An elegant Japanese experience woven from sake and dashi (Japanese soup stock)

Nestled in the quiet streets of Azabujuban, “Azabujuban Sugino” is a Japanese restaurant with deep ties to sake breweries across Japan, offering a wide selection of rare sake you can hardly find anywhere else. The owner personally visits these breweries and builds trust through careful, ongoing communication, so guests can look forward to discovering new, hard-to-find labels every time they visit.At the heart of the cuisine is the restaurant’s dashi (Japanese soup stock), which has been evolving for more than 20 years since its opening. This clear, umami-rich house dashi forms the base for a variety of dishes such as pork shabu-shabu (thinly sliced pork hot pot) and oden (Japanese one-pot dish), all of which highlight the depth of Japanese flavors. In the calm, relaxed atmosphere, you can take your time and fully immerse yourself in the harmony of sake and dashi.

A long-time signature favorite is the “Aji Pork Shabu-Shabu Course” (¥6,600, tax included), where you can fully enjoy pork shabu-shabu made with the restaurant’s special oden dashi (Japanese soup stock used for oden). Aji pork has a mellow yet refreshing taste, with flavorful meat and fat that never feels heavy. The original “Pon-tsuyu” dipping sauce, created especially for pork shabu-shabu, is also popular, perfectly balancing a clean acidity with a deep, rounded richness. Paired with sake, it offers an even more complex and satisfying experience.The course lineup focuses on dishes that showcase the deliciousness of dashi, from classic oden (Japanese one-pot dish) to carefully crafted seasonal specialties. Enjoying different sake pairings tailored to each dish is highly recommended.

When you visit, you also shouldn’t miss the restaurant’s other signature, the assorted oden (Japanese one-pot dish), priced from ¥300 (tax included). From classics like daikon radish and eggs to original creations such as shumai dumplings and deep-fried lotus-root sandwiches, you can enjoy a wide variety at reasonable prices.There is also a rich selection of delicate dishes that bring out the best in sake, ranging from otsukuri (sashimi platter) and fried items to skirt steak. Small side dishes and grilled dishes made with seasonal ingredients are carefully prepared to highlight the natural flavors of each component. With a full lineup of classic bar snacks and à-la-carte options, the menu works equally well whether you just want a light drink or a proper meal.

Conveniently accessible from Roppongi, a lively area popular with overseas visitors, “Azabujuban Sugino” sits in the more tranquil Azabujuban neighborhood. Inside, a warm, modern-Japanese interior creates a relaxing atmosphere where time seems to flow more slowly. At the counter surrounding the large oden (Japanese one-pot dish) pot, the owner shares stories and thoughts about the sake and the food, allowing you to savor both the flavors and the culture of sake. These seats are especially popular with guests seeking new encounters with different kinds of sake.The spacious table seating is ideal for special occasions and suits a wide range of situations. For devoted sake lovers and for anyone who wants to explore the depth of dashi (Japanese soup stock), an essential element of Japanese cuisine, this restaurant promises an unforgettable dining experience.