Recently Switzerland has been noticing that Asian culture is quite interesting. Since I spent a lot of time around Asian cultures it's something that I really miss. Anyway, I noticed that there seem to be a few Japanese restaurants popping up, so I thought I'd invite some discussion on the subject.
What I'd like to know is does someone know of a restaurant that does REAL Japanese food, by this I don't mean all the standard stuff like sushi, tenpura etc. to a high standard (i guess this last point is going to subjective!!)
While I'm on the topic I can write a little mini-review (very mini) on 2 places where I go.
Tiffins - I've done this place to death now due to a lack of alternatives in the area. It's starting to get on my nerves though due to the smoking and the fact that I always have to wait ages to get a table, then get squeezed next to other people on a table of 6-8 (you never really get used to that unless you grew up here do you?).
Nooba - When I first heard about this place I was blown away. Non-smoking (completely) and free parking underneath the building. Wow - I couldn't believe that they would give me parking instead of a lecture about how I should use public transport instead. Unfortunately the food is (in my opinion) very substandard, and the menu, even though an attempt at Asian cuisine is rather boring. The decor is nice and the location is central though. So like Tiffins I begrudingly go there....
Anyone else got some good tips? I haven't been to Yooji's in about 3 years - any good?
I would like to recommend two Sushi restaurants. Neither are cheap but then I've never found reasonable sushi prices here in Zurich!
Sala of Tokyo is located just opposite the ABC cinema in Zurich, by the main Station. It is very small and has funny opening hours. Reservations are definatly recommended. I've often wanted to eat there, only to find that its all booked. But the Sushi is very good!
The second sushi restaurant is Okara on Brandschenkestr. 5, 8002 Zurich. Very simple decor, nice food and they have a happy hour during which a Bento box costs about 40.- This is a very generous selection of various Japanese dishes.
Have had a negative experience at Salas of Tokyo - went one day on a special anniversary dinner, place was packed, and the owner (some older swiss guy) came up to us several times during the meal implying that we hadn't actually made reservations, when we had made the reservations days in advance. Seems like he's just an asshole - we certainly won't be back.
Fujiya (across from Bahnhof Enge) is not bad, but a little bit on the expensive side.
Thats a shame. I must admit that I haven't been there for nearly a year... Last time I went there was just a little Japanese man. I think it was the same guy who used to have the Sushi stand in the Jelmoli food hall, but I'm not sure.
This is true, it's his place and he left his "trainee" at Jelmoli (and he does a reasonable job).
My missus like this place a lot - due to the fact that she was encouraged to go there by a Japanese friend and because of her faithfulness to the guy (as they followed him from Jelmoli), she gets extra bits.
There's also a reasonable place in the Coutt's/UBS Schanze building just near 2. Akte and the Italian embassy, where tram 8 crosses Pelikanstrasse.
There are several Japanese restaurants in Zurich area. Some are good and some are not..
My recommendations:
Bimi: located near Stadelhofen station new chef (used to be the chef at Wedder hotel) but have a rumor that the chef will leave by the end of March. variety of Sake and quite good
Japanese grocery store "Nishi" is the owner of this restaurant. I heard that there are always conflict between employees and the owner due to working conditions.
Satori: located near Enge station new chef, "traditional Japanese. Sake is directly imported from Japan. (but a little too dry to my taste)
Samurai: located in "not-so good" district.. quite new, young chef...Sushi is a little away from "traditional" but more "creative", but great variety and fresh.
By the way, Sara of Tokyo is for sale about 2 years. The owner couple (Japanese wife and Swiss husband) would like to retire.
Japanses food is one of my favorites. There are a lot of Japanses restaurant in Suzhou and normally cost you only around 25CHF per person. What's the normal price in Zurich?
I'm new in Zurich and my friends from work introduced me to Okara - we went for lunch. The food was pretty good so give it a try. They ordered sushi from there for our office Christmas apero and it was good too.
One more - had to find the website. It's not in Zurich and as I'm new in town, not sure how far away it is but am told it's not too far - in Widen. It's a Japanese ryokan hotel - Japanese style tatami rooms are available - with open thermal water whirpool baths for some rooms; also a restaurant that serves a variety of Japanese food including a kaiseki menu.
Here's the website - unfortunately it's not in English - only German and Japanese but I hear it's good if someone wants to venture out of the city to discover a bit of Japan without getting on a plane. When I try it - I'll let everyone know what I think.
Enjoyed the Agedashi tofu with mushrooms. The sushi rice was a bit bland and 'compacted' in a different way (very angular, as if cut from a tray) and the topping of choice was a bit too thin.
When I see these curry threads popping up I crave for japanese curry... Unfortunately I only know of sushi places and the namamen chain (ramen), which has a restaurant in the "westside" shoppingding in bern.
So if you know a restaurant that does kare (like samurai, see above) or can tell me if those mentioned in this thread do other things than sushi, please post. My stomach and I would greatly appreciate it!
Actually anything where ebi fry or oknomiyaki or takoyaki or ramen...everything is served would be very nice to hear too.
Quick recommendation for Fujiya at Bahnhof Enge. It is the Teppan-Yaki (sp?) style where everything is cooked in front of you on a hotplate. Bookings for dinner at 6pm benefit from a 20% or 25% discount over normal prices.
It is quite expensive - cheapest menu is about 70chf and most expensive is 150chf (per person), and of course you can pay surcharges to upgrade to Wagu beef etc etc (I recommend this, it is amazing).
I'd say not only is it the best Japanese I have ever eaten, it was also the best steak I have ever eaten, so would definitely recommend this place, esp if someone else is paying!