IZAKAYA ISSA: AUTHENTIC JAPANESE FOOD IN BRAZIL? ABSOLUTELY.
The Cost -$25
The Atmosphere – I wouldn’t say the small restaurant is well decorated or that it’s the most aesthetically pleasing but that’s not what it is supposed to be. An izakaya is a place where people go to have a drink and/or some food in a casual setting and Izakaya Issa fits that description.
When you think of Sao Paolo, Japanese food is not what comes to mind. However, outside of Japan, Brazil has the largest population of Japanese people in the world and they are known for making some of the best Japanese food in the Western hemisphere! To get a taste of some of Brazil’s Japanese food, I was told to try Izakaya Issa, a small, traditional restaurant located in Liberdade, a neighborhood of Sao Paolo with a number of authentic Japanese shops and eateries.
The Order - Caiprinha de Saquê com kiwi, Kakuni and Kare Udon.
The Fantastic - All of the food! I started with the Kakuni, a stewed and braised pork dish served in a delicious broth. The meat was fatty and the fat was absolutely delicious. It was tender and soft from being in the broth and acted like a sponge; I found that the longer the meat stayed in the broth, the better it tasted. The Kare Udon, a noodle dish served in a Japanese curry broth, was also fantastic. The broth was sensational and wasn’t too spicy and the noodles were thick and made just right. Even the pickled vegetables that they gave me to start the meal were incredible.
The Okay - While the food items were amazing, my cocktail was definitely not what I had hoped it would be. A Japanese twist on a traditional caipirinha, this version was made with sake and kiwi. I give them points for creativity but the flavor of the drink was not a very pleasant one and I wished I had gone with a simple sake.
The Verdict - The food at Izakaya Issa is exceptional. If you are looking to have an authentic Japanese meal in Sao Paolo, you must go. When you go, stick to one of the Japanese beers or sakes to quench your thirst and you’ll have an amazing dining experience in a traditional Izakaya setting.