Sumizou

Grilling selected cuts over a tabletop charcoal grill and letting the smokiness cling to the meat is one of the distinct pleasures of unpretentious yakiniku. Located in Shinjuku's Tsukudo-Hachimancho, Sumizou sits in a calm neighborhood slightly removed from the buzz of Iidabashi and Kagurazaka, specializing in fresh offal cuts and varied grilled meats.

Charcoal-Grilled Offal and Red Meats

Highlights include the popular Horumon Mix and fresh, clean-flavored liver, where charcoal smoke amplifies the natural character of the offal. Standard red meat and rib cuts are equally well accounted for, including premium salted tongue, negi-negi tongue mounded with scallions, and thick-cut sagari skirt steak. Ordering is handled via a QR code on diners' smartphones, making it easy to pace additional rounds without waiting.

Drinks and Donabe Rice

The drink menu covers beer alongside shochu, highballs, and makgeolli, all suited to grilled meats. Kitchen dishes round out the meal, notably fresh rice steamed in an earthenware pot (donabe) and slow-cooked beef tendon stewed in miso.

A Relaxed Setting Across Multiple Levels

Spread across 2 floors, the dining room includes counter seating, sunken horigotatsu-style tatami spaces, and booths, accommodating solo diners and small groups alike. The atmosphere is casual yet composed; given its popularity, making a reservation in advance is recommended.