Hyperlocal Tokyo

Koutarou【Tokyo, Shibuya】 - A Feast of Simplicity and Substance - Revisit (August 2024) Returning after half a year. As always, the dishes that pair perfectly with sake, showcasing the pride of an izakaya. This time's highlights were: - Corn and Clam Chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) - Chicken Nanban with Ginger Tartare Sauce ◆ This Time's Menu - Summer Vegetable Salad - Sashimi Platter: Flounder, Aori Ika (squid), Fishing Mackerel - Smoked Egg Potato Salad - Jumbo Nameko (mushrooms) with Spicy Radish - Myoga (ginger) and Shirasu (whitebait) Gratin - Corn and Clam Chawanmushi - Chicken Nanban with Ginger Tartare Sauce - Sanuki Shumai (steamed dumplings) - Half Portion - Sanuki Menchi Katsu (breaded cutlet) - Half Portion - Hand-Made Bukkake Udon (noodles) + 1 Beer, 4 Go (cups) of Sake (shared between 2 people) (Evening) 12,100 Yen per person ※ The following is basic information about the restaurant, which overlaps with the first visit, but is included again. ◆ How to Enjoy This Restaurant <Profile> An incredibly popular restaurant, often referred to as "Koutarou in the East, Shokudou Ogawa in the West" (referring to two famous izakayas). Their formula for deliciousness is "Seasonal Ingredients x Cooking Methods x Subtle Adjustments." <Ordering> While you can order a la carte, it's best to request only the dishes you want from the extensive menu and leave the rest to the omakase (chef's choice) course. Drinks start at 500 Yen for beer, 740 Yen for a cup of sake, 700 Yen for a glass of wine, and 3,800 Yen for a bottle of wine. <Ambiance> Far from the hustle and bustle of Shibuya, yet filled with a pleasant buzz. The service is not boisterous, but welcoming, creating an adult izakaya unlike any other in Shibuya.

I finally got a reservation at this popular sake bar I've been wanting to try! I was expecting a quiet atmosphere, but it was actually quite lively, just like a typical sake bar. I was completely lost on what to order, so I asked the staff for recommendations. From the appetizer to the sashimi, potato salad, lily bulb tempura, shumai, giant enoki mushroom simmered in soy sauce, menchi katsu, fried sawara, and duck soup udon, everything was delicious! Since it was a sake bar, I decided to ask the staff for recommendations on sake. We had the Ishizuchi from Ehime's Ishizuchi Shuzo, the Takara from Yamaguchi's Nagayama Honke Shuzo, and the Shinomine from Nara's Chiyo Shuzo. All of them paired perfectly with the food. I was trying to be careful with the sake, but I couldn't help myself! My expectations were high before visiting, but the actual experience exceeded them. I definitely want to go back!

This is an amazing restaurant. I always enjoy the seasonal dishes prepared by the chef. I highly recommend pairing them with their selection of sake. The restaurant's dashi broth is particularly refined and always impresses me. I'm often surprised by how much food and drink I get for the price.

It was a long-awaited visit. Everything was delicious, even the chef's recommendations. Definitely coming back again. I need to visit their sister restaurant, "Mandegan," soon.

A hidden gem for adults, offering sake and wine perfectly paired with their dishes. Each dish is crafted with care and is truly delicious. The sake selection is particularly impressive, making it a place I want to visit regularly.