Niku-Azabu Ebisu

The stylish yakiniku joint is located in trendy Ebisu and exudes the casual ambiance of a trendy watering hole, with a welcoming bar where staff pours different types of beers from the tap while bottles of wine adorn the open shelves. Not to be mistaken with a rustic local pub, though — Niku-Azabu Ebisu is serious about two things: kuroge wagyu (Japanese Black beef) and yakiniku. Staff excels in grilling the prized A5 kuroge wagyu, served in various of ways — atop sushi rice, sizzling on the grill, or alongside a bed of indulgent truffle mashed potatoes. Cuts of wagyu skirt steak, short ribs and sirloin are featured throughout the meal, often cooked rare to let its inherent quality shine through. There is no shying away from experimentation, either; expect surprises like salmon roe crowing grilled wagyu or uni (sea urchin) delicately wrapped in thinly sliced meat. This is the kind of place you’d bring your visiting friend on a weekend night. And when it’s time to celebrate your birthday, the store offers a complimentary meat ‘cake’.