Rokkan

Tucked along Star Road by the north exit of Asagaya Station, Rokkan is a cozy izakaya centered on counter seating, where inventive meat cookery and varied small plates take center stage. Thoughtfully prepped game meats anchor the menu. For the Yezo sika deer grilled with soy koji, the savory koji marinade brings out the lean meat's tenderness and deep natural savor, leaving a clean finish without unwanted gaminess. The kitchen also turns out wild boar grilled with sweet Saikyo miso, low-temperature beef skirt steak tataki, and gentle low-temperature Wagyu beef liver sashimi, showing a meticulous approach to heat control across every meat cut.

A natural place to start is the obanzai sampler, offering a revolving spread of seasonal vegetables and side bites. Available in 4- or 6-item platters, the daily selection lets diners compare contrasting seasonings as they sip. Deep-fried items come with thoughtful twists built for drinking, such as ham cutlets stuffed with rich blue cheese, crispy wrapped bundles of yuba with silver salmon and cream cheese, or fish and chips prepared with pike conger eel. The drink list is equally versatile, ranging from fruit-steeped house sangria and grated lemon sours to natural wines including orange varieties, sake, and craft beers.

For a comforting finish, options include a fragrant spiced beef curry loaded with tender simmered meat or a savory beef tongue garlic rice. Dried persimmon with walnut butter offers a balanced sweet-and-savory note before departing. Rokkan is closed on Tuesdays and operates Wednesday through Monday from 17:00 to 0:00 the following morning. Reserving a seat in advance is recommended, whether for a quiet drink alone or a leisurely meal with friends.