Izakaya Dining in Shinbashi

First dining experience

For dinner, given the late hour, we decided against anything complicated. We left the hotel and walked five minutes to the Shinbashi area, which is filled with a variety of casual restaurants. We settled on a busy place that served a variety of foods. The establishment appears to be called Uokichi Sakaba Shinbashi Ten (魚吉酒場 新橋店) 🗾, a traditional izakaya restaurant (an informal Japanese bar or gastropub that serves drinks and a variety of small, shareable dishes, similar to tapas or pub fare).

It was very busy inside, but we were seated at a table and given an English menu (which turned out not to include everything on the Japanese menu; Google Translate came to the rescue). As is not atypical in an Izakaya, smoking was allowed inside, but it was not too bad. We ordered, in no particular order: koroke (croquettes with potato/beef filling), assorted sashimi, yakitori (chicken skewers), flank steak, deep-fried tiny fresh-water shrimp (whole), gyoza, shrimp, grilled fish, etc. All of this accompanied by some cold beers. It was more than adequate in terms of selection, quality, and preparation, and it was a fun experience. The price was quite reasonable considering three people ate too much food, had at least two alcoholic drinks each, for about $75.

Izakaya dinner at Uokichi Sakaba Shinbashi Ten