Today's visit was to Sowa-Do, an izakaya located in Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Sowa-Do is a popular restaurant that opened in July 2020, just a 5-minute walk from Ebisu Station. It is operated as a sister store to Sakai Shoten in Shibuya, offering refined atmosphere and serving seasonal Kyushu ingredients and carefully selected sake. I visited after 2 years and ordered the following dishes: - Unzen Ham Katsu: Personally, I love the taste, crispy texture, and perfect sauce pairing of this dish. - Uni Cream Harumaki: Slightly hints of sea urchin flavor. - Sashimi platter: Featuring fresh Amaouji from Amakusa, tender Aoriika, great texture of Oomonhata, smoothness of Honmaguro, and chewiness of Modoufu. - Wappa platter: Grilled eggplant with junsai and myoga, succulent abalone and eel, and flavorful shottsuru with edamame. - Corn rice: Sweetness of corn shines through. All dishes were consistently delicious, and despite my late arrival, the staff warmly welcomed me. I would love to visit again. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

Opened in 2020, this popular izakaya in Shibuya, "Sakai Shokai," has a sister store. The atmosphere is lively yet chic, creating a stylish space that could easily be featured in Tokyo's trendy magazines. The food is delicious, the service is attentive, making it a great choice for dates or special occasions. They also have private rooms, making it suitable for business entertainment. Reservations can be made through TableCheck starting one month in advance. - Assorted sashimi: 2,800 yen - Black Iwao chicken tsukune: 600 yen - Primitive grilled nodoguro fish: 4,500 yen - Squid and Shine Muscat salt lemon salad: 1,500 yen - Unzen ham cutlet: 700 yen - Braised pork belly with myoga ginger: 3,300 yen Everything was delicious, and I would love to go back again. Thank you for the meal. For more details, check out the blog "Futatabi" at https://futatabiblog.com/sowado_ebisu/ ================== It's easy to keep up with trends on social media, but there is so much information out there that it can be overwhelming. Do you have questions like: - Can I make a reservation? What time do they usually sell out? - I want to visit this place, but the ticket system is confusing... I aim to answer those questions and provide as much information as possible. - Monthly PV: 35,000 - Gourmet and travel blog "Futatabi": https://futatabiblog.com - Instagram: wakuwaku_saaan

I didn't think I could get a same-day reservation, but I finally got into the Ebisu restaurant I had been curious about! It's called "Sowado." At first glance, the exterior of the store has no sign and looks like just an old building. But once you open the door... Sashimi assortment ¥2,800, Grilled sweetfish ¥1,800. I haven't tried many types of sake before, but the atmosphere, taste of the food, and service were all fantastic. Despite the lively atmosphere, it's okay to come to this casual drinking place without feeling too formal!! It's a place you can easily visit.

Whenever I come, I am always grateful for the delicious meals and drinks provided at a reasonable price. This time, I tried the specialty dish called "Genshi-yaki" for the first time, choosing eel. The thick and juicy eel, grilled slowly over time, has a crispy skin and a soft, elegant flesh that melts pleasantly in your mouth with a refined fat. I tried various dishes as usual, and as always, I was extremely satisfied. The atmosphere was so comfortable that I ended up being the last customer to leave the restaurant. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I visited Sakei Shokai in Shibuya before, and this time I finally made my first visit to Sowa-Do. It is located along the Shibuya River, about a 7-8 minute walk from Ebisu Station. There is no sign in front of the restaurant, and the door does not give off a traditional Japanese restaurant vibe, so first-timers should open the door cautiously while looking at a map. Upon entering, you will first see a counter, and further inside, there is a large counter, table seats, and private rooms, creating a spacious and lively atmosphere. We started with a toast with beer. The assorted sashimi came with seasonings tailored to each type of fish, rather than just soy sauce, and they all paired perfectly, making them very delicious (I forgot to take a photo). The classic ham katsu, which I also had at Sakei Shokai, is a must-try. It is thick and flavorful. There were many other tempting dishes on the menu, but the ones we chose all went well with sake, so we made the right choices. The last dish we had was a clay pot rice with fluffy rice, the saltiness of shirasu, the sweetness of edamame, and the crunch of myoga, creating a simple yet very delicious combination. I would love to try other dishes next time. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

[Sowa-do] - Foodlog rating 3.71 (as of August 24, 2023) - Foodlog Top 100 2022 - Price range: ¥9,000 to ¥15,000 - Location: Ebisu Station - Soft drinks: from ¥600, Beer: from ¥650 - Recommended for dates and friends Reservations for à la carte menu are essential. The entrance may be easy to miss at first glance. The interior is dimly lit, creating a stylish atmosphere. Highly recommended for dates or meals with friends. The clientele seems to be mostly adults over 30. The food is Japanese cuisine, divided into small dishes, grilled dishes, and finishing dishes. There is a wide variety of drinks, and they pair excellently with the food. While all dishes are delicious, the finishing hot pot is a must-try! This time, we had a hot pot with green soybeans and kettle-boiled whitebait. The delicacy of each dish, showcasing the ingredients of vegetables, fish, meat, and rice, was truly impressive. Personally, the hot pot and silver cod in sweet mirin sauce were the winners. #Ebisu #EbisuGourmet #JapaneseFood #Foodlog #Top100 #Sowa-do #HotPot #Gourmet #WantToConnectWithFoodies #WantToConnectWithGourmetLovers #WantToConnectWithThoseWhoLoveDeliciousFood #Date #EbisuDinner #Dinner #Date #Shibuya #ShibuyaDinner #RecommendedForDates #ShibuyaGourmet

The atmosphere of the restaurant was very nice! When you enter, there is a bar space, and if you go through the door at the back, you can see the dining counter in a wonderful space! There are various types of dishes available, and being able to order a la carte is great. The staff were also friendly, and I will definitely go again. Thank you for the meal!

Sawando in Ebisu. I walked from Ebisu station and had a bit of trouble finding the entrance to the shop at first. After opening a door and walking down a hallway, I opened another door and found a wonderful space. It has a hidden gem vibe and is really nice. The interior is a bit dim with a calm atmosphere. We chose 6 items for 2 people. They were: assorted sashimi, simmered Kamo eggplant, primitive grilled eel, primitive grilled duck, and a clay pot rice with corn and wagyu beef. Everything was delicious and the drinks went down smoothly. The tuna sashimi was so tasty that we ended up ordering more. There were many unique types of sake, which made me feel like they really care about their selection. I would love to visit again.

The food was delicious, but I felt that I didn't need meat with the corn rice. I prefer to eat the corn rice simply. The selection of alcohol was mediocre and a bit pricey, so I think it would be better to have a good selection of alcohol. When I ordered a dry white wine, they brought a sweet orange wine instead... I would have been upset if it wasn't my type. There were many types of alcohol I didn't know, like shochu and sake. The male staff was cute and provided good customer service. I will visit again.

The restaurant is located in Hiroo, a little walk along the river from Ebisu Station. As it is a popular spot, reservations are essential. I made a reservation about a month in advance. There is no sign outside the restaurant, giving it a hidden gem vibe. Upon opening the heavy door, you enter a space resembling a bar counter, and passing through there are counter seats facing an open kitchen and seats with a view of the river, where we were seated this time. The restaurant is known for its Jomon-yaki, and if you order this, you are advised to order early as it takes time. As this was our second stop, we did not order it this time. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the owner's Kyushu background, with many Kyushu dishes on the menu. The appetizer was like sesame tofu topped with moroheiya. We were told it was also from Kyushu, but I don't remember much of the explanation this time, and the menu names are not clear. - Assorted sashimi - Edamame with sansho pepper - Tomato and octopus salad - Ham katsu - Deep-fried squid legs All were elegantly presented in small portions with delicate flavors. The sashimi had some seasoning, so we didn't need to add soy sauce. We did order the famous ham katsu, but we didn't order the popular Jomon-yaki and kamameshi rice. If you order those, the bill would likely exceed 10,000 yen per person, but for four of us, it was in the 30,000 yen range, so it didn't reach 10,000 yen each. Since it's a Japanese restaurant, I wished there were more options for alcohol. The sake options were mostly around 1,400 yen. In this price range for a Japanese izakaya, I have other favorite places, so I probably won't go here often.

I was invited to a restaurant that I had always wanted to visit. When I opened the door with no sign, I entered a wonderful space that exceeded my expectations. The restaurant did not disappoint at all, it was delicious from start to finish, and I became a fan. They mentioned that online reservations will be available from July, so I can't wait to go back again soon! [Today's order] *Recommended by the staff* - Incredibly delicious tofu - Sashimi (bluefin tuna, golden eye snapper, bigfin reef squid, and one more that I can't remember) - Amazing chawanmushi with seaweed sauce - Grilled ayu fish - Tsukune (chicken meatballs) - 3 kinds of small dishes (refer to the image) - Cloud ham cutlet - Delicious clay pot rice in the style of pepper lunch - Interesting and delicious monaka ice cream Drinks: beer, Tanaka Rokujugo sake, Shinsei No.6 sake, Nichinichi sake, sparkling wine Thank you for the wonderful meal! Have a great day!

Located near Ebisu Station East Exit, within walking distance, this hidden gem of a restaurant is situated by Ebisu Bridge, just off Shibuya River and Meiji Street. Operated by the popular Sakai Shokai, I had known about this place since it opened but finally got a chance to visit. Although I arrived late for a second round of drinks, the atmosphere was lively. There is no prominent sign outside, only a discreet family crest sign on the wall next to the door. You wouldn't know there's a restaurant there just by passing by, giving it a hidden gem vibe that you have to seek out. Even at a late hour, the interior was bustling. The counter surrounds the kitchen, and the place is surprisingly spacious, with more seats than I expected, including tables in the back. The cuisine is authentic Japanese food with a touch of Sakai Shokai's flair, expertly crafted to pair well with both wine and sake. The dishes are sensibly portioned and reasonably priced, resembling a high-end izakaya with a touch of sophistication. The overall balance and sense of taste are truly impressive. Additionally, being able to enjoy a nice glass of wine is a delightful bonus. The staff also provide recommendations, reflecting the Sakai Shokai influence. Although I don't visit Ebisu or Hiroo as often these days, I look forward to returning in the future.

This shop in Ebisu. It was a bit of a walk from the station. We ordered a variety of dishes. The taste of the dishes was neither good nor bad. It was more like there were no misses? Everything was decently delicious. However, it was not better than expected... That's the impression. It has been selected as one of the top 100 restaurants... Maybe my personal expectations were too high. I don't think I will visit again. Thank you for the meal.

<Usage> 3.71 Reservation for 4 people at 20:00 on a regular day. As expected of a popular restaurant in Ebisu! The counter seats were fully booked, even though the reservation was made more than 2 weeks in advance, so we ended up sitting by the window. This place is a sister restaurant of Sakai Shoten, offering high-quality Japanese cuisine, sake, and wine. The atmosphere is fantastic, making it perfect for a date. Every dish is delicious, but make sure to order the clay pot rice at the end – it's a must! You can even make onigiri with the leftovers. <A la carte> - Assorted steamed dishes - Assorted sashimi for 2600 yen, including squid, squid, golden eye snapper, and bluefin tuna - Grilled wild boar for 3000 yen - Kumamoto red beef charcoal grilled for 2400 yen - Duck spring rolls for 800 yen, served with cilantro and chopped onions - Unzen ham cutlets for 700 yen, a specialty of Sowa-do - Grilled squid dumplings for 4 for 1200 yen - Clay pot rice with salted pork belly and young corn for 3300 yen

I visited this place for the first time, about an 8-minute walk from Ebisu Station along the Shibuya River. The entrance had no sign and looked plain, but the atmosphere inside was excellent. I sat by the window overlooking the river, passing by the counter seats. They offer omakase, but I decided to order a la carte. My favorites were the complimentary tofu, assorted sashimi (including bream and tuna), ham cutlet, and sea urchin spring rolls. I also tried the grilled eel, which was deliciously crispy. The hot pot seemed to be a specialty, but I'll have to save it for next time due to being full. I definitely want to visit this place again!

◎ "Beni Komaki" Sweet Potato Shochu Kagoshima Prefecture Komaki Shuzo A shochu made with red Satsuma sweet potatoes for a sweet and fruity flavor, aimed at women. It is elegant and very easy to drink, especially enjoyable when mixed with a little water on the rocks, known as "choimizu." The aroma becomes even more pronounced when enjoyed this way. ◎ "Takashi" Junmai Ginjo Shizuoka Prefecture Kawashiyaya Sake Brewery Made with 100% locally grown rice "Wakamizu" from the Ashigara region and brewed with spring water from the Tanzawa mountain range. It has a refreshing acidity and the umami of the rice is evident, with a soft mouthfeel and a crisp finish. ◎ Mukyu Ten'onjo Namazake Junmai Daiginjo Saika Shimane Prefecture Made with "Saika" rice from the Okuizumo region and brewed by Ikura Sake Brewery in Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture. It has a fresh ginjo aroma, a soft mouthfeel, and a crisp finish with a hint of spiciness.

This was my second visit to Sowa-Do. There was a little misunderstanding with the reservation, but we started eating at the welcome bar right away. Later, we moved to the counter seats inside the restaurant. I was surprised by the grape juice that tasted like wine! The charcoal-grilled nodoguro was truly delicious. Everything we had was tasty!

The dishes made with seasonal ingredients are rich in variety and each one is carefully crafted with great care. The colorful presentation is a feast for the eyes, and the delicious flavors are truly surprising. The atmosphere in the restaurant is calm, and the staff's service is warm, allowing me to relax and enjoy my meal. The dishes served with high-quality Japanese sake have a unique taste that makes me want to visit again. I feel that Sowa-Do is a highly commendable restaurant that provides a wonderful dining experience.

Second visit. Reservation is required, but be careful as the phone doesn't connect before business hours. This time, I focused on Japanese sake, ordering a sashimi assortment, sea urchin gratin, nodoguro, Unzen ham cutlet, and wild boar. They all paired well with the sake. The staff were quite engaging and made the experience enjoyable. The dishes were all exquisite, and I would love to go back again. Since I didn't worry about the cost of the sake, the bill came out to a little over 10,000 yen per person.

Sowa-do / <Women's favorite? Popular hidden gem Japanese restaurant> @Ebisu Ebisu 8 minutes walk Budget: 8000- @yokozuna_gurmet -----------------------Opened in 2020, affiliated with Shibuya's famous Sakai Shokai. The sound of a popular hidden gem Japanese izakaya is amazing, but the entrance is really hard to find, so be careful... The open kitchen counter is just like something out of Tokyo Calendar! From the zones of grilled dishes, fried dishes, small dishes, appetizers, closing dishes, and desserts, everything is delicious! Enjoy the famous Unzen ham cutlet, assorted sashimi, and clay pot rice, all paired with drinks, and it's worth spending around 10,000 yen per person! ------------------------<Payment methods> Cards accepted <Business hours> 17:00-23:00 <Tabelog rating> 3.70 <Reservations> Available #YokozunaGurmet #YokozunaGurmetEbisu #Ebisu #EbisuGourmet #EbisuDinner #EbisuDate #EbisuGirlsNightOut #EbisuGirls #JapaneseCuisine #EbisuJapaneseCuisine #Sowa-do #JapaneseCuisineDate #HiddenGem #HiddenGemIzakaya #HamCutlet

Second visit. Celebrating a customer's relocation and promotion. Today, I left it up to the chef's choice. The eel was soft and fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside. The charcoal-grilled dish was magical with wasabi. The Cloudsen ham cutlet and cabbage roll were also delicious. The sake paired with the meal was chosen for us, and it was just to our liking. We finished with sea bream rice. The leftover sea bream rice was made into onigiri for his family to take home. They really liked Sowado and have already made a reservation for their next visit.