Mizushima

One diner who prefers leaner meat says they keep coming back to Mizushima for salt-seasoned tongue, loin, skirt steak, Showa-style kalbi and offal. The menu invites you to choose classic yakiniku dishes one by one, and the premium loin and Showa-style kalbi have also earned praise. Sets offer another way to explore: the yakiniku rice-bowl set includes small portions of loin, skirt steak, pork kalbi and offal, while the thick-cut set features loin, premium honeteyama kalbi and premium kalbi. Choose a set to sample several cuts, or order à la carte to focus on favourites.

There are also set meals and rice bowls for lunch or a meal on your own. The menu lists both a Mizushima set meal, with kalbi, loin, pork kalbi, heart and beef tendon, and an offal set meal, with offal, premium offal, liver, heart and tripe, each for 900 yen. Other options include a double-offal rice bowl and a beef-tendon kimchi rice bowl. Stone-pot bibimbap and cold noodles make a satisfying finish. So even if you are not planning an evening centred on grilled meat, there are dishes that put rice at the heart of the meal.

For a drink, look out for the Bakudan Beer, a mix of draft beer and makgeolli. The menu describes it as mellow despite its bold-sounding name, and offers a small glass for those who want to try it. It is one way to switch up the usual beer alongside yakiniku.