Oppeke-Tei

The menu at Oppeke-Tei features familiar, homestyle cooking ranging from daily obanzai—Kyoto-style small side dishes like kinpira gobo (braised burdock root) and shira-ae (vegetables in mashed tofu dressing)—to seasonal sashimi and fried plates. Located in the Uzumasa district, this neighborhood izakaya largely draws local regulars. Deep-fried selections include deep-fried daikon radish, crispy beef tripe (mino karaage), and battered dried squid tempura.

The drink selection is equally varied. A chalkboard lists regional sakes from across Japan, including bottles like Matsunotsukasa, Suigei, and Kokuryu. The house also serves fruit liqueurs with rich pulp and creative chuhai variations spiked with pickled ginger or umeboshi. Guests can settle in over drinks accompanied by dashi maki tamago (rolled dashi omelets) prepared with a generous helping of eggs or slow-simmered oden that has soaked up savory broth.

To finish the meal, the kitchen prepares warming bowls such as tamago zosui (egg and rice porridge) served in preheated pottery, along with garlic fried rice and keema curry rice. The nonsmoking dining room combines counter seating with conventional tables, offering a relaxed and casual setting. Service runs from 17:30 until midnight at 0:00, with Mondays off. Payment is cash only, and advance reservations are recommended since tables fill up quickly during evening hours.