After visiting Yasukuni Shrine and taking a walk to Ichigaya, I found myself in front of the JR station wondering where to eat. It was a bit disappointing to have my first meal of the year at a chain restaurant, but it couldn't be helped. The city seemed to be back to normal business with quite a few companies having their first day of work for the year. The restaurant was packed with salarymen during lunchtime, and the "Special Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl" was sold out. I ended up having the "Grilled Chicken Thigh Rice Bowl" with a creamy onsen egg. It came with a rich chicken broth and a small salad on the side.

Yakitori Kushihacchin, the original yakitori restaurant located on the second floor of Plaza Building in Ichigaya! There was a photo of the interior that was different from the one on this site, so I posted it! The yakitori is delicious, of course! I visit this place often after work!

Recently, I have been drinking regularly in Ichigaya, and on this day, after visiting a client with my colleague, we decided to have a drink on our way back to the office because it was an awkward time. We visited a place that opens at 4 pm and started a typical drinking session for a typical salaryman, talking about frustrations at work, complaints, music hobbies, and women. Y was well-known at the company for being a heavy drinker, but I'm also known for my leisurely drinking. We ordered macaroni salad, skewers, and some other snacks, and as usual, I drank a lot of highballs. In the end, we drank for about 6 hours and ended up with a bill that was about twice as much as a normal person's. It's a casual place, so I'll definitely be visiting again.

The chain of three Toyosho Foods stores in Ichigaya, but this one is the best. The grilling, saltiness, and tanginess of the ponzu sauce are just right. They grill each skewer individually, so the portion size is perfect. It's usually packed with commuters returning from Ichigaya on weekdays, but on Saturdays it's only locals, so it's less crowded. They manage to make the chicken wings easy to eat by cutting between the joints. The drink selection isn't extensive, but they offer carbonated drinks with ice in the summer and warm sake in the winter.

There are several eateries in a mixed-use building with a Showa retro atmosphere, and I decided to try one out. The staff were friendly and the ambiance was nice, but honestly, I don't think I'll ever go back. I ordered a few skewers, but they all lacked fat and didn't have that juicy taste. There was no savory smell of yakitori sauce, and the meat was dry and tough, almost like something you'd find in a supermarket deli section. It's a shame because the atmosphere was nice, but the food was disappointing.

I didn't really feel like going in the first place. I just really wanted to eat yakitori, so I was planning on going to the "Ore no Izakaya Sanzo" next to this restaurant, but it was already full, so I reluctantly went in with a friend around 6:40 pm on April 13, 2012. The grated radish appetizer is all-you-can-eat. It's nice for those who like grated radish, but it's not very tasty without sweetness. Almost all yakitori skewers are 105 yen. Cheap. Definitely cheap. The taste is decently good. We ate quite a bit. The sweet potato fries are delicious. They're the same as the sweet potato sticks often sold at festivals in Kawagoe. Please note that there are only oolong tea and Pepsi cola for soft drinks. That's the evaluation of the food. Other than the quality of the food, there's something that makes me go "hmm," and since it's not exceptionally delicious, personally, I won't be coming back next time.

The restaurant is located in a hidden spot in the building, yet it always seems to be overflowing with customers! It takes courage to enter the restaurant, but if you wait for a seat, they will treat you to their original shochu highball called "Lark" and serve cabbage as a complimentary starter. The menu, aside from skewers, is also extensive and satisfying. Even after eating and drinking to your heart's content, you rarely exceed 3000 yen per person. Whenever I visit with friends, we usually end up spending in the 2000 yen range or even less. The secret lies in the membership card - while waiting for a table, you can enjoy a free drink outside the restaurant, looking at the nearby beauty salon. And the free Lark drink with the membership card is an important factor in terms of economy. By the way, the chicken sukiyaki is cheap and delicious, highly recommended!