Omoide Yokocho – Neighborhood Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"What’s this place all about? Shinjuku ’s Omoide Yokocho is an atmospheric, narrow lane filled with 60 or so bustling, open-fronted, hole in-the-wall restaurants, each seating only a handful of customers. Come after dark to see the red lanterns glowing and the charcoal smoke billowing into the streets. Who’s eating here? Locals frequenting their favorite yakitori shop; tourists and travelers lured in by the characterful and charming setting. What’s to drink? It’s all about beer; ask for Kirin or Suntory Premium Malt. And what should we order to eat? Even at these small yakitori joints, you can embrace the Japanese concept of omakase, where you leave your meal in the hands of the chefs. Then sit back and relax while you are served a continuous stream of tasty skewers of chicken, pork, and vegetables. How is the service? At these tiny yakitori stalls, everything is quick and efficient. You sit down and there are only one or two staff. Service is is a notch above a street cart, and the atmosphere is lively and frenetic." - Anna Chittenden