Usagi

Tucked away in a quiet side street in Shinkawa, Chuo Ward, Usagi is a Japanese restaurant serving honest, home-style fare. Trays arrive composed in the traditional teishoku set meal format: freshly cooked rice and warm miso soup flanked by carefully prepared daily small plates, pickles, and an appetizing main dish, providing the dependable comfort of a balanced meal.

A perennial favorite on the menu is the fatty teriyaki yellowtail. Its sweet-savory glaze draws out the richness of the fish, making it an easy companion to bowls of plain white rice. Diners seeking meat will find hearty options in the pork ginger saute coated in a punchy sauce, or the crisp fried chicken served with a generous helping of salad. Unpretentious yet satisfying in portion, the cooking leaves both appetite and spirits well nourished.

Open primarily for weekday lunches, the dining room draws local workers and solo diners looking for a swift, restorative midday meal. Note that payment is cash only, so keeping coins and bank notes ready is advisable. It remains an appealingly casual neighborhood stop whenever you crave a soothing Japanese lunch.