Koraku

With a chilled bottle of beer at hand and the aroma of meat slowly cooking over the grill, the relaxed pleasure of old-school neighbourhood yakiniku begins to unfold. In Minami, Wako, Saitama Prefecture, Kōraku is a yakiniku restaurant long appreciated for its unpretentious character and warm hospitality.

Tongue is a good place to start: even the standard serving is satisfyingly thick and flavourful, with juiciness that comes through as you chew. Harami, or skirt, stands out for its pronounced meatiness. Grill it with a generous coating of rich sauce and you have a fragrant combination that pairs naturally with a bowl of white rice.

Alongside familiar cuts such as kalbi and offal, there are options including white senmai sashimi, carefully cleaned to keep strong flavours at bay, and liver with a springy texture. Enjoy the meal at your own pace, taking turns at the grill and breaking things up with kimchi or namul.

Open mainly in the evening, Kōraku offers a satisfying, easygoing yakiniku dinner in a space with a nostalgic feel.