, generously topped with minced garlic sauce. The "Old-Fashioned Napolitan" (700 yen) was a unique dish, a modern twist on classic Napolitan pasta. For drinks, we had a "Fresh Lemon Sour" (450 yen), an "Ice Cola" (350 yen), a "Koshino Kagetora Junmai Sake (Niigata)" (770 yen), and a "Refrigerated Sake Retro Kirin Bessin Dry (Niigata)" (650 yen), which was a rare vintage sake from the Meiji era. We also enjoyed a "Oolong Highball" (400 yen). All prices mentioned are inclusive of tax. What's amazing about this place is the unexpectedly high quality of the food. The hospitality of the husband and wife team made us feel welcome and comfortable. It's a great place to enjoy a drink and chat while watching TV at the counter. It's not a place for large groups, but rather perfect for individuals or couples. This hidden gem in Musashi-Koyama is definitely worth a visit. I look forward to coming back again. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

On October 17, 2018, I visited this restaurant alone after a long time. I have been here countless times for everyday use. The location is behind Musashi-Koyama Station, turning left into a small alley at the intersection of Meguro Ward Central Gymnasium Entrance on Route 26, beyond the cafe "Peekaboo." It is run by a kind couple and the atmosphere is cozy in this small shop. It's not a well-known place, but the food is voluminous and delicious. The appetizer is spaghetti with ham and vegetables. It is full of ingredients and delicious. Today, I had the "Live Octopus" (580 yen) ... Takuzo-san is known for sashimi. I usually have the 3-piece sashimi platter (900 yen), but today I felt like eating octopus, so I ordered this dish. What came out was a large live octopus sucker! Happy♪ Boiled octopus has its own flavor, but the chewy feeling of raw octopus is a pleasure. "Chicken Thigh Garlic Grill" (580 yen) ... I have had the grilled chicken thigh (500 yen) a few times before, but this was my first time trying the garlic grill. Unlike the grilled chicken thigh with fresh garlic flavor that I imagined, it was topped with a lot of fried garlic (laughs). The sweet and savory sauce, plenty of green onions, and the crispy texture and fragrant taste of garlic go well together. "Traditional Napolitan" (680 yen) ... The ingredients are plenty of ham, onions, green peppers, shimeji mushrooms, and more. It's bright red (laughs). The sweet and sour flavor of tomato ketchup is nostalgic and delicious. It was more voluminous than I expected, but I managed to finish it somehow. This could easily serve two people. The drinks I had were "Fresh Lemon Sour" (430 yen), "Square Highball" (430 yen), and "Green Tea Highball" (380 yen). [What's amazing about this place] It's a cheap (sorry!) but very cozy restaurant. Both the food and the master couple are warm. [It would be nice if...] Nothing in particular. Since it's a small shop, please don't overcrowd it with a large group. It's just right for 2 or 3 people. I will visit again. Thank you for the meal.

Luxurious yet affordable.

I visited this place as my second stop on a regular night. It was a bit hard to find, so I got lost before finally arriving. There were no other customers, so I sat at the counter. First, I had a beer, which is always the best after a day of work. Then, I ordered a sashimi assortment, which was a good deal at 900 yen for three types of sashimi – octopus, yellowtail, and horse mackerel. It came with plenty of ginger, wasabi, myoga, green onions, and daikon radish. The taste was just okay though. The octopus was a bit salty, maybe it was boiled in salt. After that, I had a highball and yellowtail sashimi with grated daikon. The yellowtail sashimi was quite rich in flavor, maybe a bit too strong for my taste. In total, for two dishes and two drinks, it was just under 3000 yen. It's a casual and enjoyable place to dine. Thank you for the meal.

On November 17, 2016, I visited this restaurant countless times. The appearance is cheap (sorry), but the food is incredibly delicious. I always sit at the counter, watch the TV in front of me, and enjoy chatting with the master couple and other customers in a relaxed atmosphere. The appetizer is simmered butterbur and bamboo shoots. The master's cooking is always gentle and delicious. I had the "Assorted 3 Dish Plate" (900 yen) which included red snapper, cured mackerel, and live turban shell. The quality for this price is unbelievable! The red snapper is full of flavor, the cured mackerel is thinly sliced and well-cured, and the live turban shell is fresh and delicious, even the liver. The "Grilled Chicken Thigh with Homemade Sauce" (500 yen) is juicy and flavorful, with the sweet and savory homemade sauce complementing it well. The "Meat Simmered Udon" (680 yen) is incredibly delicious, with a variety of vegetables and a pork loin meat, making it nutritious and warming. The flavor is slightly sweet, similar to sukiyaki. The drinks I had were "Fresh Lemon Sour" (430 yen), "Ice Rainbow Sour" (330 yen), and "Green Tea Highball" (380 yen). The portions were a bit too much for one person, but all the dishes were perfect with alcohol. This small restaurant is a hidden gem that I want to keep to myself, not a place for large groups to rush in. On June 15, 2016, I revisited the restaurant after about 2 years. Congratulations on the 4th anniversary of the opening. Regular customers came to celebrate, and the place was almost full. I had the "Assorted 3 Dish Plate" (900 yen) which included yellowtail, black rockfish, and flathead fish. The dishes were unique and incredibly fresh and delicious. The "Burdock Spicy Fried" (400 yen) was thickly cut burdock root fried to tenderness, perfect for beer or sour. The "Thick Cut Ham Cutlet" (500 yen) was incredibly thick, and the not-so-high-quality ham was just right. The "Tamagoyaki" (430 yen) was freshly made and had a gentle flavor, like something your mother would make. The "Old-fashioned Napolitan" (680 yen) was mentioned before, and the master is indeed a Napolitan expert. The chewy spaghetti and ketchup balance were perfect. The drinks I had were "Fresh Lemon Sour" (430 yen) and "Square Highball" (430 yen). Despite its inconspicuous location, this small restaurant is incredibly warm and special to me. On March 5, 2014, I visited the restaurant for the first time since the 1st-anniversary event. Takuzo-san and his family run this small izakaya. It's close to the station but tucked away in a back alley, making it a hidden gem known mostly to locals. It has a cozy atmosphere. The main dishes are home-cooked, but the master's skills are professional. I had the "Sashimi Assorted 3 Dish Plate" (800 yen) which included globefish, cured mackerel, and turban shell, a great deal for the price. The "Negima Skewer" (400 yen) was large and juicy, with a sweet sauce that was irresistible. The "Thick Cut Ham Cutlet" (450 yen) was surprisingly thick and crispy, but I had to take some home as it was too much. The "Grilled Rice Ball" (400 yen) was a must for me, and this one was perfect. I had a great time chatting with the customer next to me. The drinks I had were "Square Highball" (380 yen) x2 and "Fresh Lemon Sour" (400 yen) x2. It's a perfect place for a casual drink or dinner, and you can easily stop by alone. On July 24, 2013, I visited the restaurant after a month. I found out on Facebook that it was their 1st-anniversary, so I rushed over. Today, they had a 2000 yen all-you-can-drink special (draft beer, shochu) and a buffet style with the master's delicious dishes.

Visited on June 28, 2015 (already more than 10 times), this is a high-quality Japanese izakaya in Musashi-Koyama, which is known for its wide variety of dining options. The sashimi platter, priced at 850 yen, offers more quantity and higher quality seafood compared to chain izakayas. The assortment includes red snapper, octopus, and horned turban shells, but the selection may vary daily with options like horse mackerel, rockfish, and squid. The clean cuts and superb texture of the sashimi suggest skilled knife work by the chef. The daily specials board features a tender 200g sirloin steak for only 680 yen, a great value. The beef tataki, with a slightly firm texture and sweet soy-mirin sauce, is also recommended. The simmered dishes like flounder and beef tendons are flavorful yet maintain their firmness. Priced in the 500-600 yen range, these dishes offer great value for their quality and quantity. Additionally, the izakaya staples like fried chicken and chicken meatballs are well-seasoned, and the soba and miso soup for finishing are also cost-effective. I definitely want to continue visiting this restaurant.