Keyaki

Set quietly within the residential streets of Takamatsu, Nerima, Keyaki is an unpretentious restaurant devoted to classic Japanese yoshoku. At lunchtime, the menu features everyday staples such as daily lunch specials, hamburg steak, and ginger-glazed pork loin. Meals arrive with a starter salad alongside homemade nukazuke pickles and hot miso soup, grounded touches that lend a reassuring home-cooked feel to the Western-style trays. Small desserts alongside coffee or tea follow the meal, inviting diners to linger comfortably.

A favourite among regular lunch patrons, the Napolitan pasta stands out for its mellow tomato cream profile. The rotating deep-fried dish of the day occasionally features crisp, panko-crusted horse mackerel served with house-made mustard. Come evening, the offerings expand into comforting fare well suited to a glass of red wine, including gentle chicken gratin, baked doria, and tender braised beef tongue.

Seating includes a relaxed terrace out front, while the interior is run by a warm husband-and-wife duo who keep the mood calm and welcoming. Free parking is available on site. Note that the restaurant accepts cash only, so it is best to prepare payment beforehand.