Motsu Stew Izakaya in Shinjuku Sanchome!

The name of the restaurant is Numada.

Go up the stairs to the second floor. The cozy restaurant is extremely popular and filled with customers!

The high tables are quite narrow. It adds to the coziness of the atmosphere.

As we sit at the table and order some drinks, the hors d’oeuvre arrives. Pickled cucumber and cabbage.

This simple dish is delicious. I almost want to ask for another serving! It’s the perfect accompaniment for beer.

Now, time to order the usual!
Let’s start with potato salad.

I have to say, the potato salad here is the best I’ve had in my life.

It’s excellent together with the chili oil on the side.

Next is, Nikuzume Maitake, meat filled maitake mushrooms.

The thick maitake is filled with minced meat with bits of gristle. It’s fresh off the grill!

Make sure to take small bites so you don’t burn yourself!

This popular menu runs out fast so best to order it early.

It’s really delicious! You can’t get this taste anywhere else.

Another popular menu is the Rebateki, liver steak.

It’s topped with lots of chopped up negi leek seasoned with sesame oil.
The boiled liver is still slightly red on the inside, which is nice and soft. Again, a perfect little dish with some beer or sake!

I noticed that most of the customers ordered this Rebateki.

I know some people avoid dishes with negi because of the lingering strong smell. But when you’re here, don’t worry about it and just enjoy the tastiness of it!

And of course, not to forget the famous Motsu Nikomi, stewed offal.
Choose your flavor from salt, soy sauce, miso or garlic salt. My recommendation is definitely miso!!

The motsu (offal) is cooked until it’s nice and tender. I love the chewy texture!
It is seasoned pretty intensely, so I’m sure you can still enjoy it even if you’re not a fan of the offal smell.

The Kushiyaki are here too.

My favorite skewers are the juicy hatsu (heart), kashira (head) and tsukune (chicken meatball).

I always order some raw green pepper to eat with the tsukune.

The best way to eat it is like this. You break the tsukune on the green pepper.

The bitter green pepper flavor and texture of minced meatball with gristle bits make a perfect combination.

I was trying to mash up the tsukune but rolled off my plate and landed on the floor…

The kind staff saw me “playing around with my food” and brought me another piece!

Such a thoughtful gesture!

What I really like about this restaurant is that the staff are so laid-back and kind. They joke around with the customers and make sure we are having a fun time

My last dish is Yudetan (boiled beef tongue).

It’s quite heavily seasoned so a bit of wasabi is enough.

So soooft!
It was my first time ordering it but I’m glad I did. It’s really tasty.

Thank you Numada, for the good time as always.

I highly recommend this little izakaya if you are a small group looking to eat in the Shinjuku Sanchome area!

writer：Tanna♡