01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Taking a seat here naturally turns one's attention to robust chicken dishes crafted with drinks in mind. Signature red pepper chicken headlines the main offerings, flanked by a coarsely spiced black pepper chicken and grilled chicken finished with an aromatic onion soy sauce. Hearty Western-leaning fare expands the table further, including a rich cheese shrimp chili fondue with plump shrimp and a pizza topped with chorizo and a soft-poached egg.
A deep roster of small plates keeps things lively while waiting for the larger courses. Unpretentious starters range from fresh cucumber with seasoned meat miso and homemade cream cheese with crackers to tender chicken tenderloin carpaccio and chicken sashimi namerou. Seafood options such as oysters sauteed in butter and soy sauce, deep-fried squid, horse mackerel sashimi, and lightly seared cured mackerel let diners pace their drinks according to the evening's mood.
The drinks list is notably broad. Shochu stands out with sweet potato labels such as Tomi no Hozan, Yamaneko, and Akarui Noson, alongside barley varieties like Nakanaka and Kurokishi, as well as awamori including Ryukyu Classic. Sour umeshu and apple liqueur can be enjoyed on the rocks or with soda, while sakes like Hakkaisan and Kagetora provide plenty of pairing flexibility.
To round out the meal, the kitchen prepares substantial late courses including ankake fried rice draped in thick gravy, yakisoba crowned with a fried egg, and a large grilled rice ball with a fragrant charred exterior. Open from 18:00 in the evening until 4:00 the following morning, the space caters to late nights in Nishi-Shinjuku, whether for a quiet solo nightcap at the counter or shared plates with friends at a table.
