01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Once 5:00 p.m. passes, inviting lights flicker on along a back alley in Oi 1-chome, welcoming passersby to wander in. Nomikuiya Kappa is a counter-only standing bar well suited for evenings when you want a relaxed, casual drink. Drinks and snacks are paid for on the spot with loose change in a cash-on-delivery style, making it easy to settle in and drink at your own pace.
Scanning the menu reveals an extensive lineup of small drinking snacks, all priced at ¥300 a plate. From comforting home-style bites like macaroni salad, ham and eggs, and cocktail wieners to dashi-simmered edamame, seasoned egg with bamboo shoots, and rich cream cheese topped with salted fish entrails (shuto), every option pairs effortlessly with a drink. Starting light with ume-plum cucumber or sliced kamaboko fish cake with wasabi is just as appealing, offering the fun of tailoring a progression of small plates to your taste.
The signature draw that shouldn't be missed before heading out is their specialty spicy noodles, or karamen. Heat levels start from zero and can be adjusted upward, with first-time visitors permitted to select up to 50 times the base spice. Whether you love fiery spice or prefer to keep things mild, the broth delivers a deep savory richness that warms and comforts the stomach after drinking.
Grazing on two small plates over a cold beer and wrapping up with a warm bowl of karamen makes this an effortless, welcoming stop along the way.
