Mamma Jiima
Koenji: Izakaya
Mamma Jiima (Koenji: Izakaya)
Mamma Jiima
Open 5pm-midnight (LO) daily.
Sun: Open Sundays

Warayaki, or straw-roasted cooking, is a technique for quickly searing ingredients like chicken and bonito at very high temperatures. It's entertaining to watch, and the straw imparts a pleasant, slightly woody aroma to the food. The warayaki chicken here is beautifully prepared, complemented by garlicky seasoning and served over a bed of vinegared raw cabbage with a hefty helping of cilantro.

The grilled sausage and the sashimi of the day are also top-notch, as are vegetable side dishes like fried ginkgo nuts with Himalayan salt, fried corn, and renkon-kimpira (spicy lotus-root salad). The sake list is short but effective, centered on five varieties of the excellent Mutsu Hassen from Aomori. Other drink options include shochu, Hoppy, and a very budget-friendly wine list.

The atmosphere is hip and casual, with a mix of customers that skews a bit younger than your typical Koenji izakaya. Seating can be a bit tight but not especially uncomfortable, and service is friendly. There's an English menu, but it's worth checking the hand-written sheets for daily specials and the menu on the wall above the counter for additional sake choices. Budget around Y3000-4000 for ample food and drink at dinnertime.







Koenji
Suginami-ku, Koenji-Minami 4-27-18.
~
s捂~4-27-18






Follow:
 
Sister sites:
Craft Beer Bars Japan
Bars, retailers and festivals
Animal Cafes
Cat, rabbit and bird cafe guide
Where in Tokyo
Fun things to do in the big city
tokyopicks.com
Neighborhood guides and top-five lists from Tokyo experts
Barking Inu
Sushi dictionary and Japan Android apps
 
 

Venue listing from Bento.com5 Star Rating: highly recommended