GIFT SHOKUDO

The Gift of Regional Japanese Food and Sake

At Gift Shokudo in Asagaya the concept is to provide a place where anyone can explore regional and seasonal nihonshu (Japanese sake), and Japanese food at reasonable prices. Whether you are a novice or an expert concerning nihonshu you will enjoy thoroughly. There are many interesting types of nihonshu from classic to modern and even newly emerging nihonshu starting from 380 yen. Of course there are many other choices of drinks as well, but here the specialty is sake from different regions of Japan. Basically there are 3 general categories of nihonshu: dry, sweet (amakuchi), spicy (karakuchi).

The food menu varies seasonally and includes fish, chicken, pork, tofu, noodles, rice, vegetables and oden. Most dishes are smaller size in order to provide a variety of taste and appropriately priced. A Gift Shokudo specialty is their “Western Oden”. Oden is various meats and vegetables stewed in a Japanese broth, however in this rare case the usual oden items are combined with western influences, such as pork with sukiyaki and onion sauce, daikon (Japanese radish) with porcini mushroom sauce, and marinated boiled egg in mushroom demi-glaze sauce. The nihonshu compliments the savory flavor of each dish nicely. Another great pairing is the Grilled Mirin Saba (Japanese Mackerel) with Takijiman Nihonshu (or any other staff recommended sake, just ask for their osusume (recommendation), “o-su-su-may”). Please note you will also be served otoshi, a small hors d’oeuvre like dish that is automatically given to all customers and selected by the chef daily. There is a small fee for this in Japanese restaurants usually 200-500 yen and sometimes more. Here it’s only 200 yen! (it will show as オトウシ on your receipt). Otoshi allows you to try various things you may have never tried before, like konnyaku, a jelly made from a type of potato. For food items and a few drinks you could spend about 2,500 yen per person, which is definitely worth it for the quality! With a lack of English available, please ask for the English menu or review the PDF on this page by clicking the round English Menu logo.

When you approach Gift Shokudo after a brief walk through Asagaya Pearl Center shopping street, you’ll find a stylish modern and warm environment with a nod to traditional Japanese design without being pretentious. You will be greeted by the friendly staff as they work in the kitchen, which is positioned in the center surrounded by a lengthy counter. The atmosphere lends itself to impromptu socializing with the staff as well as strangers. The atmosphere is quieter than some izakaya but after a few drinks it’s certainly not stuffy, so relax and be yourself and follow the mood of the night.

ACCESS

[updated December 2018]