Kōfuku

A plume of fragrant smoke rises the moment the meat hits the wire mesh, and the substantial cuts immediately build anticipation. Located in Nishi-Asakusa, Kōfuku serves hearty, satisfying cuts of beef in an unpretentious, old-school charcoal-grilling style.

The menu is anchored by generous thick cuts of skirt steak and beef tongue. Grilled slowly over charcoal to seal in the juices, the skirt steak releases rich, savory flavors with every chew, showing off notable tenderness across both regular and premium grades. Jo-tan (premium tongue) delivers a pleasant crisp bite and deep savor, while kainomi (flap meat) strikes a fine balance between lean beef and marbling, melting tenderly on the palate.

Alongside classic cuts, the restaurant features carefully prepped offal. The liver retains a clean flavor without drying out on the grill, and crunchy jo-mino (first stomach) pairs nicely with the dipping sauce and drinks. Between grilled items, fresh cold appetizers like senmai-sashi (raw third stomach) and sakura yukhoe (seasoned horsemeat tartare) are popular choices to cleanse the palate.

Savoring smoky, freshly grilled beef over a bowl of steamed white rice is deeply satisfying, though ending the meal with a soothing bowl of abalone porridge is another rewarding option. The gentle crunch of abalone harmonizes with the mild, savory dashi broth, bringing a comforting finish after a rich meal.

The dining room carries the lively, smoky atmosphere of a classic charcoal yakiniku shop, complemented by considerate touches like bags to protect coats from smoke. Because dinner hours tend to get busy, reserving a table in advance is recommended.