Furuken, Nishi Azabu ふるけん西麻布

Furuken is my ideal of the sophisticated yet intimate and casual Tokyo izakaya. Located in a street just behind Roppongi Dori (a world away, actually), it is a modestly sized establishment with a range of "washoku" dishes that reflect some European influence.

I don't know if I was particularly sensitive on the evening I visited there, but the fragrances from each dish seemed to be so strong and amazing - really much more noticeable than usual, and a sure indication of extremely fresh ingredients and skilful cooking.

Well worth a visit!

Interesting lids for the lacquer bowls

Fragrant mushroom soup (delicious). This was made in a "suri-nagashi" style.

Sashimi of "buri" (yellowtail) and "hirame" (flounder) accompanied by soy sauce, natto sauce, sour plum sauce and Japanese mustard.

This is their signature "chee-mushi" made with three kinds of cheese, abalone and white fish. Amazing!

Stewed octopus with gobo (a root vegetable) leaves. The octopus was tender as can be, but not in that stale mushy way it can sometimes get. Perfect.

Grilled "medai" (sea bream) - lovely sweet flesh

Tempura yellowtail in anakake dashi - great contrast of textures here

Daikon, "shungiku" (a Japanese herb) and fish chawan

Rice and crab ("kana" (crab) kamameshi (rice cooked in stoneware) to finish - excellent!

Strong, red miso soup (aka dashi)

A cassis and strawberry sorbet to freshen the palate

http://furu-ken.com/
Tel: 03-3409-2606