Nakameguro’s Shinka offers a modern Japanese interpretation of a traditional lobster meal, with a seasonal menu in which prized Ise-ebi (Japanese lobster, the best being from Mie prefecture) is incorporated in most, if not all, dishes.
The all-Japanese menu can feel a bit overwhelming, but you'd do well to stick to the first two pages to start with – they're both full of Ise-ebi dishes. For a multi-course dinner that will leave you very well fed, select one option from the mains, ippin and otsumami listings each per person, and finish it all off with one of the gohan (rice) options.
Even though the menu starts off listing the mains, you'll be served everything in an appropriate order, which means rice last; we were already pretty stuffed by that time and were quite happy with a single serving of the deep, gusty lobster risotto. As of winter 2017/18, you can also look forward to the likes of sesame tofu infused with lobster dashi and the signature Shinka plate, a surf ’n turf number pairing wagyu with perfectly grilled lobster.
Spare an eye for their tableware too: the plates are rather cool, while some of the bowls and cups are made with traditional Japanese pottery techniques. Some of these are for sale on the second floor.
The bill? Surprisingly reasonable, considering what you're eating. Ours came to around ¥15,000, including drinks for two – a splurge, yes, but you'd be paying twice the price if this had been in Ginza. Our only complaint is that their prix fixe menus cannot be ordered on the day, only in advance online or by phone. But hey, mixing and matching yourself is half the fun here, and you'll be rewarded with a lobster meal to remember.