Kurufuku

A welcoming glow marks Kurufuku along a quiet Minamikoiwa street, where the chalkboard menu features clever snacks designed around drinks. Among the standouts are pork trotters simmered for hours until gelatinous and meltingly soft, alongside a crisp modern-yaki that sandwiches natto inside fried tofu—a dish that pairs effortlessly with dry sake. Diners often begin with ume suisho, a refreshing mix of crunchy shark cartilage and sour plum paste, or the daily 3-item appetizer assortment to taste through the kitchen's range.

Heavier fare holds its own beyond the smaller openers. Golden pieces of chicken karaage arrive hot and juicy, thick cuts of fried tofu soak up savory dashi, and daily sashimi selections show off pristine freshness. Venturing beyond customary tavern fare, the kitchen also turns out a daily pizza baked on hand-kneaded dough, offering a chewy crust that sits surprisingly well alongside junmai sake.

For the final stretch of the meal, choices run from comforting rice balls and dashi chazuke—customized with pickled plum or salmon—to hearty yakisoba and finishing ramen. The shop opens from 17:00 in the evening and creates a relaxed setting whether you come alone for a quiet drink or sit down for a full dinner. Payment is cash only, so keep currency on hand before arriving.