Iyasaka

Pour Hoppy over a glass of shochu, adjusting the strength to your liking before taking a brisk sip. In Meguro Ward’s Haramachi neighborhood, the izakaya Iyasaka offers precisely this kind of down-to-earth evening, anchored by unpretentious, comforting drinking food.

Once seated, your eyes naturally wander to the handwritten slips of small plates. You might begin with natto and raw egg blanketed in shredded nori, or tuck into a bowl of homestyle nikomi simmered slowly in seasoned dashi. These simple, rustic flavors effortlessly set a relaxed cadence for the evening.

As drinks flow, fried dishes become hard to resist. The ham cutlets are breaded and fried only after you order, arriving hot and fragrant with a crisp coating that cuts cleanly through the maltiness of Hoppy. Croquettes and cream croquettes are also available, and the flexibility of ordering by the piece makes it easy to sample widely.

The wider menu features small plates such as eggplant with pickled plum, corned beef piccata, and salt-grilled pork belly skewers. To drink, choices span Yebisu draft, the house Iyasaka Sour, shochu, and sake.

With counter seating as well as tables, Iyasaka takes reservation inquiries and provides an easygoing setting. It is the sort of neighborhood spot to drop into when you want to sip quietly at your own rhythm alongside honest, handmade bites.