Ikebukuro -- Miyarabi. 3971-5061, 5396-4866

This is Okinawan food as haute cuisine, a tropical version of kaiseki ryori. Miyarabi's stated mission for the past 40-odd years has been to "combine local country dishes with the cuisine of the Royal Ryukyu Palace." There's a nightly performance of Okinawan dance during dinner (it starts at around 8:30 and lasts 20 minutes). Recommended dishes are the minudaru (tender roast pork with a sesame-based sauce), the Okinawan soba and the excellent peanut tofu. Unfortunately, the atmosphere is somewhat sterile and uncomfortable, much like an overpriced salaryman's drinking club, and prices are on the high side (although you can probably get away for under Y8,000 per person). And the service is fairly incompetent, although the great food makes up for it.[feedback]

Ikebukuro 2-45-1, Ark City Ikebukuro B1F. Open 5:30-10:45pm (LO). Closed Sundays, holidays.

Shinjuku -- Nabi to Kamado. 5919-2688

Standard Okinawan fare and a huge selection of awamori.[feedback]

Shinjuku 3-15-17, Isetan Kaikan 5F. Open 11am-10pm (LO). Closed Wednesdays.

Shinjuku Kabukicho -- Nanpu. 3200-1285

A tiny, artfully decorated drinking place in the middle of one of Kabukicho's sleazier blocks, Nanpu attracts a strange assortment of customers. The prices listed on the menu seem to have no relation to the final bill, which can be quite a bit higher. The food is outstanding, though, and even the stir-fried champuru and the pork dishes aren't a bit greasy. Raw goat meat is one of their specialties, if you're brave enough.[feedback]

Kabukicho 1-11-3. Open 5pm-midnight. Closed Sundays and holidays.

Shibuya -- Okinawa. 3464-2576

A comfortable, spacious Okinawan izakaya with a wide drinks menu, including unusual items like "island banana liqueur" and hibiscus sour as well as awamori and Orion beer. The food menu is limited, but everything is very well prepared and even their stir-fry dishes are ungreasy. Most portions are on the small side, but the noodle dishes are fairly filling.[feedback]

Dogenzaka 2-23-13, Shibuya Deli Tower B1F. Open 5:30-11:15pm (LO) daily.

Hiroo -- Hanauta. 5791-2524

A wide range of Okinawan standards and unusual original dishes (like aloe sashimi), plus plenty of awamori.[feedback]

Hiroo 5-17-6, Kawakami Bldg. B1F. (Walk west from Hiroobashi and turn left on the second corner (before Homework's); Hanuta is on the right after 1 min.) Open 6pm-3am daily.

Shirogane-Takanawa -- Adan. 5444-4507

An Okinawan bar/restaurant with live music.[feedback]

Mita 5-9-15. Open 6pm-12:30am (LO). Closed Sundays.

Roppongi -- Shimauta Rakuen. 3470-2310

A small Roppongi izakaya with Okinawan-style food and frequent live musical performances. There's a nominal music charge (Y1,000 or so) when there's a show.[feedback]

Roppongi 7-14-10, 4F. (near Roppongi crossing on Gaien-Higashi-dori) Open 5-10:30pm (LO). Closed Sundays.

Higashi-Ginza -- Awamori. 3543-9256

150 different kinds of awamori (Okinawan brandy) on the menu! Try them all![feedback]

Ginza 7-17-18. Open 5:30-11:30pm. Closed Sundays.

Ichigaya -- Miyarabi. 3261-3453

A branch of the excellent Miyarabi in Ikebukuro.[feedback]

Kudan-Minami 3-4-3. Open 5:30-10pm (LO). Closed Sundays and holiday.

Iidabashi -- Shima. 3261-0206

A small, down-to-earth place with authentic food and cheap prices. The menu features nice, ungreasy stir-fried champuru dishes, several varieties of Okinawan soba and assorted snacks to go with your awamori. Seating is on rickety stools at tiny tables.[feedback]

Fujimi 2-4-7. (To get there, exit Iidabashi station's west exit and turn left, walk past the police box and Denny's, turn left on the corner just past Denny's, and walk 50 meters, just past the next side street.) Open 11:30am-1:40, 5-10:30pm. Closed Sundays.

Koenji -- Kiyoka. 3339-5722

A smaller branch of Dachibin, located on one of the narrowest alleyways in Tokyo.[feedback]

Koenji-Kita 3-22-2. (from the shotengai along the north-west side of the tracks, take the very first right; or if you find sister shop Dachibin they'll give you a map ) Open 5pm-midnight (2am Fridays, Saturdays). Open every day.