Ryuen

In the north-exit area of Otsuka Station, Ryuen serves charcoal-grilled yakiniku in a relaxed, old-school setting. Once the charcoal grill is brought to the table, diners can take their time cooking the meat themselves—a simple pleasure of an unpretentious neighbourhood yakiniku restaurant.

For a lunchtime stop, the set meals are a practical choice. The tender, flavoursome harami set and the classic kalbi set come with rice, soup, salad and side dishes such as kimchi, making for a filling meal. There are also hormone and liver sets, as well as a kalbi udon set that pairs noodles with rice, so diners can choose according to their appetite.

In the evening, try a selection of cuts such as premium salted tongue and premium kalbi, or mix beef, pork and chicken. The side dishes and soups offer plenty of variety, too: there’s aromatic stone-pot bibimbap, piping-hot kalbi gukbap and spicy daegu-tang soup made with cod, among other options to enjoy between rounds of grilled meat.

Ryuen serves lunch and dinner, with dinner continuing until 24:00. That makes it a useful option for a late meal after work or a leisurely evening out.