Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on September 2010

The newest entry in the crowded Shimbashi izakaya scene is Umanami-ya (2-9-17 Shimbashi, Minato-ku; http://r.gnavi.co.jp/e620714), which specializes in horsemeat from Aomori. Also highlighting the menu are dishes made with the renowned breed of chicken known as Shamrock. Raw fare includes a horseflesh sampler (¥1,800), yukhoe-style horse heart (¥700), sliced chicken breast carpaccio (¥880) and “sushi-style” Shamrock (¥980). If those are too bold for your taste, try the Utamaro Nabe (¥980), a hotpot of horsemeat cooked shabu-shabu-style, or the platter of various chicken cuts grilled on a tabletop brazier (¥2,400). Other interesting dishes include skewers of tebasaki (chicken wings; ¥450), deep-fried potato fritters with dried plum (¥550) and deep-fried garlic bulbs with miso (¥500). The wide-ranging drinks list features Mutsu Hassen sake from Aomori (from ¥499), plus a variety of shochu and umeshu.