Ajigen

Watching the coals and adjusting the char skewer by skewer, the kitchen at Ajigen turns out yakitori served two skewers per order. Highlights include fragrant negima chicken and scallion, springy chicken hearts, and rich, savory tail meat, each prepared as a natural accompaniment to drinks. Beyond poultry staples such as tsukune meatballs, shiso-wrapped chicken, and tender neck cuts, the menu extends to duck, beef sirloin, and pork belly, giving guests plenty of variety to curate their meal. Those who prefer to leave the selection to the grill master can opt for Gen-san's whim skewer platter, a casual assortment reflecting what is best that evening.

The small dishes between skewers are equally compelling. Lightly seared local chicken tataki and fresh sashimi cuts like chicken liver and gizzard showcase the shop's focus on freshness. Warm izakaya standards also ground the menu, from broth-soaked dashi maki omelettes and unagi-filled umaki to piping-hot crab cream croquettes. Seasonality makes its presence felt as well: summer brings eggplant dengaku glazed with rich miso, while chilly weather brings comforting oden platters simmered with daikon radish, thick fried tofu, and beef tendon.

For drinks, chilled Yamada Nishiki sake and bone-dry Hakushika stand ready alongside a diverse range of shochu, including buckwheat labels like Unkai and Toge 35, and sesame-distilled Beniotome. To close the evening, the kitchen turns out savory grilled rice balls, a sauce-drizzled yakitori rice bowl, and soothing chicken meatball soup, rounding out a satisfying tavern meal.

Located along Shichijo-dori in Nishi-Yaoya-cho, Shimogyo Ward, the tavern keeps its lanterns lit from 18:00 until late night at 0:00, providing attentive hospitality within intimate quarters. With limited seating that fills quickly during dinner hours, reserving ahead is recommended.