Kagenotsuki

Spinach in dashi, sautéed potatoes with bacon, an ethnic-style quiche with minced chicken and summer-vegetable ratatouille: diners who order an appetiser assortment at Kagenotsuki can expect a playful mix of Japanese side dishes and Western-style options. The assortment lets you sample a little of several dishes at once. One diner notes that you can choose 3 or 5 appetisers, and that the many changing specials mean there is something different to try on each visit. Choosing from the day’s menu is part of the appeal.

For a dish to savour on its own, there is also a creamy prawn and egg gratin. One diner chose mackerel miso and soboro rice as a final course, suggesting a meal can run from appetisers through to a rice dish. The menu also lists pork offal stew with plenty of root vegetables and salmon with colourful vegetables in a nanban-style marinade. Drinks include sake, shochu, wine and highballs. Sake is offered by the go, a traditional serving, either chilled or warmed; the list includes Yamamoto junmai ginjo and a local sake in a 100 ml serving. Whether you want to focus on the food or graze on small plates while exploring the drinks list, you can set your own pace.

This izakaya on Abeno-suji in Abeno Ward is described as suitable for solo dining. One visitor who stopped in alone enjoyed appetisers and drinks. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays and open Monday and Wednesday to Saturday from 14 to 22, and Sunday from 14 to 20.