Shokudô Adds Japanese Tavern Fare to Upper King | Eater Carolinas

"A posh Japanese tavern on Upper King, this spot serves kushiyaki (skewered meats), ramen, fancy small bites, dumplings, and hand rolls made with local seafood; chef Masatomo “Masa” Hamaya is working with Carolina fishmongers to bring in yellowfin tuna, red grouper, blue crab, vermilion snapper, and more. There’s sushi in the form of hand rolls (not competing with O-Ku for nigiri or sashimi). Grilled skewers go beyond typical izakaya fare with combinations like lamb shoulder with curry pickled onion and duck meatball with lotus root. “At Shokudô, we want to do something very special that is one of a kind,” says Hamaya. The design channels a Japanese farmhouse and the wabi-sabi aesthetic—calm interiors with warm wood tones, glowing candles, subtle artwork, and exposed brick—while outside a beer garden features a bright mural by local artist Nysa Hicks Puig, a full bar, and a neon sign translating to “mono no aware” (“the pathos of things”), basically business in the front and party in the back. The bar offers an extensive sake collection, patrons can peer into the kitchen, and the tranquil dining room is open Wednesday through Sunday." - Erin Perkins