Doichan

Combining the relaxed ease of an izakaya with the quieter mood of a neighbourhood bar, Doichan opens its doors at 19:00 on the 2th floor of a commercial building in Nogata. Settle in at the counter or a table to unwind over unpretentious small plates and a drink.

The food menu offers plenty to pair with a glass, moving from seafood such as seared cured mackerel (shimesaba) and sea bream cured with kombu to anchovy-tossed cabbage, aubergine baked with tomato sauce and cheese, and sansho-spiced mapo tofu. While it caters easily to anyone wanting a light bite with an evening drink, substantial plates like Japanese curry rice and steak are also on hand when hunger calls for a fuller meal.

The beverage selection spans beer, wine, whisky, house-made herbal lemon sours, and soft drinks. Finishing with a homemade dessert is another signature way to round out the visit.

Except on Thursdays, the bar stays open until 2:00 the following morning, taking reservations and accepting PayPay. It makes a comfortable retreat whether dropping in solo for a quiet late drink or settling in for an unhurried midnight meal over conversation.