A yakitori and eel izakaya along 本多通り, halfway up 神楽坂. It has the feel of a characterful izakaya, with a counter in front of the kitchen and table seating, run by extremely experienced cooks. The menu mainly featured eel and fish set meals. Strangely, there was neither yakitori nor chicken on the menu, but I ordered 【Ginger pork】900 yen and it arrived in about 10 minutes. The set included thoroughly cooked ginger pork and onions, lettuce, nametake mushrooms, pickles, rice, and miso soup. The ginger pork had quite a strong soy sauce flavor and saltiness, with bold seasoning that made the lettuce and rice go down easily. It was delicious. The pork was thinly sliced loin, but it was quite thoroughly cooked and firm in texture, with little fat, giving it a healthy impression. The nametake also had a strong sweet-salty flavor, and the rice, which had seemed like a lot, disappeared in no time. Before I knew it, the cook had finished preparing all the customers' food and was sitting down, watching the Dodgers game on TV and cheering for Ohtani. It made for a heartwarming atmosphere. Still, it was odd that even the evening menu didn't seem to include yakitori, but next time I'm nearby, I'd like to come at night to enjoy some à la carte dishes and drinks.

【Tokyo:神楽坂/鳥栄】 「鳥栄」 in 本多横丁, 神楽坂. Despite its name, 鳥栄, it's a restaurant where you can have inexpensive, delicious eel for lunch! My boss brought me here! I've never been at night, but apparently it becomes an izakaya, so I imagine you can eat chicken then. (laughs) 神楽坂 has plenty of famous restaurants serving expensive eel, but this place is affordable and delicious! The interior is full of Showa-era character, and the staff are sooo laid-back. (laughs) An older man who seems to be the owner sits in the customer seating. (laughs) There's also a tank with swimming eels at the back. 《order》-------------------------------- ＊Special unaju 3,700 yen (tax included) ------------------------------------------ The special unaju costs 3,700 yen and comes with eel liver soup and pickles. The eel was tender and very delicious. Unfortunately, the sansho came in individual packets, but the sauce wasn't too sweet and was satisfying. None of the staff are particularly friendly, but there's an old-fashioned feel to it, so it doesn't come across as too unpleasant. It's lovely to be able to have unaju at this price! The taste made me want to come back.

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(Visited June 28, 2023) A grilled fish lunch at a yakitori restaurant bustling with regulars. Entered at 11:38 on Wednesday. No other customers yet. As I sat down, I ordered the “grilled fish set meal.” They said, “We have yellowtail and mackerel,” so I replied, “Yellowtail, please.” After that, people who seemed to be regulars came in and ordered sashimi set meals and beer. A lively conversation started about the baseball playing on the restaurant's TV. It looked like fun. The food arrived in 10 minutes. The miso soup was made with red miso. It contained dried daikon strips, shimeji mushrooms, and fried tofu. Dried daikon strips in miso soup are unusual. The yellowtail was freshly grilled and delicious. A good-value 神楽坂 lunch for 900 yen. I don't think there are many places in 神楽坂 where you can have grilled fish this tasty and inexpensive. Some customers who came later ordered “unaju.” Everyone seems rather well-off (laughs). This customer was also chatting happily with the staff. The restaurant has a subtle Showa-era feel. I paid 900 yen in cash and left. Thank you for the meal.

Braised pork belly set meal 900 yen It was quite tasty.

The yakitori and liver are very tender and delicious. The gizzards have a great crunchy chew too. The tsukune with tare sauce is delicious as well. The fried oysters are super juicy and taste of the sea. A great drinking spot for a lively time with friends.

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