Tabelog ratingNIKUSYO taku ohira (NIKUSYO taku ohira) applies the logic of a kappo counter to yakiniku. Chef Takuro Ohira, who trained in Japanese cuisine, butchers wagyu at an L-shaped counter while staff grill every slice at your table, so you never have to judge doneness yourself. The courses mix the beef with seasonal dishes such as uni chawanmushi, eel and seaweed rolls and clam-broth shabu-shabu. The dipping sauces are dashi-based rather than sweet. Tabelog named the restaurant to its yakiniku "Tabelog 100" EAST list in 2022, 2023 and 2025, and to its grill list for 2026.
Reviewers most often praise the thick-cut tongue (tokujo tan) and the sakura-ebi donabe rice, tiny shrimp cooked in a clay pot. They also mention the fresh liver, the harami (skirt) and the sirloin yakisuki dipped in egg yolk. Foreign guests repeatedly describe the staff as warm, patient and helpful in English.
The complaints are specific. A minority of reviewers, mostly foreign visitors, report billing surprises:
- a table charge they were not told about;
- oolong tea rising from ¥500 to ¥650 for "no ice";
- higher drink prices on the English menu;
- one ¥5,000 overcharge.
Some found the course meat over-charred, fatty or weaker than the à la carte cuts. Others felt rushed or neglected mid-course.
The restaurant serves dinner only, with no lunch. Reviewers recently paid ¥12,000 before tax for the popular Kinrenka course. With light drinking, the total typically came to ¥18,000–20,000 per person, and to nearly ¥30,000 with wine. À la carte, reviewers paid around ¥800 for seri namul, ¥1,500 for butterbur-shoot tempura, ¥3,000 for eel kabayaki and ¥8,000 for a steak.
The value is fair for the quality, and several Japanese reviewers call the course reasonably priced. Extras push the bill up, though. Ordering à la carte and reading the bill before paying gets you more for your money.
- Getting there: about 3 minutes' walk from Susukino Station (Namboku Line), Exit 5. Head south along the street in front of the station and turn right at the FamilyMart onto Shinjuku-dori. The noren curtain is on your left.
- Booking: a reservation is strongly recommended. Walk-ins are sometimes offered only a short slot of about 50 minutes. When booking you will be asked whether it is your first visit and about allergies. If you are bringing children, give their ages. Phone 050-5590-0345.
- Time limit: reviewers report limits of around 75 minutes. Ask when seated.
- Charges: 10% service charge plus a ¥1,000 cover charge. Reviewers say a drink order is effectively expected.
- Payment: VISA, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX and Diners accepted. PayPay, d Barai and Rakuten Pay accepted. Electronic money (IC cards) not accepted.
- Seating: 26 seats: 8 at the counter, 8 at tables and 10 in semi-private rooms. Private rooms for 6 and 8. Semi-private rooms take 3–12 people.
- Smoking: allowed throughout. Reviewers say the ventilation is good.
- Parking: none. Coin parking nearby.
- Language: reviewers mention an English menu, a Chinese ordering tablet and an English-speaking staff member.
- Tip: the clay-pot rice takes about 20 minutes, so order it early.
