Shimokitazawa

Yakiniku is such a fun food experience! We were staying in this neighborhood (love me some Shimokita) and walked by here a few times, even popped in one night when it was too busy, before coming for dinner our second to last night in Japan. Didn't have a reservation so we arrived right at opening and were able to get a table upstairs. We ordered one of their set meals, about $60/pp, and it was a legit meat parade of the highest quality and served with a bunch of sides like bean sprouts, pickled pig ears, rice, etc. Best (and most fun) part is grilling everything yourself, to your liking, often a quick sear, and then quickly dunking them in the suggested sauces...or as is. Enjoy it all with highballs. And know this, they're strong.

This is such a great yakiniku place!!! Located just steps away from the Shimokitazawa train station's South and East Exits, Yazawa is pretty convenient... and more importantly, the food tastes AWESOME. The dining room is upstairs. After you walk up the narrow stairway, you'll see the rather large dining room, with lots of tables and tons of restaurant patrons grilling beef at their tables while drinking beer or highballs. The meat quality at Yazawa is AMAZING. You can not go wrong! Oh, also... if you decide to stay until closing and still feel like drinking... there's a cabacura (Japanese hostess bar) next door with some moderately kawaii girls there to pour you drinks. Some of them speak English, but some do not. Oh, BTW I never actually went into the hostess bar, but girls from the bar did holler at me - almost every single night on my way home to my building (AirBNB spot). So yeah. Yazawa though. Definitely try this place if you're in Shimokitazawa! ii ne.

My boyfriend and I tried the meat sampler (about ¥5300 I think) and got a side of veggies as an appetizer. The staff was so kind and helpful and the food was delicious. We had been hankering for a good beef restaurant our whole trip, and finally found this place in the last night. Not too expensive, and excellent quality. We went around 5:20 (it opens at 5) and were seated immediately. Definitely recommend if you're staying in the Shimokitazawa area!

Great staff, great atmosphere and great food. We only went once, but felt like old friends (despite not speaking a word of Japanese). Will be back every time we are in Tokyo now - highly recommended!