Simmering Mist

Okinawa's Stew Culture Okinawa's food culture has developed since the Ryukyu Dynasty through exchanges with China, Southeast Asia, Korea, and Japan. Ryukyu cuisine is so rich in pork dishes that it's said to "start and end with pork." Not only pork meat and innards, but even ears, feet, face, bones, and blood are often wasted...

The famous bar "Mitakaya Bar" has a lot of charm, which I always visit several times a year. In addition to the standard menu items that I always end up ordering, such as the beef stew, there is also an extensive blackboard menu with recommendations that change from day to day. I always end up ordering my favorite dishes, and then I find myself...

A 10-minute walk from Mabashi Station, you'll find Nika Curry Shop, a solitary establishment with a red lantern and a dazzling aura. Upon opening the door, you'll be greeted by Tony, the Bangladeshi owner, who says, "Welcome back." A warm-hearted bar that's been in business for 34 years...

Kotobuki Shokudo in the shopping district in front of Okayama Station is a reliable place to grab a quick drink before boarding a Shinkansen or plane. Fukube in Yaesu and Hashimoto Sake Shop in Shin-Osaka are also good options, but places like Maruhachi Sushi in Nagoya, Genzo Honten in Hiroshima, and Marusho in Sendai are open from lunchtime, so you can start your drinking session right away...

"Stamina Don" in Chiba Prefecture is not in a great location, far from the station, but when you open the door, you'll be surprised to see that both the counter and the tables are full. The name sounds like a place specializing in garlic-heavy rice bowls, but it also serves everything from yakitori to sashimi, fried dishes, and stews...

Shinkoiwa "Uozan" There are many drinking establishments, and Shinkoiwa is a town where you will have no trouble finding cheap and tasty standing bars and other famous places to drink. The Shinkoiwa branch of Uozan, a very famous restaurant in Monnaka and Morishita, has a W U-shape and a small tatami room, which I personally love...

Saegusa" in a residential area A few hours after the first restaurant "Hashino Shokudo" in Tsuyama... Founded in 1985, the previous proprietress started the restaurant by herself, and now it is run mainly by her son, the second generation. The previous proprietress started the restaurant by herself, and now it is run by her son, the second generation...

Tsuyama, a Town of Beef Hormone Tsuyama City in Okayama Prefecture is home to a meat processing center, and is a regular winner of the B1 Grand Prix, where you will find many stores selling "horumon udon" (udon noodles with beef guts). What kind of "stewed beef hormone" can be found in Tsuyama, a city where beef hormone is eaten throughout the city? I wondered...

10 Best Stew Set Meals from Around Japan: The cool weather has arrived, and stews are delicious. So, if you're looking for a satisfying lunch or dinner, we've rounded up 10 restaurants from around Japan that serve stews. Tamaya Shokudo in Fuchu City...

Akebono Store, Himeji's famous bar. Located on the opposite side of Himeji Castle. A 10-minute walk southeast from the station, you'll find Akebono Store, a quintessential Showa-era supermarket celebrating its 68th anniversary this year. Wow, I'm thrilled! From supermarket to bar...

A restaurant specializing in set menus with stewed meat under the direct management of a meat wholesaler and processor. Located in a residential area under the Chuo Freeway, familiar from the lyrics of Yumi's song, is Tamaya Shokudo, a restaurant specializing in stewed meat dishes directly operated by a meat wholesaler and processor. It used to be easy to get in, but now...

Established in 1897, Yamashiroya Sakaba is located in Minami-Suna, Koto Ward, and has been in business for over 120 years. Not only is the exterior impressive, but the tanzaku (strips of paper) plastered all over the place make it a truly pub-like establishment. Even if it's far from home, it's a place you'll want to visit regularly. The beloved "Haru-chan"...

Motsuno, a rising star in stew set meal restaurants, has suddenly become a hot topic of conversation recently. Located in an industrial park in Aikawa Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, with no train station nearby, this rising star stew set meal restaurant suddenly opened last April. Run by a young female owner, it's a place where there's always a line of customers...

A yakitori restaurant beloved by locals, located between Keikyu Kamata Station and Zoshigaya Station. Despite being a residential area, it's also home to many shops. This area was formerly home to the famous bar "Sanpei," which closed in 2015. "Jumbo Otsuka," which opens at 1 p.m., is a huge hit during the day. It's a common question: "What do you usually do?"...

Tateishi, the sacred land of sake bars, has many bars such as Oyokozuna Uchida, Sakae Sushi, Ebisuya Shokudo, Torihobo, Edokko, Ranshu, and Shu, all of which closed this summer. Tateishi is a bar area with a lot of bars such as Edokko, Ranju, and Shu, which closed this summer due to redevelopment. Machinuka at the south exit Along the railway line at the south exit...

When you go to a trade show for business or pleasure, you often have trouble finding a pub on your way home. Big Sight, Makuhari Messe, and Pacifico Yokohama are all by the sea, and there are no public bars to be found in the area. When you take a train on the way home from such a big exhibition...

Fukuroi, the melon town. Fukuroi City in Shizuoka Prefecture is a producer of high-quality melons, and even the famous "Sembikiya" restaurant uses melons from Fukuroi. Fukuroi is a world-famous producer of high-quality melons, so much so that former British Prime Minister Thatcher praised it highly. What's more, Fukuroi residents often season their melons with Hennessy...

It's still hot in the evening, and there's a line at Uozo in Monzen-Nakacho, even at dusk. That said, the turnover is fast, so even if you're just 7 or 8 people in, it won't take long for your turn to come around. Just admire the impressive noren curtain and sliding door, and your turn will come around quickly. Now, let's go behind the noren curtain and find out where the shop is...

The pennant race is in its final stages. The Chiba Lotte Marine Stadium, home of the Chiba Lotte Marines, is famous for its gourmet "motsu-nikomi" (stewed beef and vegetable stew). In my column, I recommend the "motsu-nikomi" of Marine Stadium, which I have eaten at 2,000 restaurants across the country.