01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
When an evening calls for expertly handled fresh seafood, Wakana in Itabashi offers a dependable lineup. The selection shifts with the day's catch, spanning three- and five-piece sashimi platters as well as prized varieties like kinmedai (splendid alfonsino), Seki aji (horse mackerel), and nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch). Ordering an assortment makes an easy opening move, complemented by seasonal small plates like fresh sea urchin, oysters in the shell, or warm firefly squid to accompany a first drink.
The simmered dishes are equally robust, featuring rich, slow-cooked preparations of fish such as nodoguro, kinki rockfish, kinmedai, and kuromutsu (gnomefish). For something lighter, cutlassfish braised with sour plum, dashi-steamed local hard clams, or a quick simmer of mizuna greens and fried tofu offer refreshing counterpoints. The kitchen also ventures beyond seafood, turning out hearty plates like Japanese Black beef imoni stew, an omelette packed with crab, and oysters sautéed in butter with crinkled chijimi spinach.
Drink options include draft beer, highballs, and fruit sours alongside a curated selection of wine and sake. Savory bites such as raw karasumi (cured mullet roe), dried spicy cod roe, and smoked daikon with cheese make natural partners for an evening drink, while rice balls and ochazuke dashi bowls with your choice of filling provide a comforting finish.
With both counter and table seating, the compact dining room maintains an easygoing, unpretentious feel. Evening service runs from 17:00 until 0:00, and as seats are limited, booking ahead is recommended.
