Kabocha

Freshly pan-fried with a fragrant, golden crust, jeon is one of the first dishes worth ordering here. Beyond classic seafood jeon, the kitchen turns out varieties like plump oysters paired with Chinese chives, as well as kabocha squash pancakes echoing the restaurant's name. Fried without feeling heavy, they make an easy partner for drinks and pair naturally with other shared plates across the table.

Alongside the warm dishes, the house-made kimchi stands out for its crisp, fresh-cured texture. Lightly pickled so the vegetables retain their crunch, it balances chili heat with natural sweetness and deep savory depth. In addition to napa cabbage, the selection includes green onion and cucumber varieties, making for a refreshing accompaniment while sipping beer or makgeolli.

From Sweet-Spicy Chicken to Hearty Stews

For something more substantial, the yangnyeom chicken coats crisp fried chicken in a spicy-sweet sauce with rich, lingering seasoning that pairs readily with rice or drinks. The menu also features samgyeopsal grilled on an iron plate, slow-simmered gamjatang loaded with pork backbone and potatoes, and budae jjigae brimming with various ingredients to warm you through.

Located in Shinozaki-machi, Edogawa Ward, Kabocha opens in the evening from 17:00, offering a relaxed setting for a leisurely dinner or late-night drinks. It accommodates solo diners dropping in for jjigae or kimbap as easily as groups sharing large hot pots and pancakes. Because seats fill up quickly, booking in advance is wise. A selection of prepared side dishes, pancakes, and fried chicken is also available for takeout, making it simple to enjoy the restaurant's cooking at home.