During the day, Ameyoko is a vibrant family-friendly shopping district, but at night it has a whole new vibe of lively night izakayas!
One of the most authentic experiences of modern Japanese culture is visiting an izakaya! Originally known primarily for their alcohol services (much like a pub), izakayas have since become places where people can hang out and enjoy delicious finger foods and even full-course meals as preferred!
The best food I’ve ever had at an izakaya came from a particular establishment located on the famous Ameyoko shopping street just around the corner from Ueno station. I was introduced to the place by a friend who lives in the local area, claiming it to be a favorite of the local community!
Grilled Fish
Sure enough, the izakayas in Ameyoko were all packed to the brim, including this one, but after a few minutes of waiting we were escorted to our table.
Naturally, I left the ordering up to my friend who had been here plenty of times, and he started us off with a crispy grilled fish, pan-fried mushrooms, and a generous serving of tamagoyaki (Japanese-style egg omelet).
For those who love good authentic grilled fish, this order is definitely for you, encompassing a crisp exterior with a tender soft interior of white fish.
I’m not a huge fan of “off-the-bone” fish, but even I must admit this one was a memorable feed. However, it was nothing compared to the dishes that came next…
Fried Cartilage
With seafood out of the way, it was time to get stuck into some heavy proteins!
Our next order featured a variety of yakitori dishes comprising marinated grilled chicken and vegetables on skewers.
Nothing I hadn’t had before, but it was prepared to such a high standard that I questioned what the secret ingredient was (drugs perhaps?).
The next chicken dish was indeed something new, however, featuring fried chicken cartilage which I learned to be the connective tissue that protects the body’s bones and joints.
Despite the slightly off-putting description, it was a delicious feed that comprised a crunchy texture that had me feeling like the nutrients were going straight into my muscles (how’s that for advertising?).
Chicken Sashimi?
This next dish is a bit of a local favorite among night izakayas in Ameyoko.
Yes, it is essentially a plate of raw chicken otherwise known as “chicken sashimi.”
Your first question is probably “How is raw chicken safe to eat?” and the answer may sound patriotic, but Japan’s chickens are just better, that’s why.
Okay, the longer answer is that chicken sashimi, or torisashi as it’s known by the Japanese has long since been a delicacy of the country.
As such, special antibacterial practices from the slaughter to the storage of the meat are upheld specifically to serve chicken sashimi at izakayas such as this.
My verdict is that it was quite tasty when dipped in soy sauce (and I didn’t get sick, so there’s that), but I would probably stick to salmon and tuna sashimi when it comes to raw foods.
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