Iru

Iru on Washington Street in Brookline Village focuses on Korean cooking, with samgyetang at the center of its story. The soup brings together a whole chicken, rice and ginseng. Chef Hajime Yamazaki carries forward family recipes associated with the original restaurants in Japan, giving this small Brookline restaurant a much more specific identity than a general Asian-fusion label suggests.

The meal can include an assortment of banchan and other Korean dishes, so check the current dining format when reserving rather than assuming every item is ordered separately. Reservations are handled through Resy, and the restaurant welcomes walk-ins when it can accommodate them. The address is 238 Washington Street. For a first visit, leave room in your plans to sit down for dinner and make the soup the focus.