01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Once seated, a natural opening choice is the iga menchi, a Hachinohe specialty of minced squid patties fried fresh to order. The exterior comes out pleasantly crisp and fragrant, giving way to a tender, melty interior that can be enjoyed plain or seasoned to taste alongside a drink. Large charcoal-grilled mackerel skewers can be ordered individually, with diner feedback praising the succulent, tender flesh.
At Hara Takumi in Sugamo, diners can explore the food traditions of Aomori's Hachinohe region without leaving Tokyo. The menu features Hachinohe senbei-jiru—a regional hot soup enriched with wheat crackers that takes a little extra time to simmer—alongside dishes like kakke konabe (buckwheat pasta hot pot) and Towada bara-yaki (beef belly stir-fry). The drinks lineup is equally regional, highlighted by Aomori sake brands like Mutsu Hassen and Otokoyama, as well as apple vinegar sours and highballs mixed with local favorite Mishima Cider.
Seating includes counter stools, standard tables, and sunken or raised tatami seating where guests can stretch their legs, accommodating quiet solo evenings as well as casual group gatherings. The shop closes on Wednesdays and operates from 17:00 to 22:00 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. Seats can fill up quickly right from opening time, making advance reservations a sensible idea.
