Akachochin

An izakaya specializing in beef offal, Akachochin is located a five-minute walk from Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station (look for the sign that reads Shusse ryori Akachochin displayed outside the restaurant). The menu here includes gatsu-sashi (sliced beef gut), gyu-tan-sashi (sliced beef tongue), harami-sashi (sliced beef skirt), and a range of other sliced meats. That being said, the go-to menu item here is the sashi-mori, a plate of assorted raw meats including liver, heart, spleen and gut meat topped with a special gochujang (a savoury fermented Korean condiment) based sauce. Other favourites here include grilled dishes such as gyu-tan-yaki (grilled beef tongue), gyu-harami-yaki (grilled beef skirt) and gyu-shibirenira (a dish containing sweetbreads and leek) – all of which come heavily seasoned and go well with something alcoholic. Towards closing time the more popular foods often sell out, so in addition to making prior reservations, it’s also advisable to go early. Prominent figures known to have enjoyed a bite to eat here include former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.