Yotsuya-Sanchome Station

Review excerpt: Ogawa is not rooted in the old ways. Instead of following the standard izakaya (traditional tavern) mode — where customers linger all evening, drinking and ordering yakitori a few sticks at a time — it operates more like a sushi or tempura ...

Word spread fast and Ubuka soon became a favorite of chefs and others in the know. They appreciate the unpretentious setting and Kato’s unaffected style. They like that he stays open a bit later than most other restaurants. And — most of all — ...

A generation ago, this low-rise warren of alleys lined with eateries, bars and taverns was a much more tightly closed world. To penetrate beyond the noren curtains hiding those inscrutable doorways, you needed introductions or, at the very least, prior reservations. These days most places are ...

The decor is warm and welcoming, the cooking good and portions substantial. And best of all, it’s great value. This may not be the cheapest French meal in town — for that, you can just walk up the alley to Pas a Pas, with ...

Time and budget constraints preclude frequent flights to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. But a highly acceptable alternative is just to ride the subway down to Yotsuya Sanchome, to Thien Phuoc, one of the friendliest, funkiest Vietnamese eateries in all of Tokyo.

Much more than just an eating place, Saikabo serves as an unofficial kimchi cultural center. It has a street-level retail store, where you can pick up half a dozen different kinds of kimchi as well as other staples brought in from South Korea.

For an extra ¥150, you can also get a cup of coffee. As a way to warm up customers who were brave enough to dare a large scoop of gelato, the shop offers free hot tea.