Sannowa

There is a distinct satisfaction in spending an evening at an izakaya with freshly steamed white rice as the centrepiece. One of the highlights at Sannowa in Minowa is the donabe rice, cooked in an earthenware pot to order. Available in one- or two-gou portions and accompanied by soup and pickles, the single-serving size is easy to order even when dining solo. Pair it with deeply flavoured beef sukiyaki meat tofu or fragrant saikyo-grilled silver salmon, and you have a satisfying meal as well as a comforting close to a round of drinks.

Hearty Drinking Fare and Custom Rice Pairings

The dishes lining the menu strips and paper slips suit an evening drink just as naturally as they complement a bowl of white rice. Highlights include an attractive three-kind sashimi assortment, classic rolled omelette (dashimaki tamago), and juicy grilled chicken thigh with sansho pepper, alongside grilled onigiri prized for their crisp, savoury crust and accompanying pickles. A diverse spread of side toppings, including raw egg, Hokkaido kuma natto, and grated tororo yam, makes customising each spoonful of donabe rice part of the fun.

From Casual Solo Pints to Gatherings on Tatami

Beyond the counter seats, the dining room includes regular tables and tatami seating, easily accommodating a solo drink after work or a meal with a group. The drinks list ranges from draft beer and assorted highballs to tea-infused shochu drinks like corn tea and soba tea highballs, alongside sake and shochu. Business hours run from 17:00 to 24:00 with Mondays off. As seats often fill up later in the evening, checking ahead with a reservation is recommended if you have your heart set on visiting.