Unless you dine at a privately-owned small restaurant (koryorinya) in the area called Kannon-ura—sandwiched between Senso-ji Temple and Yoshiwara, away from the bustling Asakusa areas like Kaminarimon-dori, Nakamise-dori, Shin-Nakamise, and Rokku—you cannot say you truly know the real Asakusa. This is a very difficult thing to do, not only for foreigners but also for Japanese people.
Only those who are prepared for that should visit this restaurant. The landlady is a very kind person, but she runs the shop completely by herself and is extremely busy. You must not make her any busier than she already is.
Sometimes, the otoshi (appetizer) comes as a set of three small dishes. I think it’s a clever way to keep customers happy while they wait for their orders.
Ehime cuisine—particularly “B-class gourmet” foods like jako-ten (fried fish cakes) and fish sausage—is well worth trying. Sashimi prepared carpaccio-style is also delicious.