Okan

For a substantial meal of warm rice and a main dish, day or night, おかん is a dependable option in Shinden, Ichikawa. The calm interior makes it easy to settle in, whether eating alone or stopping by for a drink after work.

Juicy hamburg steak and fragrant grilled fish

Hearty set meals are the mainstay of the menu. The juicy beef hamburg steak, packed with meat juices, is enjoyed with soy sauce or ponzu, allowing diners to season it to their taste and keep the flavours bright. Meat set meals are made to go well with rice, from fragrant grilled kalbi with spring onion and salt to a steak of young chicken thigh produced in Japan, which diners cut into portions with scissors at the table.

The range of fish dishes is another highlight. There is plenty to savour, including rich, fatty salted-grilled mackerel and mackerel simmered in miso, generous portions of fatty salmon belly, and thick cuts of black cod grilled with saikyo miso.

Small plates and notable drinks from around Japan

In the evening, small plates made for pairing with drinks bring extra variety to the table. The selection includes fragrant grilled stingray fin, fried octopus, gyoza flavoured with island chilli, and thick fried tofu topped with natto: simple, well-chosen snacks. Drinks include full-bodied sweet-potato shochu such as 赤兎馬 and 蔵の師魂, which is stored in a traditional jar, as well as seasonal local sake. They make an easy match for a leisurely drink with food.

Whether stopping for lunch or looking for a hearty set meal at the end of the day, おかん offers a reassuringly warm meal.