01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Beneath Otemachi’s rows of office buildings, the aroma of grilled chicken and the promise of a warming hot pot lead to 酒場蛍火 大手町ファーストスクエア店, in the basement of Otemachi First Square. A signature dish, the chicken thigh Hotarubi-yaki, gets its spicy kick from an original eight-spice blend. Choose it with a sauce glaze or simply grilled with salt. For a chewier bite, there is also spicy charcoal-grilled bone-in thigh from mature chicken, alongside produced-in-Japan chicken skewers such as young chicken with spring onion, chicken skin and tsukune meatballs. They pair naturally with a highball or a cold draft beer.
Warming offal hot pots, quick small plates and fresh fish
Grilled dishes are not the only draw: beef offal hot pot and a special pork offal hot pot are both available in individual portions. The broth takes on the richness of the offal, and you can make the most of every last drop by adding a rice-porridge set or chanpon noodles. Fresh-fish options include tuna sashimi and squid somen, while small plates range from tamari-marinated quail eggs to thick omelette. There is plenty to choose from, whether raising a glass with colleagues or putting together a group banquet.
Satisfying lunch sets and a sweet finish
On weekdays at lunchtime, set meals include fried chicken, pork loin cutlet simmered with egg, and sashimi with grilled fish—substantial options for a satisfying midday meal. To round off a lively evening meal, consider a warming serving of daigaku-imo or French mascarpone. Relaxed and unpretentious, this is a reassuring everyday izakaya in Otemachi, where you can eat well and enjoy a drink.
