Shunsai Chuka Bar Mitsukan

This Chinese-style izakaya, located in “Ura-Yagi” (Yagi backstreets), heaves night after night with a mix of local crowds and Michelin-ticking gourmets even on weekdays, so don’t come in expecting the typical drink-till-you-drop watering hole for an easy boozy evening. This is the place for folks who appreciate good sake and even better food. Being an expert in Sichuan cuisine, the chef doesn’t pull any punches on his cooking. Loyal clientele drops by for their fix of mapo tofu, which comes steaming and glossy, fried chicken tossed in sweet and sour sauce, and stir-fried scallops and water spinach. Elsewhere, there’s a selection of shumai made with brand-name pork from Gojo, Kasa soba noodles from Sakurai City and assured dim sum classics like har gao and xiao long bao. Emphasis on the alcohol menu is put on local Nara sake and shochu. But sake lover or not, ordering it is almost mandatory. Prices are Bib Gourmand-approved — in other words, affordable — and reservations are highly recommended. Michelin Guide accolades: 2024 - Bib Gourmand