Japanese comfort food meets the art of sake
It is no secret that Japanese cuisine has grown its way into Italy’s heart, just look at how many successful restaurants have popped up in the last decade. However, we often reduce Japanese culture to sushi, and (as much as we love the creative ways you can enjoy sushi in Rome) that is a disservice. Thankfully, Sake Boutique Izakaya is here to show us a different side of Japan, and to teach us about sake.
Open in Piazza Albania (Aventino), just south of Circo Massimo and north of Piramide, this carefully designed restaurant offers an intimate experience from the center of Rome to the inside of a Japanese home. Truly, Sake Boutique Izakaya offers an authentic food and drink experience – without too many frills.
A traditional Japanese izakaya is a place where you can sit down, drink, and eat something simple convivially, sort of like an Italian osteria. Founded by the minds behind the popular Sushi e Noodles franchise, Sake Boutique Izakaya unites traditional Japanese food to the art of sake.
The most popular drink in Japan, with a worldwide fame that’s growing by the minute, sake entered the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in December 2024. And we certainly still have some catching up to do: did you know that sake just means alcohol in Japanese? The drink’s real name is nihonshu, and its technical name is seishu, meaning clear beverage.
Here at Sake Boutique, sake – or should we say nihonshu? – obviously reigns supreme. With over 30 types of sake, get ready for a journey as you taste the beverage on its own or cleverly mixed in more elaborate drinks. But it’s not all: Sake Boutique also has Japanese whiskeys and gins, with an almost entirely Japanese drink list, setting the perfect atmosphere for an aperitivo as you munch on a plate to share, in the true convivial spirit of the traditional izakaya.
The food menu is not extravagant, it’s grounded on simple dishes, childhood comfort food – but made with quality ingredients. There is something for all palates: fish, meat, vegetarian. And, of course, dessert.
Dishes not to miss include the tasty Oyakodon, “father and son”, chicken and raw egg yolk, made with onions and white rice; the Agedashi tofu, tempura tofu in dashi broth sauce and katsuobushi); and the Hitsumabushi, roasted eel on rice and dashi broth. Hardcore fans of Roman cuisine will have to try the Spicy Miso Carbonara, made with creamy noodles, egg, pork cheek, gochujang, and gochugaru. Other classic udon and gyoza are also available.
Come here for lunch, aperitivo, dinner, or post-dinner, or even for a masterclass or a sake tasting. You’ll be in for an authentic experience, designed with care and the utmost respect for tradition.
Sake Boutique Izakaya is the perfect place to give homage to Japan and to learn of their more intimate and authentic food and drink culture.
INSPIRATION
International Cuisine in Rome
