■Chan Chan Pot 3.5

I think the customer service is good, but considering the quality of the food and the atmosphere of the restaurant, the average customer spending is around 6000-7000 yen, but it can exceed 15000 yen with dishes like sashimi platter, sea bream dumpling hot pot, porridge, and 2 beers.

In Ginza and Kyobashi, we had lunch, and later that evening, we were invited to a "chanko" restaurant. Despite the hot weather, we decided to go. The restaurant, called "Ichinotani," is located near Akihabara, close to Suehirocho station. It is run by former sumo wrestler Ichinotani, who retired and opened the restaurant over 30 years ago. The restaurant is decorated with pictures of sumo wrestlers from the Ichinotani lineage. We enjoyed delicious dishes like pickled shallots with shiso, sesame miso-dressed fuki, and assorted sashimi. The highlight was the chanko nabe with large fish meatballs, served in a clear and refreshing broth. The meal ended with delicious rice porridge and pickles. Despite feeling full, the food was light and easy to enjoy. Overall, the chanko at Ichinotani is highly recommended, especially during the summer when it's less crowded. Thank you for the wonderful meal at Ichinotani.

About a 10-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station. Located on a side street, with no menu displayed outside, which may make it seem intimidating for first-time visitors, but the inside is welcoming. The restaurant has many sumo-related antiques, which are fun to look at. We ordered two beers, two sake, sashimi of yellowtail and herring roe, kusaya (fermented fish), and chanko hot pot for two. The chanko hot pot had a salt-based broth that was absolutely delicious. The broth was flavorful, with no fishy or oily taste, and had a gentle round flavor. The hint of yuzu was just right. We finished with ochazuke, and were completely satisfied. The hostess took great care of us, and the owner even greeted us with a smile. Although the menu had no prices, we would definitely like to visit this restaurant again.

I went to a delicious restaurant with a friend. We were taken to a room with grand sculptures at Suzaku, and ordered a sashimi platter, vinegar-marinated oysters, chanko, and sake. While enjoying the sashimi and sake, we noticed that the chanko was taking a while to arrive. Eventually, a young person who seemed to be in training brought it out, and we were impressed by the attentive service. The restaurant has been around for 39 years and the food was not only delicious but truly impressive. The fact that they focus on one dish and excel at it is quite charming. The interior of the restaurant is like something out of a movie or a Miyazaki anime, with powerful sculptures and sumo-related items creating a unique atmosphere. The cleanliness of the place was also remarkable, with no dust in sight despite the rugged appearance. It may look old-fashioned from the outside, but it is well-maintained and suitable for female customers. I look forward to bringing my wife here next time.

Located just a stone's throw away from Kanda Myojin Shrine, this chanko nabe restaurant stands quietly in a back alley. It may be a bit hard to find as it's tucked away from the main street, but it exudes an atmosphere that makes you want to visit. Upon entering, you'll be struck by the unexpectedly high ceiling. There's something about high ceilings in a restaurant that gives a sense of openness and makes you feel at ease. The interior is adorned with decorations reminiscent of old sumo stables, wooden plaques, sumo wrestler statues, and numerous marbles. The history and grandeur give off a truly Japanese vibe. Due to the humid rainy season, it was quite empty when I visited... but I heard it gets packed in winter. As for the chanko nabe, the clear golden broth is visually striking, and the sweetness of the seafood is amazing! The ingredients include Chinese cabbage, green onions, shungiku (edible chrysanthemum), enoki mushrooms, cubed tofu, konjac, and sea bream meatballs. No other fish or meat is included. In other words, the soup, made from kombu, seafood, and meatballs, is rich and flavorful, and you get to enjoy plenty of simmered vegetables until they become tender. The sensation of biting into the soft Chinese cabbage or green onions that have been simmered until tender... the deliciousness of that moment is unforgettable. And above all, the sea bream meatballs with their sweet, fluffy, and tender texture were irresistible. The udon noodles served as the finishing touch were also excellent, as expected. A companion who joined me mentioned that while the udon was outstanding, the mochi in winter is even more amazing. A must-try side dish is the egg tofu. It's fluffy, creamy, and generously sized, a definite hit for those who enjoy it. It seems to be run by a family, as the service was extremely quick and friendly. I visited with regular customers and they treated us to various complimentary items. I definitely want to come back in winter for the mochi! Toilet rating: 2 (spacious, but a unisex toilet with one male and one shared toilet, no bidet function)

I felt like eating delicious Chanko-nabe, so I went to this restaurant! The atmosphere inside was very nice, and the food was delicious. We had sashimi, Chanko-nabe, and finally Ojiya, so we enjoyed the Chanko-nabe until the very end! I ordered hot sake to match the atmosphere, and when the food is delicious, the sake is delicious too! It's always crowded, so it's better to make a reservation. The seasoning was also elegant. It has become a restaurant that I want to visit again!

Next to Kanda Myojin, there is a place with a certain atmosphere. Is Ichinotani the name of the place? The owner politely greeted me even while I was eating. Is this owner Ichinotani? There are no prices on the menu. Starting with sashimi - tuna, scallops, amberjack. The quality and quantity were both fantastic. The vinegar dish with plenty of eggs and seaweed with baby clams was also excellent. And then, chanko hot pot. Elegant broth with kombu and bonito flakes. Lots of vegetables. Tofu, torn konjac, and other ingredients were elaborate. The delicate fish ball made from sea bream paired perfectly with it. I kept saying "fantastic," but it truly was. Beer, hot sake, and cold sake. Just under 10,000 yen for one person. It was a great experience enjoying all that.

Ichino-tani, who retired from active duty at the Moto-kozuka stable, opened this chanko nabe restaurant with 30 years of history. Located in Sotokanda, it is the only choice for delicious chanko in the city center, as chanko restaurants are mainly found in the eastern part of Tokyo such as Ryogoku, Asakusa, and Kameido (although it is a bit on the pricier side). It is also convenient for entertaining guests. As you walk down the dimly lit street near Kanda Shrine, you will come across a quaint sliding door entrance (the exterior is quite impressive, but it's hard to see during the day). Inside the restaurant, you can feel the history of Edo in the old traditional house, which is spacious. The solid counter and dignified raised tatami area, as well as the effectively used thick old wood, are impressive. Along the walls, there are tasteful antiques such as old sumo rankings, decorative sashes, and folk crafts. The cozy atmosphere of this hidden gem is lovely. A menu written with a brush on bamboo bark appears. When you come here, you must try the specialty chanko with sea bream dumplings. But first, start with a beer and sashimi. The pride of the chanko nabe is the high-quality soup made with kelp, with a light and delicate flavor. The ingredients include unique pink sea bream dumplings, enoki mushrooms, tofu, garlic chives, burdock root, and carrot in the shape of a military fan (lol). There is no meat included. No fish fillets, shrimp, or shellfish either. Even if they were included, they would definitely be a distraction in this chanko. Simple, elegant, this chanko almost seems like a diet food. Finally, finish with a porridge. The delicious broth from the sea bream (and the fact that the soup is not cloudy) makes it a superb dish. It seems to be a family-run business, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and excellent service. Unlike chanko restaurants in Ryogoku (which I also love), you can enjoy a leisurely atmosphere here, savoring chanko and sake in a relaxed manner. It's a fantastic restaurant where you can feel the happiness of enjoying chanko and sake at your own pace.

It was a bit on the pricey side.

★★★Furari Trip by Kazuhiko Ota★★★ A cool and nostalgic Chanko Nabe restaurant established in 1973. They have a counter and private seating areas. The owner, originally from Aomori, and his son, a former sumo wrestler (ring name Ichinoya), run the place together. Recommended dish: Assorted sashimi and Sea Bream Meatball Chanko Nabe with Ojiya porridge as the finishing touch. Price: 3240 yen. The only sake available is Ichinoya from Fukui.