Ganbari

Set along a street in Saiin, Ganbari wraps its counter seating around a central open kitchen, creating a relaxed, time-honored setting where guests can enjoy freshly fried kushikatsu and fragrant grilled skewers side by side. Settling into the counter with its preserved Showa-era charm, sipping a drink while waiting for the next skewer to emerge feels delightfully warm and nostalgic.

Airy-Battered Kushikatsu and Freshly Grilled Skewers

For first-time visitors, an assorted set makes for an easy and satisfying start. The deep-fried kushikatsu skewers are coated in a distinctive batter that is remarkably airy and light, wrapped around generous portions of each ingredient. Diners can switch between sweet sauce, pungent spicy sauce, or a simple touch of salt, pairing the skewers with crisp sweet cabbage and a draft beer that goes down effortlessly. Meanwhile, the grilled skewers are cooked with precise heat to coax out natural savoriness, delivered piping hot right in front of you as soon as each one is ready.

An Expansive Menu from Seafood to Farm Vegetables

The menu features a wide spectrum of tastes, from plump salt-grilled ayu sweetfish to wild shrimp, scallops, and snow crab claws. Skewered vegetables also showcase thoughtful regional sourcing, including Awaji Island onions, Tokushima lotus root, and deep-fried Amera tomatoes. Playful sides like "Mocchino"—a combination of mochi rice cake, melted cheese, and nori seaweed—alongside homemade potato salad give diners plenty of room to assemble their own ideal progression.

With the warm, friendly proprietor working just across the counter, this is an easy place to drop into for a solo dinner or a hearty evening drink.