Sekando

Savory, sizzling pork fat meets the crisp freshness of vegetables on Sekando's signature skewers. Found on the 4th floor of an Udagawacho building in Shibuya, the izakaya invites diners to begin by exploring this skewer selection. Highlights range from refreshing wrapped lettuce with its crisp bite to asparagus, scallion, and nagaimo yam with perilla, letting guests order piece by piece to suit their mood. Playful variations—such as sukiyaki skewers coated in sweet-savory sauce with an egg yolk, or a cheese fondue pot designed for dipping skewers—add an extra layer of indulgence.

From skewers to hot pot: a versatile lineup for drinks

Between rounds of skewers, the table fills with inventive small plates. Dishes include a Mont Blanc-styled potato salad that hides a soft-boiled egg within, alongside crisp-fried octopus and light tempura. When cooler weather calls for warmth, diners often turn to the beef motsunabe or spicy mentaiko motsunabe hot pots, featuring domestic Japanese beef offal. The drinks menu complements the food with chilled draft beer, highballs, and sours, as well as curated sakes, an extensive plum wine lineup, and wines by the glass or bottle.

Clean wood accents define the calm, modern Japanese dining room, which accommodates solo visits at the counter as well as private rooms suited to group meals. Though situated in the middle of a bustling entertainment district, it offers a relaxed setting for unhurried conversation after work or over an evening out with friends. Dinner seats fill quickly, making reservations advisable before settling in for a comfortable night over hot pots and skewers.