Toukei

"Unwind and indulge at Toukei with Japanese whiskey and sake flights and top-notch ramen classics. Or, step outside of the norm with flavorful ramen concoctions like the truffle shoyu ramen and the spicy black ramen made with black garlic oil and a house chili bomb." - Brittany Britto Garley

"Open Until: 2am Fri-Sat, 1am Sun and Tues-Thurs (closed Monday) The Chinatown izakaya Toukei serves ramen, sushi, and yakitori. But if the rows of Japanese whiskey bottles covering an entire wall (and filling up the bar) aren’t indication enough, most folks come to Toukei for the drinks. Have a bowl of spicy black ramen and a cocktail on the side—preferably something whiskey-based—to gear up for a fierce bar crawl ahead. Or, stick around for a while longer—there are enough drink options to keep you happy for the rest of the night, anyway." - chelsea thomas, gianni greene

"Toukei, an izakaya just off Bellaire, is the best spot to pregame a night out, or post-game since it’s open until 1am. The expansive menu spans from sushi to yakitori to ramen, with an eye-crossing bar menu. This Prohibition-era bomb shelter has so much booze that an entire wall of the restaurant is one giant floor-to-ceiling liquor cabinet—and there’s even more stacked up behind the bar. If you eat here and aren’t drinking, then you maybe shouldn’t be here (or just order a lot of food to distract the staff).  What to order: a drink" - chelsea thomas, gianni greene

"The izakaya and whiskey bar Toukei holds the title for our favorite place to get a late night bowl of ramen. While the first point of interest might be the rows upon rows of Japanese whiskeys, the bowls of tonkotsu are just as exciting and diverse. While undoubtedly industrial and cool, Toukei isn’t lifeless—everywhere you look, there are intricate murals or rustic metal signs. Slurp back chewy noodles and cool down the heat from the piping hot bowls of pork-based broth with a whiskey sour." - gianni greene, chelsea thomas

"Transport yourself to the streets of Tokyo at Asiatown’s Japanese whiskey bar and yakitori restaurant. The dimly lit space replicates the izakayas of Japan, with thrilling dishes like the rib-eye cap, chicken gizzards, and pork jowl, and an expansive list of Japanese whiskys and cocktails. An order of the okonomiyaki is obligatory to pair alongside its skewers, and the silky black truffle ramen offers a comforting end to a night on the town." - Brittany Britto Garley, Sean Hekmat