Chikurin

While the shopfront hints at a Chinese eatery, browsing the menu at Chikurin reveals a lively array of fresh sashimi and izakaya snacks. Inside the relaxed, convivial dining room, you can freely combine robust wok-cooked Chinese plates with fresh seafood according to whatever suits your mood.

The Chinese dishes anchor the meal with deep aromas and hearty portions. A lunchtime favorite, the mapo tofu set meal showcases the depth of fermented black soybeans (douchi), prioritizing rounded savoriness over sharp heat. From sizzling stir-fried eggplant and pork to plump shrimp tossed with scrambled eggs and wood ear mushrooms, or boiled dumplings with pleasantly chewy skins, these dishes complement steamed rice as neatly as they do a cold beer.

Alongside the wok specialties, the seafood selection commands equal attention. Daily recommendations frequently feature fresh catches such as chutoro medium-fatty tuna, octopus, and amberjack sashimi, playfully expanding the boundaries of an everyday Chinese diner. Between varied kaisen-don bowls, homemade meatballs, and late-night plates, Chikurin easily accommodates everything from a brisk lunch to a lingering evening drink.