Azumashi

Set in a quiet residential corner of Ota Ward's Chuo neighbourhood, izakaya Azumashi draws a steady lunchtime crowd for its substantial pork ginger. Anyone expecting standard thin strips of shogayaki will find instead a hefty cut with the presence of a pork steak, yet cooked to an impressive tenderness. Coated in a punchy, ginger-forward sauce, it makes for a thoroughly satisfying teishoku that effortlessly clears a bowl of rice.

The midday menu extends beyond set meals to pasta dishes, led by a rich carbonara featuring nicely cooked noodles coated in a velvety sauce. Lunch sets also include an after-meal coffee, providing a pleasant, unhurried finish to the table.

Come evening, the kitchen turns to generous salads, yakitori skewers, and pizzas, matched by a wide choice of beer, wine, and sake. With counter seats and tables tucked into the back, the space works as naturally for a quiet solo lunch as it does for sharing drinks and food with friends at night.