Let the lovers of good sushi, Japanese flavors and those dishes that take us directly to the authentic Japanese cuisine, raise their hands! Because if you have reached these lines, you will be happy to know that in Valencia there are many very worthy options of Japanese cuisine where you can satisfy your demanding palate.
And, far from what many think, not only sushi exists in Japanese cuisine. We who have raised both hands, love to enjoy each of the elaborations that define this type of cuisine and let us be surprised that everything that is cooked in the hands of the best Master Japanese artisans.
From sushi, ramen, delicacies made with the best raw fish, authentic yakitoris braseados and even sweet dishes cooked with no usual ingredients on this side of the pond.
Japanese cuisine has a lot to offer, so we invite you to join us on a journey through our five favorite Japanese temples in Valencia. We promise it will be delicious!
If you go to Ryukishin you should ask for ramen. Yes or yes, it would almost be a sin not to do it and to stop trying its different ramen dishes. First, because in all of them they respect 100% of the traditional recipe of Japanese ramen, as did the real Master artisans. Since ramen is ramen, and man is man.
Ryukishin is, in fact, the first “ramen bar” in Valencia where everything is authentic. From their elaborations as the ingredients they use, everything travels from there. In addition, with an unbeatable quality-price ratio, this could be the second reason. A curious fact? Their chef Chao tells us that the Japanese are accustomed to taste this dish in just 5 minutes and not let it cool. Do you dare to try?
We are going to recognize it from now on: Nozomi Sushi Bar occupies the highest first place of our favorite Japanese restaurants in Valencia. From here we are passionate about everything, since you enter and feel like you are on a real street in Kyoto, until everything happens in the kitchen, passing by the passion that its creators, Jose Miguel and Nuria, put in every detail.
Nozomi is “the illusion of a fulfilled dream”, in its literal translation and in what this couple has achieved. As a sample, the dishes offered on the menu: classic nigiris that respect the pure flavor of the fish, and other more original ones like the nigiri butter fish with truffle cream or sardine with oil of smoke. The ginger cream with milk fig ice cream and apple ice makes the perfect end of this sushi temple in Valencia.
Then came its little brother, Hikari Yakitori Bar, which you will read a few lines below. In both proposals, everything is pure Japanese essence to which you will fall surrendered.
At Hikari Yakitori Bar everywhere you look is Japan.
After Nozomi Sushi Bar, José Miguel and Nuria gave life to this authentic Japanese tavern where, unlike his older brother, does not offer any sushi – not a single piece. Here the essence are its 22 varieties of yakitoris made to the ember: chicken skin or Torikawa, beef tenderloin, Iberian feather, eggplant with miso paste, samsho pepper eel, bull with yuzu kosho or chicken meatballs with egg yolk, among other.
Hikari Yakitori Bar is busy, embers, neons, spikes, bar, fire… is the second stop of a trip that will transport you to the most authentic alleys of Japan.
It was during one of his trips to Japan when, four years ago, Diego Laso decided that his new restaurant in Valencia was going to be called Momiji, like that red autumn leaf that flourishes in Japan during the month of October.
For him it was a challenge to offer a totally different proposal of Japanese restaurant: live cooking that the diner can enjoy just a bar away. At Momiji, located in the market of Columbus of Valencia, you will enjoy the spectacle that is to see how Laso and Company are handled with the knife and they pamper the product to the minimum detail.
Among its dishes, we could highlight the sashimi of hamachi or lemon fish; special futomaki with red tuna, scallop and ikura, oyster with ponzu sauce and Momiji Oroshi and Gunkan of Ikura (salmon roe). But there are many more, which we prefer you discover and taste for yourself. You won’y regret it!
There are days when you want to enjoy good sushi at home, either alone or with some friends; and for those days The Sushi Room Street Food is a safe bet. This restaurant offers a delivery service in which you don’t have to leave the couch to taste good sushi.
What can you ask for? We opted for a few rolls: the Sweet Alaska, with crispy onion, salmon and teriyaki sauce; the Bangkok, with crisp mango and prawn, and the París, with mango, foie, celery and kiwi confit, the most requested on the menu! But there is more: sashimi and niguiris, gyozas, salmon tartar…everything comes intact and freshly made!
But if you prefer, you can also eat it in their restaurant, located in the neighborhood of Ruzafa in Valencia. You ask for what you want and pick it up at the bar, then you sit down and you only have to enjoy. Its street atmosphere shows a carefree and informal version of Sushi Room, which has a second place just a few minutes away in the same neighborhood of Ruzafa. Haven’t you tried it yet?
Text: Gemma Bargues
Photos: Laura Torres
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