01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Located in Ryoke 3-chome, Kawaguchi, Sumi is a snug izakaya where counter and table seating sit under the warm watch of its affable proprietress. Even first-time visitors tend to settle in quickly, making it an easy spot for a quiet drink and conversation at the end of the day.
Despite the modest dining room, the menu features a wide variety of casual small plates. Affordable starters include izakaya staples like shirasu oroshi (grated daikon radish with baby sardines), miso-kyu (cucumber spears with savory miso), and simmered offal, so deciding on an opening order is never difficult. Those looking for something heartier can turn to slow-simmered beef sinew, tuna yukhoe, fragrant salt-grilled saury or mackerel, and freshly fried horse mackerel.
Drink offerings cover draft beer and various spirits alongside unsweetened Uji matcha highballs blended with Takara shochu. A grilled rice ball makes for a satisfying finish, letting the tavern cater just as comfortably to casual snacking over drinks as it does to a full evening meal.
Business hours run from 17:00 to 23:00, with Tuesdays off. The shop accommodates advance reservations and takes PayPay alongside dine-in service, making it a handy neighborhood retreat for winding down an evening.
