Kinjo's Izakaya

Tucked into Elgin Street's vibrant SoHo stretch, Kinjo's Izakaya has built a loyal following through consistency, honesty and the distinctly Okinawan character of its menu — a regional Japanese cuisine that brings influences from the Ryukyu Islands including distinct pork preparations, bitter melon dishes and warming sake pairings that set it apart from the mainland Japanese izakaya mainstream. The Japanese owner runs the floor personally, giving first-time visitors the same attentive greeting as regular customers. The lunch sets are well-priced and popular with office workers; evenings shift into a more leisurely izakaya format with sake and shochu by the glass. Reservations are recommended for both lunch and dinner, as the restaurant is small and typically fills early.