01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
At Happy, a lively local tavern, an evening begins over bottled beer and sake while browsing strips of paper and menu slips detailing the day's catch. Located in Kameari, Katsushika Ward, this unpretentious spot serves fresh seafood in a classic, welcoming neighborhood tavern setting.
A natural starting point is the generous selection of sashimi. Depending on seasonal market arrivals, reasonably priced offerings range from firm, deep-red cuts of Pacific bluefin tuna to greater amberjack, horse mackerel, rich striped jack, flounder, and crisp whelk sashimi. Beyond raw seafood, hot grilled choices pair naturally with drinks, including aromatic grilled whole Japanese flying squid alongside buttery sautéed scallops and spear squid.
The signature dish not to overlook is Happy Jiru, the house soup that shares the tavern's name. Infused with a rich stock brewed from fish trimmings and crab, this hot, hot-pot-style soup delivers a deeply savory broth that works equally well as a palate cleanser or a soothing finish to the meal. The kitchen also prepares satisfying specialties characteristic of traditional taverns, such as tender whale steak, fragrant whale bacon, and horsehair crab.
Drinks are kept wallet-friendly, featuring large bottles of Kirin Lager alongside Asahi Super Dry, chuhai, oolong tea highballs, and sake options like Takashimizu Karakuchi. With both counter and table seating, the dining room accommodates solo diners quietly savoring seafood as effortlessly as small groups sharing dishes over drinks.
