Umaya

This Kagurazaka izakaya is owned by a famous kabuki actor named Ichikawa Ennosuke. Pictures of his famous roles from across the many years of his illustrious career hang on the wall, while kabuki motifs pop up here and there throughout the decor. His restaurant is an elegant space which is a level above the standard izakaya, with a classier setting and high-quality dishes. The fare is simple, but the flavors are in no way basic. Expect dishes like pork shabu shabu, yakitori grilled skewers, fried fish and vegetables, and teppanyaki griddle-cooked dishes like okonomiyaki. If you’re lucky, you might get to chat with the owner himself. Just don’t try to show him your kabuki impersonation (no matter how many cups of sake you’ve had).