IKEBUKURO: Standing Bar Saya... very very old skool with elderly regulars

Trying to kill a little time and randomly went into this tiny standing bar neighboring a liquor shop.  I can only assume the elderly wife runs the liquor shop and the husband relaxes in his own standing bar.

300yen for draft beers and 400yen for large bottles.

Noticed wooded Oden box... everything a very reasonable 50yen.

Everyone watching SUMO!  Its on~.

Got my gift from Hawaii!  Moana Loa Macadamia Nut Kisses!  

You can buy random packaged stuff like seaweed.  Okinwan Sake Awamori was 300yen.

Round table outside with seating for 5-6... 

Neat little spot with a very retired elderly crowd.  Unsure if I'd go back and pay 300yen for beers when I could just hit up Koike Izakaya for their 100yen beers.  But a nice cozy experience. 

Shop: Saya - Standing Bar

Tabelog Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13125224/

Yahoo Foodie: http://loco.yahoo.co.jp/place/dac1978f73bde33d73a1245dad56608e4c164c0f/?

Address J: 東京都豊島区東池袋1-36-5

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Higashi Ikebukuro 1-36-5
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EBISU: Aburidori Baricho... aka pleasantly smokey Yakitori!

Back in the day I lived in Ebisu for about 4 years and enjoyed searching for new reasonable spots and years later I was pleasantly surprised to see Aburidori Baricho still open with a solid 3.53pt foodie ranking.

Menu's in English!

Order's are taken on this little piece of paper of items written in Japanese... but it will test your J --> E Skillz.

All you can eat cabbage Otoshi arrived... this is great.  Normally otoshi consists of something so insanely boring like seasoned bean sprouts or a bit of potato salad.

Portions were a bit larger than my last visit to Gonpachi Shibuya. 

Liver...

Of course... my favorite Bonjiri (Chicken Butt)... big pieces.

I'm not a fan of Nankotsu (fairly hard cartilage) but this was a bit more soft and there was so much meat on it... If you are not a fan you gotta try it here.

Closed with a stick of mochi.

Shop was a really really smokey mess... they closed the front door due to the cold evening and well we all smelled like Yakitori by evenings end.  I guess that might be part of the attraction here... Full house and a small mix of foreigners too.

Free Popsicle of choice for dessert.

Oh, there are baskets to store and hide your jackets away from the smokey smoke.  

I'll definitely be back again but highly suggest their 5-7pm Happy Hour too... can't recall what the drink deals were but hey, we all love HH.  Oh, staff was friendly and beers came out quickly.

Shop: Aburidori Baricho Ebisu

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130302/13016621/

Shop Website: http://www.commercial-art.net/shop/tokyo/baricho-ebisu/baricho-ebisu.html

Address J: 東京都渋谷区恵比寿南1-1-4

Address E: Tokyo, Shibuya-ku, Ebisu Minami 1-1-4
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IKEBUKURO: Masuya kinda Standing Japanese Izakaya... cozy.

Went into Masuya just to kill a little time before meeting up with everyone.

Interior was cozy and on this Thursday night it was nice and busy at 7pm.  

Cold winter evening "Atsukan" is a must.

Light oden.  Warms you up.

Bonjiri (Chicken Butt Yakitori)... gotta try it.  Masuya's bonjiri was really meaty compared to most places... felt kinda odd having such a big mouthful of butt.  Prefer little butts myself.

If you want to experience a nice standing (partial sitting) busy Japanese izakaya with great beer food then this would definitely be an interesting place.  You can watch the Yakitori chef and people watch at the U shaped counter or seats along the side. 

Shop: Masuya

Foodie Website: http://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1305/A130501/13035773/

Shop Website:  http://www.frontier-one.co.jp/masuya/ikebukuro.html

Address J: 東京都豊島区西池袋1丁目24-3

Address E: Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Nishi Ikebukuro 1-24-3

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