Citrus

In the quiet residential streets of Shimouma, Setagaya, Citrus keeps its lights on late into the evening. The menu ranges widely across fresh seasonal seafood, obanzai side dishes, fragrant stir-fries, and Western-style small plates, making it easy to tailor an order to the mood and drinking pace of the night.

Good opening choices include the sashimi assortment, cut thick for a satisfying bite, and the sampler plate of daily obanzai, which offers varied tastes in modest portions. From there, the lineup features plenty of dishes crafted to pair with drinks, such as rich scallop tossed with sea urchin, torotaku (minced fatty tuna and pickled radish) to wrap in crisp nori seaweed, and water spinach sautéed with garlic.

The kitchen also stands out for its varied final courses, including fried rice studded with tart, crunchy shibazuke pickles, crisp sara udon noodles beneath a savory topping, and bean sprout ramen in broth. The drinks list is equally eclectic, featuring draft beer and sake alongside natural wine and refreshing baisu sours, letting guests freely match pours to whichever culinary direction the meal takes.

The dining room includes both counter and table seating, and dinner reservations are well worth making as seats often fill up early on weekends. With service running until 1:00 (24:00 on Sundays), the venue accommodates everything from a full multi-course gathering to a late-night toast.