Korisu

Korisu’s weathered red-brick facade, wooden shutters and memorabilia-saturated space feel like they’re plucked straight out of a storybook. The yoshoku restaurant, along Matsubara-dori, is run by a mother and her two daughters, who whip up big-portioned, home-cooked fares from recipes passed down through generations. In the morning, the chef writes daily recommendations of comforting Western-style dishes on the chalkboard. The menu can be a lot to take in, but conjure images of Western cuisine imaginable, and Korisu will have what’s beyond. There’s the New York-style clubhouse sandwich, Italian-inspired horse mackerel carpaccio enlivened with strawberry and grapefruit, macaroni au gratin and roasted lamb loins. Before that, appetizers of freshly baked baguettes with tomato and black olive paste and Mexican salad are a welcome spread meant to be shared. You’ll want the signature hamburger steak smothered in demi glaze sauce to yourself, but trust your intuition and opt for the higher route: order a bit of everything with your friends. Service at Korisu is solicitous, akin to a comforting embrace from your favorite family member, and scoring a reservation here is reason enough to celebrate. Korisu is a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in 2024.