The restaurant I would like to recommend this time is my favorite, "Motsuyaki Ucchan," which I always take everyone I meet to. Of course, the best thing about it is the delicious motsu. Not only that, but even if you're not a regular customer, you can casually enter the restaurant, and you can enjoy motsu and alcohol side by side with your companion and other customers you don't know, which is something you can't experience anywhere else.
To be honest, I only want to tell people I know about this restaurant, but it's so popular that people are already lining up to get in. There's not much point in hiding it, so I decided to introduce it in this column.
The journey to the restaurant is also enjoyable, so let's start off on the journey to Motsuyaki Ucchan.
The road to Ucchan's grilled offal
A five minute walk from the west exit of Shinjuku Station, there is a narrow and lively street behind one of the roads you usually walk on. It is called "Omoide Yokocho".
The street had a somewhat mysterious and unique atmosphere, making it intimidating to enter for the first time, and it was an area I had never stepped into before.
However, once you enter, you will be captivated by the charm of the streets and shops.
As soon as you step inside, you'll find a row of shops that retain the atmosphere of the Showa era.
We push our way through the crowds of people passing by, lined up in a cramped space with red lanterns of various colors.
No matter where you look, each shop has its own unique structure and atmosphere, and is always bustling with people.
Many of the shops have no doors or walls facing the aisles, and customers have become accustomed to the open atmosphere reminiscent of Asian food stalls.
Among them, one restaurant stands out in particular: Motsuyaki Ucchan.
As far as I know, there is always a line at Motsuya Ucchan, and it has the longest line at Omoide Yokocho.
The author was also excited and waiting in line.
There's a reason why people queue up. Here's why.
Exquisite items
The food is delicious. (Even now as I write this article, my mouth is watering just thinking about it...) All the menu items are delicious, from the motsu sashimi and motsu yaki to the potato salad. The signature skewers written in black at the back of the kitchen turn red when the ingredients run out, so I have to order the skewer I want before it runs out... I feel excited as soon as I sit down.
I would like to introduce some of the dishes I always order when I visit the restaurant and some recommended dishes.
Stewed offal
It is thoroughly cooked and the broth is thick and delicious.
It is topped with a generous amount of green onions, and personally I think the stewed offal at Motsuyaki Ucchan is the most delicious I have ever eaten.
Macaroni salad
At first glance, it looks like the kind of macaroni salad you'd find at any izakaya, but I'd recommend you try it once.
The saltiness and rich flavor go well with alcohol. It's so addictively delicious that it sells out quickly.
Assortment of three kinds
You can't talk about "Motsuyaki Ucchan" without mentioning this. A great value dish that includes tongue sashimi, pork belly sashimi, and phallus sashimi. It goes perfectly with sesame oil.
By the way, my recommendation is to mix the sesame oil and green onions first.
My chopsticks are shaking as I mix it frantically, but this is the result of my search for an easy way to eat the onions and offal together.
Carcass
The flavor of the crispy charred meat and the crunchy texture are irresistible.
Gun
The flesh is large and tender, and the slightly unusual flavor means you may find yourself asking for seconds before you know it.
artery
It has a firm texture but is also rich in fat, so if you've never tried it, it's a dish you should definitely try at least once at Ucchan.
Blends
When I heard it was made from pig brains, I was put off at first, but when I tried it, I was enthralled by the texture, which was just like that of pig milt. The melting softness and the excellent compatibility with the butter and pepper on top were so good that I couldn't help but smile the moment I put it in my mouth.
Apparently the brenne is a signature dish, and it sells out quickly, so unfortunately I wasn't able to eat it during this interview... If you want to eat it, you need to go early, so be careful. (This is a picture from when I went there before.)
Drinks: Lemon sour
By the way, I usually drink beer, but even if you drink beer, I recommend switching to lemon sour from the second drink onwards. Personally, I think the lemon sour goes really well with grilled offal here.
A sour drink is the best for salty skewers! The lemon chunks in the skewers give them a fresh, sour taste that really whets the appetite. Looking around the counter, I see many customers ordering lemon sours, so I guess everyone is thinking the same thing.
Bonus: Red pickled ginger miso
These are the condiments that come with the skewers. But don't be fooled; this is an addictive taste.
This magical seasoning, with a strong hint of ginger, goes well with any skewer. It's so delicious that when you're full, you might just snack on this while drinking at the end of the meal.
"Motsuyaki Ucchan" does not just have "delicious menu items." It has everything on the menu, from grilled dishes to a la carte dishes and alcoholic drinks.
It's no exaggeration to say that whatever you order, everything is a hit. You can enjoy the freshly grilled skewers with a light sour drink, or you can enjoy the strong flavor of the skewers with a strong shochu and plenty of pickled ginger miso. The best way to enjoy a good time at Ucchan is to enjoy the food and drinks in the way you like.
A sense of security buried in comfortable chaos
The counter was packed with mugs and food, and the customers next to me were shoulder-to-shoulder with each other. This time, we were seated on a corner, so there wasn't much space. Meanwhile, the skewers we ordered were being served swiftly in the order they were cooked. We had to decide whether to finish them quickly or take our time to savor the taste, and we had to think about the positioning of our plates as we ate.
In most restaurants, a small restaurant might be a disadvantage. However, at Motsuyaki Ucchan, I think it is an advantage. Customers sit close to each other at the counter, yielding space to each other. When a seat becomes available, everyone follows the directions of the staff and squeezes into a seat. Perhaps because of this sense of distance, conversations sometimes naturally start with customers they don't know.
The lively shouts of the staff are reminiscent of the bustle of the Showa era downtown. In the restaurant, which only has a counter surrounding the kitchen, the staff can see all the customers, and conversely, all the customers can see the staff and all the other customers. It's a lively atmosphere that gives the illusion of a large group party.
Even though it's crowded and very busy every day, the staff are cheerful and friendly. Although many customers come every day and they don't seem to have time to talk to customers, they remember their faces well and are often seen saying "Thank you for always coming!" when customers leave. (Just between you and me, I hope that one day they will remember me too...)
In today's world, where people are said to be losing touch with each other, there is something special about drinking alcohol in this chaotic atmosphere, interacting with strangers and sharing with them.
And that is the main reason why I would like to recommend "Motsuyaki Ucchan" in Shinjuku.
If you have never been to Omoide Yokocho, or if you are feeling lonely, why not try "Motsuyaki Ucchan" and spend some comfortable time surrounded by vestiges of the Showa era, the charming streets, and the hustle and bustle?
Motsuyaki Ucchan Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho Branch
Honami Building, 1-2-7 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
TEL 03-5909-5890
https://kiwa-group.co.jp/uttyan_shinjuku/
Opening times
16:00 – 23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
Closed: Irregular holidays
*Because it is a popular store, it is possible that items will sell out before closing time on Sundays or the final days of holidays, so we recommend going early.
Also, opening times may change at the beginning of the week depending on market conditions.
By the way···
It seems that Ucchan opened a store in Dogenzaka, Shibuya this spring.
Wow! Apparently, they have skewers of deer, lamb, boar, and bear that are only available at the Shibuya store.
Moreover, since this is a menu item that is subject to availability, it may not always be available, so if you are able to eat it, it will be an especially happy occasion.
I never dreamed that I would be able to eat game meat so easily with that Ucchan.
I'm planning on going there soon.
Motsuyaki Ucchan Shibuya Dogenzaka branch
https://kiwa-group.co.jp/uttyan_shibuya/
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