Category Archives: Izakaya | 居酒屋

IZAKAYA | 利き酒処 酒の穴 (Sake No Ana)

Posted on February 16, 2024 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

Revisited this 76-year old establishment at their new location in Ginza-1. Arguably the first proper sake bar I ever visited some 25+ years ago, learning to tell my Kokuryu from my Juyondai, the basement across the street from Matsuya in … Continue reading →

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IZAKAYA | 第二力酒蔵 (Daini Chikara Shuzo)

Posted on November 30, 2022 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

My first ‘u-shape’ bar (コの字酒場) moment at this 60-year Nakano (中野) establishment, so named (as No.2 shop) given the success of the original one at araiyakushi-mae (新井薬師前) in an era when the concept of franchise is not popular yet and … Continue reading →

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IZAKAYA | 産直屋 たか (Santyokura Taka)

Posted on November 30, 2022 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

Easily the most memorable meal for this trip. This hidden joint off Shibuya featuring ‘fisherman cuisine’ basically serves 10 courses of ‘catch-of-the-day’ and pairs each with a different premium sake. Amazing value for money too!

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IZAKAYA | Cave de Gamin et Hanare

Posted on February 27, 2015 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

A hidden gem in the Shirokane area, this so proclaimed ‘French Kaiseki’ was introduced by long time Japanese friend HM, who never fails to offer some nice surprise in Tokyo restaurant picks. Belonging to the group of this quasi celebrity … Continue reading →

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IZAKAYA | 白木屋 (Shirokiya)

Posted on August 7, 2014 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

Tang Lung Street in CWB is just getting wild these days (and I am not talking about the Naked Chef, relax). After turning into a Kyushu ramen war zone on top of being a Ika and Horumon hub, now comes … Continue reading →

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IZAKAYA | 赤鬼 (Akaoni)

Posted on July 6, 2014 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

Returning to this legendary sake bar/izakaya with a sake ‘dream’ team and boy were we spoiled! The usual Juyondai line up aside, finally got to try the one and only PB made just for the establishment by the sake producer, … Continue reading →

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IZAKAYA | ばくだん屋 (Bakudanya)

Posted on May 23, 2014 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

Smart move by this Hiroshima spicy tsukemen place to relocate upstairs and turn itself into more an izakaya featuring Kyushu fare rather than just doing ramen. From Hakata Hanamidori (chicken) to Hiroshima oysters and not to mention all the relatively … Continue reading →

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IZAKAYA | イカセンター (Ikacenter)

Posted on April 26, 2014 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

Arrival of a proper ‘seafood’ izakaya. This chain originated from Shinjuku brought along the ‘live squid’ and plenty of goodies straight from the Japanese fish market, thanks to its scale and network with national seafood distributors. The ‘omakase’ set was … Continue reading →

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IZAKAYA | 神屋流博多道埸 (Hakata Dojo)

Posted on March 27, 2014 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

Night out with longtime friend and drinking buddy. Pleasantly surprised to see this enhanced version of motsunabe, now with mentaiko on it. While they might have tuned down the soup base a bit and less chili was sprinkled on top, … Continue reading →

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IZAKAYA | ほかほか (Hokahoka)

Posted on March 26, 2014 by The Lonely Gourmet's Thought for Food

First time for LG to participate in a so called ‘blogger’ dinner thanks to the invitation of owner Louis Ho. Let it be on the record though that the establishment was already our reigning Izakaya champion and thus we actually … Continue reading →

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