Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on November 2011

In the run up to Nabe Day on November 7, the Sugamo area, aka “Grannies’ Harajuku,” is the place to find a life-lengthening hot-pot dish. Chinya (2-3-2 Sugamo, Toshima-ku; Tabelog entry) specializes in mizutaki nabe from Hakata. Its rich-yet-light chicken broth with yuzu kosho and scallion garnish comes with handmade chicken meatballs, cabbage and their tangy ponzu dipping sauce, plus chicken rice—all included in the lunch set for ¥1,600. For dinner (¥2,800), your hot pot comes with Kyushu specialties such as basashi and tofu with mentaiko (spiced pollock roe), and noodles or rice porridge. The best bargain is, however, on temple days (4th, 14th, 24th), when a bountiful special set is just ¥2,525.