And I figured the takoyaki were frozen – octopus tends to “seize” and get really tough when it’s spent some time in the freezer.

Service is okay as long as you get their attention and booking over the phone helps too. Service also seems to be better in upstairs in the grill section. Platters for the grill are cheaper than other places for what you get which is the main reason for going to Izakaya Chuji. Value for money depending on what you order.

The sushi and sashimi that comes in combinations is pretty average or even bad but if you order nigiri sushi in pairs off from the ala carte menu it’s fresh and delicious.

Oh yeah, I asked a waiter about the octopus balls. He confirmed that they’re frozen.

Hey Piggy Eatalot – I’m glad that your most recent visit was a good one The shishamo are damn tasty, huh?!

Hiya Jess – I think they have certainly gone downhill in the lunch set. They used to do awesome traditional Japanese dishes, now they just do bento with too much deep fried goodness. Oh, what I would give for a nice piece of salted grilled fish, rice, tamago, miso and pickles. I often have to just make it myself

Although, I have never ordered the shishamo and that looks pretty well done.

I find that service in Japan is generally much better than here. They just have more of a service-oriented culture over there!

yeah, the sashimi can be hit and miss, and certainly cannot be compared to the quality of Shoya. we were lucky on the night we went that it was very good. however, there are definitely better items on the menu as befitting an izakaya. I love their clam in butter soup and their “tough” spare ribs slathered with BBQ sauce. they are extremely tough to chew but the sauce is oh so good – perfect drinking food.