Ajito

Crisp on the outside and cut into generous chunks, the deep-fried chicken breast (butsugiri tori no karaage) is a popular plate that releases savory juices with every bite. Down a flight of stairs in a building near Sengakuji Station, Izakaya Ajito Takanawa Sengakuji-mae (居酒屋あじと 高輪泉岳寺前) fills its tables with these straightforward staples alongside cold drinks.

The menu lines up an appealing selection of drinking companions, from assorted grilled skewers and crunchy cheese-filled hanpen cutlets to fragrant squid grilled with butter and soy sauce. The kitchen also balances its flavors nicely, offering dishes like tender fried chicken neck meat and garlic scapes refreshed with grated daikon and citrus ponzu, alongside a spicy yodare tofu enlivened by Sichuan pepper.

Drink options are just as varied, including highballs mixed with Kakubin, Riku, Dewar's 12 Year Old, or Yamazaki, as well as large bottles of Sapporo Lager "Akaboshi," additive-free citrus sours, and authentic honkaku shochu. To close out the meal, grilled rice balls infused with the aroma of bonito dashi and plates of fried yakisoba noodles provide satisfying, hearty finishes.

Lunch brings substantial set meals catering to midday diners, while evenings draw friendly gatherings and after-work regulars unwinding with a drink. With smoking permitted inside and an unhurried, welcoming atmosphere, this classic tavern serves as a dependable gathering spot in the Takanawa area.