Had dinner at Shukuu Japanese Izakaya and Bar on a weekend night. The place is located along Stanley Street, an area packed with plenty of popular eateries.

The first dish I had was the Crab Gratin with Mentaiko, creatively served in a crab head. The potato was cooked perfectly—soft but not crumbling when eaten—with notable chunks of crab within, all topped with a generous amount of torched mentaiko. Another mentaiko dish that I thoroughly enjoyed was the Rosti Mentai, which featured a plentiful amount of torched mentaiko paired perfectly with shredded rosti potatoes that had crisp edges and a soft, steamy interior.

I also ordered several Kushiyaki, namely the Tontoro Black Pork Collar, Bacon with Asparagus, and my personal favorite, Tsukune Meatballs. The meatballs were superbly well glazed, and the meat was juicy and flavorful.

Last but definitely not least, for drinks, I decided to try the Sawanotsuru Aged Umeshu. It was sweet with hints of sourness and a pleasant plum aroma, and I will most certainly be getting an entire bottle to enjoy at home.

I highly recommend Shukuu Izakaya to anyone looking for a great night out with friends and family while enjoying good Japanese izakaya cuisine and drinks.