Zawaya

Part of the pleasure of dining at Zawaya is choosing one dish at a time. Visitors have singled out the chicken tenderloin sashimi with yuzu pepper, simmered offal and fried chicken. The sashimi is available in limited quantities, so it is worth considering if you see it on the menu. The fried chicken comes in options including well-seasoned karaage and grated-daikon karaage. The popular-dishes listing also suggests the lighter grated-daikon version, with mayonnaise or cheese as possible toppings. Choose a seasoning to suit your mood, or add the grated daikon or a topping.

For another fried bite, consider tempura-fried shredded squid or fried strips of yam. The menu also has individual satsuma-age fish cakes, including vegetable, burdock, red pickled ginger, gyoza dumpling and meat-miso varieties; some are priced at ¥150 each. If you want to try a few, combining smaller dishes lets you sample different flavours.

One reviewer enjoyed the croquettes enough to order them repeatedly. They are listed at 1 for 80 yen, making one an easy addition to the table. To finish with something more substantial, choose from rice dishes such as chicken rice porridge, yakisoba or rice topped with raw egg.

Drinks include draft Kirin Lager, chūhai, sake and red or white wine by the glass. Whether you are building a meal around chicken dishes and small plates or just want a few bites with a drink, there is a range of options to put together.