Intro
Hello, I’m GOK, editor of the Shinjuku-based local media site Daily Shinjuku.
This time, I ventured from Shinjuku to Iidabashi to visit Matsuri Sakaba Iidabashi East Exit Ekimae, a community-focused Japanese izakaya known for its relaxed atmosphere, private rooms, and crowd-pleasing menu—making it a strong option for year-end and New Year parties.
A Community-Focused Japanese Izakaya Near Iidabashi Station
Matsuri Sakaba Iidabashi East Exit Ekimae is a locally oriented Japanese izakaya operated by DK Dining.
Designed for casual drinking and group gatherings, the restaurant can accommodate banquets of up to 46 people and also offers fully private rooms.
It is located along Hōsei-dōri, just a one-minute walk from Iidabashi Station.
I visited for the first time on a weekday evening around 8:00 p.m.
Interior and Menu Overview
The interior features lanterns inspired by traditional Japanese festivals, paired with warm wooden tones that create a calm, welcoming atmosphere.
The restaurant offers 187 seats in total, including counter seating, table seating, and fully private rooms.
The crowd mainly consisted of office workers from the surrounding Iidabashi area.
Selected Menu Items
- Grilled Beef Tongue
- Salmon Namero
- Chicken Cutlet
- Edamame
- Fried Gizzard Silver Skin
- Smashed Cucumber with Pickled Plum
- Thick-Cut Ham Cutlet
- Sweet and Savory Grilled Squid Legs
- Macaroni Tuna Salad
- Daily Sashimi
- Sansho and Scallion Plain Yakisoba
Seasonal specials are also available.
Drink options include a wide selection of shochu (bottle orders available), along with hoppy, sours, highballs, wine, and sake.
Orders are placed by scanning a QR code and ordering via smartphone.
Highlights: Dishes We Tried
The appetizer served was clam miso soup, a comforting start—especially suitable for those planning to enjoy several drinks.
We ordered the following items:
- Asahi Super Dry (Small Bottle)
- Smashed Cucumber with Pickled Plum – crisp texture with a refreshing balance of acidity
- Fried Gizzard Silver Skin – pleasantly chewy, finished with lemon
- Sweet and Savory Grilled Squid Legs – aromatic and well-matched with alcohol
- Thick-Cut Ham Cutlet – lightly breaded with a satisfying thickness
- Daily Sashimi – well-chilled, seasonal fish with good fat content
Must-Try Dish: Sansho and Scallion Plain Yakisoba
The standout dish of the night was the sansho and scallion plain yakisoba.
This minimalist yakisoba contains no additional ingredients—just noodles topped with scallions and sesame.
Seasoned with sansho pepper, salt, and sesame oil, the noodles are grilled until firm with light charring, resulting in a texture reminiscent of al dente pasta.
It offered a completely new take on yakisoba and was the most memorable dish of the visit.
Conclusion
Matsuri Sakaba Iidabashi East Exit Ekimae delivers a comfortable atmosphere, attentive service, and a versatile menu suited for casual drinks as well as larger gatherings.
With private rooms, generous seating, and distinctive dishes like the sansho yakisoba, it’s a strong candidate for year-end parties, New Year gatherings, or pre-party meetups.
If you’re in the Iidabashi area, it’s well worth a visit.
Shop Information
- Name: Matsuri Sakaba Iidabashi East Exit Ekimae
- Address: Iidabashi Plaza 1F, 4-9-8 Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
- Access: 1 minute from Iidabashi Station
- Hours: 17:00–23:30
- Closed: None
- Seats: 187
- Payment: Credit cards, electronic money, QR payments accepted
- Wi-Fi: No
- Power outlets: No
- Smoking: Partially allowed
- Tabelog Rating: 3.27 (as of December 2025)
Looking for the original article in Japanese?
Click here to view the Japanese version on Daily Shinjuku.
https://daily-shinjuku.tokyo/2025/12/27/iidabashi-matsuri-sakaba/
