Satsuki

Fried loach is a speciality that visitors to Satsuki mention. One diner was surprised to learn that the loach is fried while still alive, and reported that the bones were edible and the dish went well with shochu. The menu lists fried loach for ¥650. It is easy to imagine ordering a plate to savour alongside a glass of shochu.

For sashimi, sardine is one option. A diner described the sardine, topped with ginger and spring onion, as rich and flavourful, with no fishy smell. Another reported enjoying the octopus sashimi. The menu also lists chopped horse mackerel and vinegared mackerel, offering alternatives when you want something different from fried dishes.

There is a good range of small plates to order a few at a time, as you would expect at an izakaya. Fried river prawns cost ¥450, while 3 yakitori skewers are ¥440. Other choices include aubergine with miso and simmered beef tendon. One diner recalled that the river prawns were on the large side and fried until crisp. They could add a different texture alongside yakitori or sashimi.

The drinks menu includes draft beer, lemon sours, chilled sake, and sweet-potato and barley shochu. You can choose a drink to suit the food: shochu with the fried loach, for example, or a preferred tipple with sashimi. Some diners have noted the old-fashioned izakaya atmosphere, and the restaurant is also presented as a place suited to solo dining. It offers a range of small plates, from sashimi to fried dishes, for a night out in Yoyogi.