Torihei Yakitori

Torihei is a strip mall izakaya with long lines and fantastic skewers. Make a reservation if you can, otherwise, they hold some tables for the line of walk-ins. When you do eventually sit down, pick something from the long and affordable list of sake and soju, and then order the karaage and xiao long bao oden (Chinese-style shrimp dumplings in Japanese hot pot) to start. The robata choices are all excellent—they'll expertly grill up just about any chicken part you can imagine—but make sure your order includes the butter scallops and wasabi beef tongue, too.