Uokyu

I love the shitamachi area, old part of Tokyo, in particular Nihonbashi and Ningyocho. There are many historic shops – including many food shops that go back many generations. Uokyu in Ningyocho specializes in kasuzuke – fish filets marinated in sake lees and then charcoal grilled. 

There was already a queue before the store opened at 11:00 a.m. By 11:30 a.m. the restaurant was already full. All locals. No tourists. The gindara black cod is amazing. I wanted to try the ajimise set which includes three fish: gindara black cod, ginjake silver salmon, and sawara Spanish mackerel. 1,980 yen ($14). The meal comes with miso soup, rice, pickles, and two side dishes.

Entrance to Uokyu honten restaurant.

The historic shop opened in 1914. There is a sign as you exit the subway with directions to the restaurant. Note that there is also two retail shops in the area selling the marinated fish that customers can grill at home. Below is the address for the restaurant. 

Retail store

Uokyu Honten

Tokyo-to, Chuo-ku, Nihonbashi Ningyocho 1-1-20

Note that dinner is a multi course kaiseki style meal. Come for lunch for their signature meal. Uokyu also has branches in depachika food halls selling their sake lees marinated fish.