Negima has the feel of a small eatery, with the kimono-clad proprietress serving customers. The decor, featuring ship manifests for the Sea of Japan merchant fleet and newspapers from the Taisho period, fosters a retro atmosphere. The name is from negima-nabe, a stew loved by the people of Edo. The signature dish owes its provenance to the proprietress’ younger days when she worked for a researcher in Edo cuisine. The conversations about olden-days food culture and history add to the charm.