Jah 居酒屋 - Izakaya & Sake Bar in Vesterbro
This Izakaya fits perfectly into the vibrant, fresh Vesterbro district.
The relaxed team and the casual look of the space create an easygoing atmosphere.
Small street food-style dishes are perfect for sharing with friends while listening to reggae tunes.
An Izakaya, in Japanese 居酒屋, is a cozy and informal place, most similar to a European pub.
Ulla and Satoru Inoue, both with Japanese roots, along with their old Danish friend Jonas Hartz and Chef Shinya Ito, have fortunately decided to bring an Izakaya to Copenhagen.
We learn that 居 (iru) means to linger, 酒 (sake) refers to alcoholic beverages and 屋 (ya) is a house.
Jah Izakaya is exactly such a place to comfortably linger - red paper lanterns, simple light wooden furniture and many beautiful bottles on the shelves around the dominant bar.
The relaxed crowd gives the impression that everyone has known each other for a long time.
There are wonderful selected sakes, natural wines and a house-made Jah IPA, served in a chilled glass.
The extensive menu of small, shareable dishes makes choosing difficult.
Although a tasting menu could make the decision easier, we prefer to explore the delicious offerings on our own.
Classics like Gyoza and fried chicken stand up well alongside the refined trout ceviche and the excellent Gyu Tataki with ponzu and Japanese mayonnaise.
Our favorite is the semi-dried, grilled squid, closely followed by the delicious homemade kimchi and the incredibly good Japanese potato salad with smoked soft-boiled egg.
We would love to keep eating, but we simply can't manage more.
How wonderful it would be to come back tomorrow.
Who wouldn't like to have an Izakaya, like Jah, in their neighborhood?
