Hokuhan

Hokuhan’s Saké Tray of 6 Michinoku Small Plates is a tempting choice if you’re unsure what to order or want to sample several Tohoku drinking snacks. The platter is listed at 1,750 yen per person. One diner who ordered it remembered its appealing presentation, and especially the texture of the herring pickled in sake lees. Start with the small plates, then decide what to order alongside them, whether that means another dish or a glass of sake.

For more variety, consider the sashimi platter. The menu lists bluefin tuna, sea bream and amberjack at 2,750 yen per person. One diner ordered it along with abalone recommended by the proprietress; the abalone’s firm texture added to the satisfaction of the meal. It was a separate recommendation, not a standard part of the sashimi platter.

If you’re coming for a hot pot, one account of two people sharing shirako nabe offers a useful impression: the pot was generous, and finishing with rice porridge left them full. It suits a leisurely meal centred on a shared dish. Reports use both “shirako nabe” and “Tsugaru Snow Hot Pot” to describe the hot pot, however, so the name and contents may vary.

The sake list includes bottles from Aomori, such as Denshu, Momokawa and Joppari. One diner paired Denshu with small plates and sashimi; another says they planned to switch to Denshu after drinking Momokawa, only to find it sold out. If you have a particular label in mind, check what’s available at the restaurant that day.

This izakaya is in Ueno 6-chome. Diners describe an old-fashioned atmosphere and a relaxed setting for food and drinks. Reservations are available and recommended for dinner, so it’s worth booking if you’re planning to gather around small plates or a hot pot.