An Izakaya Where the Menu Never Runs Out of Surprises
Published: August 19, 2026
※Prices are subject to change from those in effect at the time of the interview. Please contact the store directly for the latest information.
“Izakaya Kunyukun,” offering a wide selection of food and drinks
The food menu features around 100 dishes, while the drink selection includes seasonal Japanese sake carefully selected from across Japan, beer, and unique freshly squeezed fruit sours made with unusual fruits.
Even though the menu is entirely in Japanese, ordering through the restaurant’s app makes things much easier for visitors who do not speak Japanese. You can browse the dishes with photos, which gives you a pretty good idea of what you are ordering. And if you want to understand the Japanese text as well, you can always use your phone’s built-in translation feature to translate the menu directly on screen.
Awajishima Wakame Noodles (Awaji Island Seaweed Noodles)
I have always loved soba noodles, but this was actually my first time trying wakame seaweed soba. The noodles are made with seaweed from Awaji Island, giving them a slightly different texture and a subtle seaweed flavor. I was not sure what to expect, but they were really good. Definitely something I would order again.
Mentaiko Mochi Cheese (Spicy Cod Roe, Mochi, and Cheese)
Mentaiko is a popular ingredient in Japan with a salty, slightly spicy and quite distinctive flavor. While the combination of mentaiko with melted cheese and chewy mochi is not a very common menu outside Japan, this dish created a surprisingly good mix of spicy, creamy and chewy textures.
Tebasaki Karaage (Fried Chicken Wings)
This dish is one of those classic izakaya dishes that is hard to go wrong with. These chicken wings are deep-fried until the skin is crisp and golden, while the meat stays juicy and tender inside. They are the kind that disappears quickly from the table, especially with a cold drink on the side.
Gyusuji Nikomi (Simmered Beef Tendon)
Gyusuji Nikomi is a slow-cooked beef tendon dish, simmered until the meat becomes incredibly tender and packed with flavor. The texture is the real highlight here: soft and almost melting in your mouth. It is the kind of dish that shows how much Japanese cooking can get out of a relatively simple ingredient when it is given plenty of time to cook.
Edona Pork Stir-Fry (Stir-Fried Edona Greens with Pork)
If you are looking for something a little more filling, this is a great choice. The combination of fresh Edona greens and tender pork gives the dish a hearty and satisfying feel. It is simple, flavorful, and perfect when you want something more substantial.
Smoothie Curry Rice
This was a fun and original take on curry rice, topped with grilled zucchini. The flavors worked surprisingly well together, with the smoky, slightly charred zucchini adding another layer of flavor to the rich curry. A nice variation if you want to try something a little different from the usual Japanese curry rice.
Ara-jiru (Fish Broth Soup)
Ara-jiru is a traditional Japanese soup made by simmering fish bones and scraps to create a rich, flavorful broth. It has a deep seafood taste without feeling too heavy, making it a great way to finish a meal. I particularly liked how the broth makes the most of parts of the fish that might otherwise go to waste.
Seasonal Japanese Sake and beer carefully selected from across Japan.
A lot of visitors from abroad have a somewhat misleading image of Japanese sake and expect it to be a strong, harsh spirit. In reality, sake is a brewed alcohol that can be much closer in style to white wine, with a wide range of aromas and flavors. It also pairs beautifully with delicate Japanese dishes such as sashimi and sushi.
At checkout, guests can enjoy a capsule toy machine for a chance to win a prize, as well as complimentary nostalgic Japanese sweets.
I also liked the playful touch at the end of the meal. When you pay, you can try your luck with a capsule toy machine and see if you win a little prize. The whole checkout experience feel a bit more fun and unexpected.
At “Izakaya Kunyukun,” you can also enjoy “Sapporo The Perfect Black Label,” a special draft beer that can only be served at restaurants that meet Sapporo Beer’s strict quality standards.
Kunyukun is a small, authentic neighborhood izakaya, perfect for discovering a variety of Japanese dishes while enjoying a good drink. With everything from sashimi and noodles to fried and simmered dishes, it is a great place to explore the flavors of everyday Japanese dining.
≪English Reporter Journalist Profile≫
・Name：Grégoire Renais
・Nationality：France
・Hobbies：Hiking, Photography (Landscapes, Japanese cultural events)
※Information is based on July 2026. Prices, operating hours, and other details may change. Please verify with the store directly.
※All amounts mentioned in the article are inclusive of taxes.
