Toranoko

Occupying the B2 level of a building directly linked to the Shinjuku Subnade underground mall, Toranoko offers the easygoing appeal of a tavern you can slip into without ever surfacing aboveground. The open shopfront catches the eye from the walkway, lined with retro paper menu strips that recall Showa-era watering holes. It welcomes patrons warmly, whether you have twenty minutes to spare before a meeting or plan to linger with friends.

Kicking off with cheap highballs and signature Kushikara

When ordering your first round, the tavern's signature kushikara is the natural starting point. Crispy, fragrant, and skewered katsu-style, these fried bites go down effortlessly alongside an affordable highball. Edamame served as an appetizer otoshi gives you something to nibble on while wetting your whistle.

A broad spread of meat and seafood small plates

The slip-lined menu covers plenty of classic drinking companions: whole grilled dried sardines meant to be dressed with lemon and eaten head-to-tail, slow-simmered beef offal motsuni, yakitori skewers, and soft dashi-rolled omelets. With crisp deep-fried river shrimp, octopus chunks, and morokyu cucumber with miso also on hand, grazing across several small plates is part of the fun.

From midday set meals to evening pints

Running continuously from noon into the late evening, Toranoko doubles as a straightforward lunch stop serving filling teishoku sets anchored by fried horse mackerel, oysters, or karaage chicken. Whether pulling up a counter stool for a quick solo drink or sharing a table over a pitcher, it remains a dependable, unpretentious retreat amid the Shinjuku bustle.