Shutei Tanaka, 酒亭 田中 (Tabelog Bronze 4.28) Sumida, Tokyo

Shutei Tanaka is currently ranked the No.1 Izakaya in Japan on Tabelog. The family shop is run by two brothers, Soichiro Tanaka and Eiji Tanaka.

Offering to diners here is a combination of Washoku-ryori and yakitori, with Soichiro-San leading the open kitchen and Eiji-San running the charcoal grill. In comparison, the washoku servings, focusing on seasonal vegetables, are definitely the highlights, thanks to Soichiro’s decade-long Kaiseki training. Overall quality of cuisines here is tiers above the typical Izakaya, yet not at a sacrifice of the usual chill vibes and friendly cost.

Need to mention the Tori-Paitan soba at the end blew me away. That bowl can easily outdo most of Tabelog’s top 100 ramen spots IMHO.

Course as of 2025 Winter

1. ⁠Chicken white broth porridge | 鶏白湯お粥

2. ⁠Smoked carp in sweet tare marinate with simmered eggplant | 燻製の鮒と煮茄子

3. ⁠🐓Breast | むね

4. ⁠🐓Thigh with green onion | ねぎま

5. ⁠Fried shrimp-shaped taro with tarana buds and ginko nuts tempura | 海老芋唐揚げとタラの芽天麩羅

6. ⁠🐓Liver | レバー

7. ⁠Celery and whitebait salad topped with salt-cured Nori | 芹としらすサラダ

8. ⁠Simmered daikon and yuba with yuzu miso | 大根と湯葉の煮物 柚子味噌添え

9. ⁠🐓Neck | せせり

10. ⁠Beltfish, oyster, shiitake tempura | 太刀とカキと椎茸の天ぷら

11. ⁠Assorted vegetable pickles | 漬物の盛り合わせ

12. ⁠🐓Meatball | つくね

13. ⁠🐓Skin(add-on) | かわ

14. ⁠🐓Lymph nodes(add-on) | おたふく

15. ⁠Chicken white broth soba | 鶏そば白湯