Wakazō

Stepping through the noren curtain at dusk, the savory aroma drifting from the grill immediately sets an inviting tone. Located in Edogawa Ward's Higashi-Komatsugawa neighborhood, Wakazo (若蔵) is an easygoing izakaya to seek out for reasonably priced skewers and a varied spread of tavern fare.

Charred Skewers and Distinctive Condiments

A natural first order is the five-skewer chef's choice platter (omakase kushiyaki moriawase), grilled to order with your choice of salt or sweet-savory tare sauce. Skewers can also be ordered individually, offering cuts like tender sasami tenderloin, succulent seseri neck meat, classic negima chicken and scallion,つくね meatballs, and richly flavored liver. Diners can customize each piece with punchy condiments such as crisp stemmed wasabi, citrusy yuzu kosho, seasoned minced scallions, and grated daikon with ponzu.

Appetizing Small Plates and Comforting Izakaya Dishes

Between rounds of skewers, texture-forward chilled offal dishes—including pork gatsu sashi, pork kobukuro sashi, and beef senmai sashi—add variety to the drinks table. Familiar comforts round out the menu, such as richly stewed homemade motsuni, freshly fried burdock root karaage, and seaweed-battered chikuwa isobe-age. The food pairs naturally with draft beer and Hoppy sets, alongside recognized sakes such as Otokoyama and Hakkaisan, as well as an assortment of shochu.

To finish, satisfying noodle and rice options await, including dashi-rich torijiru tsuke soba, the signature Wakazo ramen, and comforting chicken zosui rice porridge. With attentive table service and an unhurried setting, it offers a dependable backdrop for sharing an evening meal among companions.