A Terui

Strolling down the covered arcade in Minami-Senju, A Terui catches the eye with an unpretentious display of ready-made dishes out front. The daytime takeout counter features hefty grilled rice balls with a fragrant char, skewered chicken alternating with leeks or eggplant, packed portions of fried noodles, and simmering oden skewers—ideal when you want an extra bite to bring home. Everyday comforts like buttered potato and buttered sweet potato are also on hand.

Step inside, and an approachable owner welcomes guests into an easygoing setting for small plates and drinks. A plate of chicken hearts stir-fried with hot green chilies packs a lively kick, pairing naturally with oden and a mug of Kakubin highball, a lemon sour, or an old-school shitamachi-style Baisu sour. Bottled beer includes Asahi Super Dry alongside small bottles of Heineken and Corona; with Kinmiya shochu bottles and Takashimizu junmai sake also on the shelf, dropping in for a solo drink feels effortless from late morning into the evening.