Introduction
Hello, this is GOK from Daily Shinjuku.
Today, I stopped by “Nihon Saisei Sakaba Shinjuku 3-Chome”, a standing izakaya that evokes the nostalgia of Japan’s Showa era. Located near Shinjuku 3-Chome Station, it’s a perfect place to enjoy grilled offal, beer, and hearty small plates at the counter.
A Standing Izakaya with a Retro Showa Atmosphere
Nihon Saisei Sakaba Shinjuku 3-Chome is operated by Always Co., Ltd., the same company behind Gindako Sakaba and Oden-ya Takeshi.
The shop serves specialty motsuyaki (grilled offal skewers) made with fresh hormone directly shipped from Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture.
You’ll find it near Suehiro-dori, on the same street as Ramen Kurouzu and Epitaph Curry.
I visited around 7 p.m. on a weekend evening.
Inside the Shop and Menu
Stepping inside feels like time travel back to the Showa period.
There are about 35 standing seats, with oil drums and beer-crate tables lined up at the front.
Menu (selected items, tax included)
- Motsuyaki 5-Skewer Assortment – from ¥1,320
- Liver & Green Onion Skewer – ¥297
- Kiku Abura (Large-Intestine Fat) – ¥286
- Hormone Ball (with Green Pepper) – ¥418
- Beef Skewer – ¥693
- White Senmai Sashimi – ¥825
- Foie Liver – ¥825
- Tongue Sashimi – ¥825
- Motsu Nikomi (Stewed Offal) – ¥605
- Boiled Tongue – ¥660
- Homemade Potato Salad – ¥638
- Nankotsu Ponzu – ¥550
The drink list includes various highballs, shochu (barley, sweet potato, brown sugar, kombu-infused), and even nostalgic ramune soda.
What I Ordered
Kirin Bottle Beer – ¥803
The meal began with a Kirin bottled beer and a small appetizer of lightly pickled cabbage and cucumber.
Homemade Potato Salad – ¥638
Sprinkled with pepper and sesame, the potato salad looks bold but tastes mild. Bacon adds a nice accent.
Boiled Tongue – ¥660
Served simply with salt and a touch of wasabi.
The tenderness is remarkable—soft enough to cut with chopsticks and definitely worth ordering.
Motsuyaki 5-Skewer Assortment – from ¥1,320
The first three skewers—pork belly, heart, and tongue—come seasoned with salt.
The texture of the heart and tongue was excellent, while the juicy pork belly paired perfectly with mustard.
The remaining two skewers, shiro (large intestine) and kiku abura, are glazed with tare sauce.
The kiku abura, nicknamed “otoro hormone”, melts in your mouth and was delicious enough to order on its own.
Summary
Nihon Saisei Sakaba Shinjuku 3-Chome is a casual standing bar where you can drop by for one or two drinks or a satisfying quick meal.
Despite the lively crowd of groups, solo customers are also welcome—some enjoy a cigarette while quietly savoring their drinks.
If you love the Showa-era atmosphere and hearty motsu dishes, this is the spot to visit in Shinjuku 3-Chome.
Store Information
- Name: Nihon Saisei Sakaba Shinjuku 3-Chome
- Address: 3-7-3 Marunaka Building 1F, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0022
- Nearest Station: 1-min walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station (Exit C5, 97 m)
- Hours: 15:00–23:00
- Closed: Irregular
- Outlets: ✕ Wi-Fi: ✕ Smoking: ○
- Notes: Cards accepted / No e-money / QR payment available
- Tabelog Rating: 3.39 (as of July 2025)
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👉 https://daily-shinjuku.tokyo/2025/07/06/shinjuku3chome-saisei-sakaba/
