Sake And Sunshine: India’s New Hotspot For Japanese Cuisine

From the colourful bungalows in the Latin Quarter Fontainhas to the gorgeous beaches and rivers, and the age-old churches, there’s no doubt that Goa has something for everyone. During the pandemic, we saw a huge shift in people moving to work from home in India’s own sunshine state. Following them was the large influx of foreign nationals looking to reinvent themselves in Goa’s immersive countercultural society. With the gentrifiers moving in, the food and beverage industry was sure to follow.

Catering to the new wave of Goan pseudo-locals has been a string of Japanese restaurants throughout the state. From Parra to Panjim there are now more Japanese restaurants than ever and each one with its own unique spin on the cuisine. Moving beyond sushi and sashimi, these restaurants are not afraid of a little trial and error, and accordingly, they find an audience willing to experiment and expand their palates.

Next time you’re in Goa, give one of these restaurants a shot, and we promise you won’t be disappointed!

I. Izumi
Bandra’s favourite Japanese eatery has finally made its way South, bringing its sushi, yakitori, and favourite ramen to Goa’s Assagao area. Situated in supermodel Carol Gracias’ backyard boutique hotel Botanique, Izumi Assagao boasts indoor-outdoor seating with an outdoor yakitori grill, and an extensive bar menu curated by Tesouro’s wonder twins Arijit Bose and Pankaj Balachandran. All of this lends itself to a stark difference from their Bandra location. It is the perfect amalgamation of Goa’s susegad lifestyle, with word-class ingredients and service associated with the swankiest of restaurants.

You can find Izumi Assagao here.

II. Makutsu
The newest contribution to Goa’s Little Japan is Chef Pablo Luis de Miranda’s Panjim joint, Makutsu. Forgoing the usual sushi-sashimi-ramen offerings, Makutsu focuses specifically on yakitori (pieces of meat on skewers, barbequed over a hibachi, a Japanese grill). Their unassuming two-page menu is dedicated to yakitori-ed meat and veg, with everything from chicken to offal to beef tongue skewers for the carnivores and a delicately grilled set of 8 vegetable skewers including okra, broccoli, and mushrooms. The 16-seater restaurant follows the tradition set by izakayas (restaurants) in Japan by doing one type of food and doing it extremely well.

You can find Makutsu here.

III. Roboto
From owner Parth Timbadia comes Goa’s cutest izakaya, Roboto. Nestled in the lanes of Calangute, Roboto’s doors open out into a sun-kissed courtyard with leafy greens and gorgeous flowers, set against kawaii-inspired art and knick-knacks are the décor du jour, with ramen and donburi on the menu created by Chefs Maia Laifungbam and Sanchit Bahl. The restaurant covers a list of small plates, along with Japanese flavour-fronted cocktails, like yuzu, matcha, and soju. They are also accommodating of vegan and gluten-free diets. All of this makes Roboto the perfect spot for a sumptuous dinner after a long day at the beach.

You can find Roboto here.

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