Tomikawa

Down a flight of basement stairs in Shibuya’s Dogenzaka neighborhood, Sakedokoro Tomikawa hangs its noren curtain, offering a welcoming, unpretentious izakaya atmosphere. Right at the top of the menu is the house specialty: gyusuji nikomi, or simmered beef tendon. Slow-cooked until tender in a deeply flavorful dashi broth, it makes an ideal companion to your opening drink.

The rest of the menu features a wide variety of drinking snacks and approachable small plates. If you are unsure where to start, ordering a few different dishes to share is an easy approach, such as cured mackerel tossed with pickled ginger and sesame (shimesaba to gari no goma-ae), a dashi-rich rolled omelette (dashimaki tamago), or savory grilled tonpeiyaki. The fried options range from crisp ham katsu and deep-fried horse mackerel (aji fry) to aromatic chicken tempura (toriten), making it easy to tailor your spread to your appetite.

The drink selection is just as diverse, spanning standard drafts and highballs alongside the shop’s namesake house sake, Tomikawa, and shochu labels from across Japan. Old-school downtown staples like lemon sours, plum-flavored baise sours, and Hoppy sets are also well represented, letting you settle into the evening with your drink mixed just the way you like.

Inside, seating includes counter spots suited for solo diners as well as tables for groups to gather. Substantial finishers like yaki udon and onigiri rice balls round out the meal when you want something heartier, making this a reliable spot whether dropping in for a post-work drink or catching up over dinner.