01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
One surprise awaits as soon as you sit down: you can choose monjayaki as your starter. Gathering around the griddle as the batter sizzles and fragrant steam rises makes it easy to relax before the drinks even arrive. There is also an “extra monjayaki” serving on the menu, so this lively griddle snack can take centre stage at a get-together.
Umaimon Sakaba Batcho in Koenji is an izakaya with a generous selection of well-priced, thoughtfully prepared dishes. Among its signature meat dishes are the limited-quantity Kiwami Liver and beef rib skewers, juicy round gyoza and salt-seasoned offal to savour at leisure. The menu also ranges from pork belly skewers and doteyaki skewers to freshly fried shiso-leaf horse mackerel and Batcho karaage, alongside plenty of small plates and fried dishes to enjoy with a drink.
The drinks list includes familiar options such as hoppy and beer, as well as cocktails, wine and a drinks happy hour. Open every day from 12:00, the restaurant suits an early daytime drink just as well as an evening meal with friends. If you are after something more substantial, finish with Yakisobatcho or omu chahan.
