I had heard for ages that there was an izakaya in Tsukishima with a perpetual line, and this time I finally got the chance to go. When the line is that long, there are not many people you can drag along with you. We arrived around 6:30 again and only got in at almost 8. The line was not even that long, it is just that nobody comes out T.T
Assorted sashimi
As you would expect from a popular place, the freshness is outstanding.
Sake-steamed hamaguri clams
The expression for a moment like this would be that it cured a hangover I never even drank for..
Simmered kinmedai (nitsuke)
I like simmered dishes and I like kinmedai, so I ordered it. The seasoning is a touch on the strong side, but it went beautifully with sake. And yet this was only the beginning..
Motsu nikomi
This is the house specialty, and it is counted among the three great nikomi of Tokyo. Among nikomi fanatics there is a strong theory that this place is number one of the three, and after tasting it I can see why. There is real pleasure in eating offal that is chewy yet meltingly soft. Standing in a long line is exhausting, but this nikomi makes it worth it.
Nikudofu
Riding the high from the nikomi, I ordered the nikudofu too. Apart from the tofu, the biggest difference is that it uses lean meat rather than offal. Different cut, different way to enjoy it. The feeling that you are eating meat is definitely stronger with this one. The nikomi is famous, but the nikudofu is every bit as good.
Once again I was reminded that a famous restaurant is famous for a reason. I will have to visit the other two of Tokyo’s three great nikomi places soon and find out which one is really the number one in Tokyo.