🟢 Great in Tokyo — Great experience you can enjoy in Tokyo.
Experience the fun of Hamayaki (indoor seafood BBQ) at Isomaru Suisan, a popular izakaya chain in Tokyo. Grill fresh scallops, rich crab miso, and juicy tuna skewers right at your table—an affordable and authentic Japanese dining experience.
Last updated: 2025-12-29
Introduction
Isomaru Suisan is an affordable and delicious seafood izakaya chain that you will surely encounter when walking the streets of Tokyo.
The biggest feature of this shop is the "Hamayaki style," where you grill seafood right on a stove at your table. The fun begins the moment you sit down. Surprisingly, the Otoshi (appetizer) here consists of Shishamo (smelt) and Kamaboko (fish cake) to grill yourself! This style feels much more gorgeous and exciting than the small cold dishes served at ordinary izakayas.
Once you start grilling your appetizers, you are ready to go. Just order your favorite seafood to add to the grill, and the Hamayaki party begins.
My Memory
For me, Isomaru Suisan holds a secure spot in my Tokyo life.
Whenever my friends and I are looking for a place to have a casual drink but want something more exciting than a standard pub, we find ourselves drawn to their bright signs. It is unpretentious, lively, and always reliable.
What to Try
King Crab Miso Shell Grill
You must taste the piping hot, rich crab miso (innards paste) bubbling right in the shell on the net. While they have regular crab miso, I strongly recommend ordering the "King" version without hesitation. The King version comes topped with crab meat, which adds a delightful texture and flavor to the rich miso. It pairs perfectly with Japanese sake.
Grilled Live Scallops
Place the live scallops directly onto the net. When the shell opens and the juices inside start to boil, drizzle just a little bit of soy sauce over it. You can enjoy the savory aroma along with the piping hot broth packed with scallop umami.
Tuna Negima Skewer
The rule of Hamayaki is that everyone should order and grill whatever they like, but personally, I can never skip the "Negima." Grilling the tuna melts its fat, making it surprisingly juicy and delicious.
💡 Did You Know?
The Origin of "Negima"
If you say "Negima" at a Yakitori restaurant in Japan today, it refers to skewers of chicken and green onion (*Negi*). However, the word actually originates from "Negi" and "Maguro" (Tuna).
In the Edo period, when tuna was cheap and abundant, a hot pot dish called "Negima Nabe," where tuna and green onions were simmered together, was a popular taste of the common people. Eating Tuna Negima here means you are tasting the dish in its original, historical form.
Tokyo or Trip?
🟢 Great in Tokyo — Great experience you can enjoy in Tokyo.
When you eat Hamayaki in port towns across Japan, the joy lies in tasting the fresh "local flavors" caught in that specific region.
On the other hand, Hamayaki at Isomaru Suisan in Tokyo is a place to enjoy "seafood gathered from all over the country." You can grill scallops from the north, crab, squid, and more all on one net. This variety—being able to mix and match seafood from different regions—is a luxury unique to Tokyo, the hub of Japan's logistics.
Explore Nearby
- Kaisendon in Togoshi-Ginza — All-Day Seafood Izakaya Comfort 🐟
- Kobore Sushi in Togoshi-Ginza — Overflow Gunkan Rolls 🍣
- Nichinan-Dori Oyakodon in Togoshi-Ginza — Refined Chicken & Egg Bowl 🥚
- Oden in Togoshi-Ginza — A Warm Taste of Everyday Japan 🍢
- Yakitori Tsukimi Tsukune in Togoshi-Ginza — Sweet Soy Glaze with Egg Yolk 🍡
Similar Dishes
- Hokkaido Crab & Seafood — King Crab, Transparent Squid, and Fresh Uni 🦀
- Toyama Crab Miso — Grilled Winter Luxury in a Shell 🦀
- Goma Saba in Fukuoka — Truly Raw Sesame Mackerel You Can’t Replicate Elsewhere 🐟
External Links
- Ama Hut Experience (JNTO) — The Cultural Roots of Hamayaki 🔗
- Seafood BBQ Guide (Visit Chiba) — How to Enjoy DIY Grilling 🔗
About "Taste of Japan"
Hello, I'm Yuta.
Born in landlocked Yamanashi and having lived in the gourmet city of Sendai for 10 years, I now call Togoshi-Ginza home. My frequent business trips across Japan allow me to constantly explore the diversity of regional flavors.
Why Togoshi-Ginza?
This street is Tokyo’s longest shopping arcade (about 1.3 km), but it holds a special history. It was the very first street in Japan to adopt the "Ginza" name—a tradition that later spread across the country—after receiving bricks from the famous Ginza district following the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake.
My Wish as a Local
I am not a culinary expert. However, as a Japanese local who knows both the convenience of Tokyo and the origins of regional food, I want to share the "atmosphere" and "personal feelings" that you won't find in standard guidebooks.
The Concept: "Tokyo or Trip?"
Visiting every region of Japan in a single trip is nearly impossible. Some food experiences are worth the travel to the source, while others offer a fully satisfying experience right here in Tokyo.
This blog is a guide to help you make that choice. Based in Togoshi-Ginza, I share my honest experiences and "my personal answer" to help you maximize your culinary journey in Japan.
- 🟠 Local-First: Best experienced in its home region. Worth a trip.
- 🟢 Great-in-Tokyo: A nationwide favorite or regional specialty that offers a fully satisfying, authentic experience right here in Tokyo.
- 🟣 Tokyo-Do-Must: A unique food culture born in or exclusive to Tokyo.