Review The Kyoto Style Izakaya Redefining Japanese Food in Milan
Milan is literally packed with flashy sushi spots and high end Asian fusion joints, but if you want to experience the true, unfiltered soul of Japanese home cooking, here is your chance!
Hidden away in the vibrant Navigli district is Ate Obanzai Bar, a brand new, ultra intimate project by Keika Kikuchi and the genius team behind Sakeya. We recently rolled up to this tiny hidden gem to see if it actually lives up to the local foodie hype. Spoiler alert: it is giving major late night Kyoto alleyway vibes, and we are completely obsessed!
Before we dive into what we ate, let us talk about the concept.
What exactly is Obanzai
Obanzai (おばんざい) is a traditional style of Japanese cuisine native to Kyoto. For food to officially be considered obanzai, at least half of its ingredients must be produced or processed in Kyoto. Instead of those heavy, over the top meals, the whole vibe is about small, seasonal bites that families whip up in their own unique way. It is meant to be shared over premium drinks and good conversation.
The Vibe
Ate Obanzai Bar is tiny, warm, and wonderfully lowkey. Designed by architect Ishiyama, the whole space revolves around an open kitchen where you literally sit on wooden stools right at the counter or along minimal wall shelves. With only a dozen seats available, eating here feels way less like going to a commercial restaurant and more like being invited into the private dining room of a Japanese family.
It is the absolute ultimate aesthetic for a solo dinner, a cozy date night, or catching up with your foodie bestie. The dim lighting, background jazz, and minimalist wood details instantly teleport you straight to Japan the second you walk in. Because the space is so restricted, you get a front row seat to watch the chefs meticulously prepare each dish, which adds this whole layer of theatricality and appreciation to the night.
The Food
We showed up starving and just let the kitchen do its thing, kicking off our tasting with the omakase obanzai. This daily chef selection features small, seasonal plates that offer a super delicate balance of pickled, simmered, and fresh flavors to wake up your palate. If you are an adventurous eater, the shiokara is an absolute must. It features raw, fermented marinated octopus paired with a comforting rice and algae combo that is intensely savory and texturally brilliant. We then moved on to the motsuni, a super rich intestine and bean soup that is basically the definition of authentic Japanese comfort food. Obviously, you cannot hit up an izakaya without ordering some deep fried goodness, and their fried chicken was incredibly juicy on the inside with a perfect, non greasy crunch. But the real main character of the fried section was the wagyu croquette, crispy and golden on the outside while packed with melt in your mouth premium beef. For our heavier bites, we went for the wagyu bruschetta, a totally elevated Japanese twist on the Italian classic, followed by a hearty beef rice bowl dripping with a rich umami sauce. We wrapped up the night with a steaming, restorative bowl of chicken ramen that was deeply flavorful and exactly what you need to survive a freezing Milanese evening.
The Verdict
Ate Obanzai Bar is exactly the reset the Milanese food scene needed. It completely steps away from those flashy, over the top sushi boats and focuses entirely on the authentic, comforting flavors of a Kyoto home. The prices are super fair for the insane quality, and their curated sake selection is honestly phenomenal. Snagging a spot at the counter definitely requires some advanced planning since the space is so limited, but the culinary payoff is one hundred percent worth the effort.
Ate Obanzai Bar
📍 Via casale 3/A Milano
🌐 https://www.instagram.com/ate_obanzaibar
Have you managed to grab a seat at Ate Obanzai Bar yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and do not forget to bookmark chinatownmilano.it for more hidden foodie gems around the city.