"Nomonomo comes from the same team as Ramen Wasabi, just around the corner. And this dark, intimate izakaya means they can add “binchotan grilling” to their resume skills column. While larger dishes like okonomiyaki or soba noodles are solid, focus mainly on the skewers. Beef tongue with fragrant scallion sauce, chicken meatballs with ume, salted pork belly—they’re all great. They pair especially well with some sake or a crisp Asahi, whether you’re having a solo meal at the bar or with friends at a table." - adrian kane, john ringor, veda kilaru