Hyperlocal Tokyo

While a fancy dinner at a stylish restaurant is nice, sometimes you just crave a casual night out, where you can relax and enjoy some drinks at a down-to-earth pub. That's where "Daruma" comes in. It's a local favorite, but still a hidden gem for those outside the area. The interior features tables, tatami seating, and a U-shaped counter, with a wall full of mouthwatering menu items. From fresh seafood like sashimi to yakitori, side dishes, noodles, and rice balls, the extensive menu will leave you spoilt for choice. The drinks are incredibly affordable, with most costing under ¥500. I didn't order it this time, but the yakisoba and onigiri I saw other customers enjoying looked absolutely delicious. It was a great way to satisfy my craving for a classic Japanese pub experience. ▽---------------------▽ ○Name: Daruma ○Tabelog Rating: 3.45 (as of October 20, 2024) ○7-minute walk from Kiyosumi-Shirakawa Station ○Budget: ¥4,000 per person ○Address: 2-17-9 Miyo, Koto-ku, Tokyo ○Business Hours: [Mon-Fri] 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM [Sat-Sun & Holidays] 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM ※Closed on Wednesdays ※PayPay accepted △---------------------△ 【Reservations】 Reservations not accepted 【Crowds】 90% full at 7:30 PM on Saturday Luckily, we were able to get a table without waiting 【Recommended for】 Couples, colleagues, friends, solo diners 【Order】 ◆Young Ginger ¥325 ◆Beef Noodle Soup ¥545 ◆Stew ¥545 ◆2 Skewers of Chicken Meatballs ¥465 ◆2 Skewers of Chicken with Green Onion ¥580 ◆Spinach and Egg Stir-fry ¥435 ◆Sea Grapes ¥520 ◆Long Yam with Yuzu Seasoning ¥380

This was my first visit since the restaurant changed ownership. It used to be closed on Saturdays, but now it seems they are closed on Wednesdays and the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays of the month. I love the route from Tatsumi-yu (a nearby bathhouse) to Daruma! The front of the restaurant has small raised seating and tables, while the back has a U-shaped counter. The left side of the counter used to be a regulars' corner, but now it's open to everyone. The good thing about the left side of the counter is that you can easily see the TV, the whiteboard, and you can put your belongings on the shelf behind you. It's also easy to go to the bathroom in the back. There's a menu of standard dishes on the wall, and today's specials are written on a whiteboard. You order by telling the staff what you want. They bring you a hand towel, chopsticks, and a small appetizer. The style is basically the same as before the change in ownership, but the prices have gone up. (Personally, I think the old prices were too cheap, and the current prices are normal.) One of the staff members who used to work here is still there! The food is delicious and the atmosphere is comfortable. You pay at the register by the entrance with a receipt. They accept cash and PayPay. I hope this restaurant continues to do well!

I arrived at the restaurant at 5:30 PM on a weekday. Three out of the four tables near the entrance were occupied, and I was the first customer at the U-shaped counter in the back. I started with sake and ordered their famous Popeye Bacon, Meat Tofu, and Potato Salad. The Popeye Bacon was delicious, as expected, with spinach, bacon, egg, and enoki mushrooms. The Meat Tofu was also delicious, with meat, tofu, napa cabbage, and cellophane noodles in a light, unsweetened broth. The Potato Salad was simple, with a smile on the handle of the accompanying spoon, and the taste was average. I ordered another sake and a stir-fried beef and chives dish. The stir-fried beef and chives was good, with chives, beef liver, and bean sprouts. I stayed for an hour and a half, and by the time I left, half of the counter was filled. The drinks and food were reasonably priced, and the menu was extensive, with sashimi, fried dishes, grilled dishes, stir-fried dishes, and vegetables. It was a delicious and enjoyable experience, and I will definitely return.

Daruma, made famous by the TV show 'Solitary Gourmet,' is a popular spot with many regulars, but it's also welcoming to first-time visitors. The menu is extensive and can be overwhelming, but you can't go wrong with the sashimi.

Tonight, I finally visited Daruma, a cozy izakaya with a 'ko-ji' (L-shaped) counter. I'd walked past it many times before, but this was my first visit, after a relaxing soak at a nearby sento (public bath). As I pushed open the door, I was greeted by a raised seating area with tables to the left. Beyond that, the L-shaped counter stretched out, with a narrow passageway running down the middle. The walls were covered in handwritten menus, and the specials were listed on a blackboard. I started with a bottle of beer to celebrate! The complimentary appetizer was a plate of sasakama (fish cakes), a nice touch. For my first order, I chose maguro akami (lean tuna), shime saba (marinated mackerel), a simmered dish, and tako kara (deep-fried octopus). The tako kara was crispy and had a satisfyingly meaty texture. The akami had a surprising amount of fat, which was a pleasant surprise. The shime saba was a bit too strongly marinated for my taste. The simmered dish was packed with more meat than vegetables, making it a hearty meal. After the beer, I switched to hoppy (a Japanese malt liquor). I was happy to see they had both white and black hoppy! I personally love mixing them half and half, so this was a treat. Next, I ordered macaroni salad and a menchi katsu (breaded cutlet). The macaroni salad had a nice peppery kick, which I enjoyed. The menchi katsu was decent, but nothing special. I appreciated the generous portion of cabbage that came with it. After finishing my hoppy, I ordered a lemon sour. The carbonation was just what I needed after the bath! The ko-ji counter is truly the best! I'll definitely be back!