Chikumo

The Iberico pork and spring onion shabu-shabu is a natural centrepiece for a meal at Chikumo. The menu describes it as a light-tasting dish made with a Japanese-style bonito and kombu broth and the finest Real Bellota Iberico pork; diners can choose pork belly or shoulder loin. One guest who ordered the hot pot recalled enjoying thinly sliced spring onion with both cuts, noting how well the onion went with the pork’s sweet fat. Rice porridge or ramen can be added at the end, making it easy to linger over the same pot through the final course.

For a meal built around sashimi and smaller plates, there are plenty of choices, too. A diner who ordered a sashimi assortment remarked on the generous thickness of the slices and the appealing presentation. The menu lists assortments of 3 or 5 kinds, in portions for two or three, as well as individual items such as swordtip squid and medium-fatty tuna. Choose a platter to suit the group, or add a particular favourite to the table.

For something warm alongside the hot pot or sashimi, consider the rolled omelette with Eee Tamago eggs, listed as limited to 1 per day, or a seasonal pizza. Japanese sake, beer, shochu and wine are available to accompany the meal. To finish on a lighter note, there are desserts including vanilla ice cream, seasonal sherbet and sesame dumplings.

This izakaya suits both a dinner around a shared hot pot and a gathering over sashimi and small plates, and reservations are available. One diner has mentioned being able to smoke at the table, so anyone concerned about smoke may wish to check when booking.