Inoue

When an evening calls for small plates lined up along the counter and sips of sake poured to match, izakaya Inoue in Nakagyo Ward's Shimokawaracho is an inviting destination. Many guests start with the homemade shumai dumplings, a comforting signature served steaming and fresh, alongside the fluffy dashimaki rolled omelet. Fried selections also make natural partners for a drink, from the fragrant kick of chicken tenders dusted with sansho pepper to crisp corn kakiage tempura that brings out the sweet flavor of the kernels.

The roster of unpretentious dishes is extensive, featuring raw nagaimo yam paired with freshly grated wasabi, chilled tofu topped with salted fish entrails (shutou), mackerel heshiko cured in rice bran, and overnight-dried horse mackerel—dishes crafted to be savored slowly between glasses. Drinks include bottled Sapporo Black Label and Heartland, alongside sake available in half-go portions so guests can try various regional pours with each course. The kitchen rounds out the meal with gentle comfort food, from silky chawanmushi savory egg custard to 1-go pots of rice steamed with sweet corn or turnip and sakura shrimp.

Set within a renovated machiya townhouse, the deep, narrow room provides a calm atmosphere centered on a slender counter overlooking the kitchen and a few small tables. With roughly 10 seats in total, the intimate dining room is run with warm hospitality by two sisters, making it an easy place to unwind solo or in a company of 2. Dinner service runs from 18:00 to 22:30, with Mondays closed.