Kirakutei

The skilled chef Kotaro Asakura marries seasonal seafood and sake at this upscale izakaya in Kumagaya, a residential neighborhood near Shibuya. While there are seats at the counter where Asakura works his magic, his workspace is hidden low behind so diners cannot watch him preparing specialties like kue (longtooth grouper) sushi, nodoguro (black throat sea perch) steamed sushi or house-cured ikura. The restaurant is often crowded, so try and show up on the early side to secure a spot. (Kirakutei, 器楽亭: 杉並区久我山5-7-9 久我山ハウジング103)