Recent Reviews
❤︎ : Hiroki Club : Shinjuku Nishiguchi, Tokyo : Tabelog 3.55 : ¥5,000 - I've been wanting to go to this place for a long time and had it saved! I tried calling to make a reservation several times, but it was always fully booked... It was a dream come true! I went on a Sunday at 6:00 PM, but it was still full, so reservations are a must at this place! I recommend the "Serious" Horse Mackerel Fry, Potato Salad (with smoked burdock!), and Yukke. The horse mackerel fry was cooked medium-rare and was incredibly delicious with the salt and ginger seasonings. The potato salad was made with oden broth and had smoked burdock in it, which was delicious! (I was torn between smoked burdock and sansho pepper...) The Yukke was also amazing! Personally, I recommend the Shrimp Miso Crab Cream Croquette! It was so rich and crispy, it was delicious... A must-try for cream croquette lovers! Then there's the Eggplant with Anchovy Butter! The anchovy butter seasoning was so flavorful... Another must-try is the Thick-Cut Tongue! I ordered it well-done, but it's delicious whether it's rare or well-done. The thick-cut tongue was amazing! ♡ They have a wide variety of drinks, and although I had a non-alcoholic drink, they have a lot of options for non-alcoholic drinkers, like cold-brewed yuzu green tea and firewood roasted tea. If I had room in my stomach, I would have definitely ordered the pudding for dessert...!!! I'll definitely get it next time! ♡ They have counter seats, table seats, and one private room. It has a hidden izakaya vibe, which I loved! The lively counter is recommended! If you come here on a date, you'll be impressed by your good taste!!! Also, the incense in the restroom smelled so good... I wanted to stay there (but I didn't, lol). The restroom was also nice!♩ #Tokyo #TokyoFoodie #ShinjukuFoodie #ShinjukuNishiguchiFoodie #Tabelog3.5andAbove #HirokiClub #ShinjukuIzakaya #ShinjukuNishiguchiIzakaya #Izakaya #HiddenIzakaya #TabelogTokyo #TabelogHighlyRated #LikeForLike
The melt-in-your-mouth, rare-cooked horse mackerel fry was a revelation, completely changing my perception of the traditional dish! The grape beer was fresh and crisp, perfect for a celebratory toast. The potato salad was made right there, with the potatoes and eggs mashed fresh from the oden pot, so it was piping hot. This place is full of unique charm. It's also conveniently located just a short walk from Shinjuku Station West Exit, yet tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the station, making it a hidden gem.
This izakaya has a fantastic atmosphere, serves delicious food with skillful preparation, and offers incredible value for money. The potato salad with oden, the perfectly rare-fried horse mackerel (aji) fry, and the unbelievably delicious beef tongue are all highly recommended. The staff are all very friendly and make you feel right at home. I found a great place in Shinjuku!
I made a reservation for the popular Chef's Choice Course, priced at 3,500 yen, starting at 8:30 PM on Saturday. The service of letting you choose a cute chopstick rest was a delightful touch. While it's common to choose a sake cup, this was my first time selecting a chopstick rest. It was so adorable, it instantly lifted my spirits. The appetizer, a bear-shaped mochi, featured cream cheese with salted cod roe. The cheese was light and the combination of cuteness and deliciousness made me happy from the start. The potato salad was a revelation! Made with freshly boiled potatoes taken directly from the oden pot in front of the counter, it was perfectly paired with pickled ginger. The fact that everyone starts at the same time means all the dishes are served fresh, which is a huge plus. The sashimi included yellowtail with sesame dressing, shrimp, and tuna, each with a different soy sauce-based marinade, making them easy to enjoy. The charcoal-grilled vegetables were refreshing and highlighted the natural flavors of the ingredients. The eggplant was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the asparagus had a lovely sweetness. The seriously good fried horse mackerel was cooked to perfection! The ultra-thin batter was crispy on the outside and the fish inside was rare and fluffy. I enjoyed it with ginger soy sauce. The beef tongue was lean and packed with flavor. The generous portion size was very satisfying. There were so many additional dishes I wanted to try, and even though I was full, I couldn't resist ordering the fig butter. It was absolutely delicious! I actually preferred it to raisins. The final rice dish featured a generous amount of shredded young ginger on top of chopped roast pork. The only minor critique is that I didn't feel the rice itself was particularly special. The seasonal sorbet was made with Hyuganatsu citrus. It was refreshing and perfect for ending a satisfying meal. My recommendations are: ◉ The bear-shaped mochi appetizer ◉ The potato salad ◉ The beef tongue ◉ The fig butter I definitely plan to visit this restaurant again.
This is a sophisticated and relaxed izakaya located right next to Nishi-Shinjuku Station's West Exit, along the Nishi-Shinjuku Pedestrian Bridge Street. The interior has a Japanese-style atmosphere with a wood-based design. There are two-person tables by the windows and counter seats surrounding the kitchen. I saw many couples on dates here. There are also tables for larger groups in the back, making it suitable for drinking parties. When you sit down, they bring you a variety of chopstick rests, and you can choose your favorite to use. This restaurant offers a menu featuring seasonal ingredients, and the menu changes every month. Here are the dishes I ordered: * Draft Beer ¥748 My first draft beer. The fine foam was delicious. * Appetizer ¥550 The appetizer was warm tofu with sakura shrimp and cabbage. The tofu was topped with a thick sauce filled with sakura shrimp and a gentle sweetness from the cabbage. The overall flavor was delicate and refined, perfect for the first appetizer. * Chicken Neck and Chives Kimchi ¥715 This is a kimchi made with chicken neck, which is firm and chewy despite being lean. The sweet and spicy flavor is enhanced by the crunchy chives, making it a great beer pairing. * Kanagawa Tsushima Sour ¥715 This is a creative sour with pickled perilla leaves from Tsushima, Kanagawa Prefecture. The perilla aroma is fantastic, and you can also taste a pleasant vinegar acidity. The pickled perilla leaves are delicious even on their own as a snack. * Grilled Broad Beans ¥770 This appetizer features broad beans, a seasonal delicacy in early summer, grilled whole. The thick skin encases large, fluffy beans, which I enjoyed with salt. The beans were incredibly flavorful, sweet, and perfect for a light summer snack. * Club's Potato Salad with Pickled Ginger ¥748 This is one of their popular dishes, and you can choose one topping from chirimen sansho (tiny dried pepper), pickled ginger, or smoked salmon. I went with pickled ginger. The vibrant purple of the pickled ginger makes for a visually appealing potato salad. The potatoes are apparently simmered in oden broth, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture with a savory umami flavor. The pickled ginger adds a nice tang and texture. * 3055 Chardonnay (Glass) ¥910 This wine has a pleasant fruity aroma and a refreshing acidity. It's light and easy to drink. * Serious Horse Mackerel Fry ¥1408 This is a signature dish featuring fresh horse mackerel, good enough for sashimi, fried to perfection. The exterior is crispy, but the frying is just right, leaving the inside rare for an interesting texture. The fatty horse mackerel is plump and packed with flavor. It comes with salt, mustard, soy sauce, and ginger, so you can enjoy it with different flavors. I personally prefer it with soy sauce and ginger, like sashimi. This is a must-try dish that you can only find here. * Club's Lemon Sour ¥605 This is a lemon sour with a low sweetness and a strong acidity. It's refreshing and perfect for summer. * Scallion and Salt Wagyu Yukke ¥1628 This yukke is made with zabuton, a rare cut of wagyu beef. Zabuton is known for its beautiful marbling and melts-in-your-mouth flavor and sweetness. It's finely minced and served rare. The top is generously topped with scallion and salt, creating a perfect combination with the meaty flavor of the wagyu. * Pork Belly Stew and Young Ginger Rice ¥715 For the finale, I had rice topped with diced pork belly stew. The portion size is perfect for a rice bowl. The pork belly is braised in a sweet and savory sauce until it's tender and melts in your mouth, making it a perfect rice companion. The addition of chopped young ginger adds a tangy flavor that further stimulates the appetite. The restaurant offers a variety of Japanese-style appetizers made with seasonal ingredients, each with a unique twist. They also have a curated wine selection, and if you ask the staff, they'll give you a separate wine menu. The hospitality is excellent, with the staff providing detailed explanations for each dish. It's a great restaurant with a wonderful atmosphere, highly recommended.