Do you know what izakaya means in Japanese? It translates to a casual drinking establishment that also serves food, pretty much what English-speaking people would call a gastropub. There are many izakaya restaurants all over Toronto but of all the ones we’ve been to, Yuzu Izakaya was the most surprising in terms of quality and overall feel. You might think we’re talking about a restaurant near Yorkville, or even Yonge and Eglinton, but you’d be wrong. Yuzu Izakaya is located a little bit further north at Yonge and Finch, just 10 minutes away from our own Emerald Park.
When we checked out Yuzu Izakaya, we were wandering around the area and if we had taken one more step we would have missed it! If we didn’t see their signature hand-drawn orange we would have strolled right past it, but we’re glad we didn’t. From the moment we walked in, we felt like we were transported to a hot-spot in downtown Tokyo. Great music, awesome atmosphere, and everyone said hello when we walked in.
First thing we ordered were a couple of Sapporo’s, of course, and then proceeded to dive into the rest of the menu. If you’re into adventurous eating, this is the place for you. We started with some spicy sashimi and ended with the creamy pork belly served on mashed sweet potato and not only were both of these dishes amazing, but so was everything in between. We suggest the beef skewers, the udon hot-pot, and anything on the deep fry menu. Trust us, you’ll be in izakaya heaven.
Have you been to Yuzu Izakaya? What’s your favourite dish on the menu? Do you have any other restaurant suggestions in the neighbourhood? We want to know everything! Share your favourites with us on Twitter or in the comments.