Marudori Ruisuke

Only the strongest izakaya survive in the battleground that is Nishi-Shinjuku 7-chome. An extremely popular nightlife spot just minutes away from the major interchange of Shinjuku Station, only the izakaya with the most delicious food, best drinks, most hospitality or greatest atmosphere come out on top. Marudori Ruisuke happens to qualify in all of those categories. Having operated in the area since 2010, it is a veteran of the ongoing conflict, but has carved out its own niche with its signature dish: a whole deep-fried young broiler. The chickens used at Marudori Ruisuke are Daisen broilers sourced from Tottori Prefecture, raised for a shorter time than the average chicken for maximum tenderness and aroma. For the signature dish, the whole chicken (the “marudori” in the restaurant’s name) is marinated for 11 hours in the restaurant’s special sauce, then deep-fried whole at 180 degrees Celsius. Perhaps oddly for a yakitori restaurant, Ruisuke is also famed for its selection of premium seasonal vegetables, which are all shipped to the restaurant directly from Kanagawa Prefecture’s Miura Peninsula. Its extensive menu, which has all the standard yakitori staples, is further supplemented by a huge selection of sake and shochu. Friendly staff are always on hand to liven things up as well — impeccable food and drink aside, what really keeps regulars coming back is the atmosphere of the restaurant, which never sees a dull moment.