Asadachi

※ Asadachi now only accepts reservations from regular customers and close friends of the owner. However, guests are still welcome for walk-ins. ——— This restaurant, situated down a Shinjuku alleyway, is a playground for particularly adventurous eaters. It specializes in what is colloquially called “stamina” cuisine: a general term for Japanese foods thought to bring energy and vitality. In everyday conversation, the Japanese use of "stamina" is a jocular euphemism that subtly alludes to stamina in the bedroom for gentlemen. But Asadachi is decidedly unsubtle about its approach: its name literally translates to a common morning phenomenon experienced by men. So guests in the mood for a stamina-boosting challenge are invited to sample some dishes commonly believed to invigorate, such as raw frog, raw cow heart, and grilled salamander. If that still sounds very tame, its signature dishes also include pig gonads and other elements of the porcine reproductive system. Where other restaurants might display taxidermied deer heads, the wall behind Asadachi's counter hangs an array of turtle shells. These are all signed by past customers who ordered the turtle hotpot, and had their trophy displayed on the wall as a sign of successful conquest. That's not to say that Asadachi's entire menu is similarly outlandish. The restaurant also offers more conventional dishes for guests who lean more towards typical culinary persuasions. These include hotpot, grilled beef, and depending on the season, even deer and boar.