Ginchan

Order the squid-yaki, then settle in with a drink and some karaoke. That makes for a fitting evening at Ginchan in Nishinari.

The house specialty, squid-yaki, is ¥400: squid is cooked in a savoury batter and served with a special sauce. Diners who have tried it have praised its flavour. For an egg dish, consider the dashimaki made with carefully selected eggs (¥700), described on the menu as soft and fluffy, with savoury dashi flavour. Other options are more substantial: omurice, with ketchup fried rice wrapped in a fluffy omelette (¥800), and oyakodon, chicken and egg simmered in dashi and served over rice (¥800). A bowl of rice topped with raw egg costs ¥400. There are choices for a small bite or a filling meal.

For something lighter, there is fried rice (¥700) or a set with 2 onigiri, a side dish and soup (¥700). Ramen, pasta and egg rice porridge are also on the menu, making it easy to choose between a meal and a drink-focused visit. Drinks include lemon and yuzu chu-hai, beer, shochu and whisky. Tea and cola are available too.

Karaoke is another feature of the restaurant. One anime fan who visited said they spent time talking about anime and singing favourite songs. It’s an option for an evening of food, conversation and singing.

From Monday to Friday, the restaurant is open from 20:00 until 5:00 the following day. On Saturdays, hours are 19:00 to 5:00 the following day, and on Sundays, 14:00 to 5:00 the following day. These hours may suit a late-night drink or an earlier Sunday stop.