Originally from Nagoya, oden purveyor Samon has become a fixture in Nakameguro since setting up shop under the railway tracks in the trendy neighbourhood back in 2016. The massive oden pot outside the eatery, from which aromatic steam rises enticingly on cold days, is a big part of the attraction, and they’ve replicated that stunt at this Tokyo Station sister location.
Shamon specialises in oden simmered in mizutaki broth, made by boiling Tokyo-sourced chicken and veg in water for several hours, resulting in a full-bodied and rich taste. The ingredients range from the conventional (kamaboko fish cakes, tofu, daikon, soft-boiled eggs) to the unexpected (seasonal Western vegetables, skewered chicken), all of which can be spiced up with a dollop of their proprietary chilli miso or yuzu kosho paste.
Pair your oden with some sake from the tightly curated menu, which features contributions from some of the best breweries around the country, and also consider exploring the innovative selection of sides; we love the potato salad seasoned with oden dashi. The amount of seating in the wood-heavy, down-to-earth space is just about sufficient, and you can usually find space along the standing counter even when the tables are all taken.