Taiko

Set along a stretch of Kita-Shinagawa that still echoes the old Tokaido highway, Taiko is an unpretentious stop for neat, traditional Japanese cooking. The midday menu balances fish and meat options, headlined by thick-cut redfish marinated in sake lees (kasuzuke) that stays moist and tender on the grill, alongside Japanese-style steak, pork steeped in black tea with savory sauce, and ginger pork loin. Lunch trays come thoughtfully assembled in classic washoku style, balancing rice and miso soup with a small salad and savory steamed egg custard (chawanmushi).

In the evening, the restaurant works equally well for drinks or an unhurried, nourishing dinner. The nighttime set-meal lineup caters easily to solo diners, featuring staple fish courses such as salted grilled mackerel, dried atka mackerel (hokke), and assorted sashimi, alongside punchy ginger pork and Japanese fried chicken (karaage).

Those settling in with a drink can graze through small plates such as sashimi platters, simmered beef offal, and seasonal deep-fried bites. With a beverage selection spanning draft beer and regional sakes like Urakasumi, Hakkaisan, and Houou Biden Junmai Daiginjo, the tranquil dining room provides an easygoing backdrop for a quiet evening meal.