01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Located right outside the Toyama Exit of Takadanobaba Station, Ikeruya is a relaxed izakaya centered on charcoal-grilled skewers and reasonably priced appetisers. Among the house specialities are Hakata-style skewers, ranging from slow-rendered Hakata chicken skin skewers to pork-wrapped vegetable skewers such as quail egg and bacon, lettuce, and cheese-stuffed peppers. Diners can pick skewers 1 at a time, or opt for an assortment like the Hakata 7-skewer platter to share alongside a draft beer or a chilled highball fresh off the grill.
Beyond the skewers, the menu offers a broad selection of side plates. Crisp sweetcorn tempura with natural sweetness and fragrant deep-fried kibinago (silver-stripe round herring) are popular companions for the first round of drinks. Hot teppan dishes and comfort fare are equally well represented, featuring tonpeiyaki omelettes, fluffy handmade tsukune meatballs served with raw egg yolk, and generous plates of crisp chicken karaage.
The beverage roster spans Kaku and Jim Beam highballs, beer, sours, and "JJ"—a blend of jasmine shochu and jasmine tea—with options like a 60-minute all-you-can-drink Kaku highball plan for those settling in for the evening. With spoken ordering at the table and an unpretentious atmosphere, the tavern works just as well for an easy drink after work or a casual gathering with friends as it does for dropping in solo for a few skewers.
