01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Stepping down the basement stairs off a Meguro side street leads into Meguro Kairo, a snug izakaya built around simmering pots of motsunabe and an extensive spread of evening drinking snacks. The house specialty hot pot offers a choice of three broths: white miso, soy sauce, or spicy miso. The white miso broth enjoys strong popularity for its gently sweet, full-bodied profile that infuses the cabbage and vegetables while complementing tender, springy beef offal. For a cleaner profile, the clear soy broth allows diners to season each bowl with their preferred table condiments.
While waiting for the pot to boil, the appetizer menu warrants attention. Skewers feature combinations such as shrimp and shiso leaf wrapped in pork belly, alongside seasoned raw horsemeat yukhoe served with raw egg yolk and a house sauce, or refreshing boiled offal tossed in ponzu. An izakaya list aimed at drinkers includes casual vegetable bites such as smashed cucumber, fried eggplant, and buttered spinach, making it easy to assemble an assorted spread across the table.
Once the main pot is finished, finishing dishes let diners make the most of the enriched soup base. Rice porridge simmered directly in the flavorful stock is a classic choice, though many opt for yellow ramen noodles in the reduced white miso broth to round out the meal.
The subterranean room draws steady evening crowds, so advance table reservations are recommended when visiting with friends or larger dining parties.
