Japatapa Toshibar - a refined little Izakaya
For years, Toshio Kobatake, known as Toshi, ran an elegant Teppan-Yaki restaurant in Munich’s Altstadt, named after himself.
Now, he welcomes us to his Japatapa Toshibar in Schwabing.
Stripped back to the essentials, it’s just as exciting as the original Toshi.
For those who, like us, are passionate about authentic Japanese cuisine, Toshi’s place is a must.
Together with his wife, he creates a warm, inviting atmosphere filled with Japanese hospitality and cozy Izakaya charm.
It’s no wonder Toshi was honored as a Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador.
This unique spot, hard to find elsewhere in Munich, is tucked away on the unassuming Marschallstraße.
Unlike the city’s lavish, designer-curated Asian restaurants, Japatapa Toshibar is simple and understated.
The ambiance is defined by the exceptional warmth and hospitality extended by Toshi and his team, along with an extraordinary dedication to the quality of each dish and ingredient.
While the small Ippin dishes and sushi are available à la carte, we love choosing one of the three Japatapa menus.
The flawless timing and well-considered progression of courses make for a special evening in themselves.
The Kaiseki menu, with ten almost Michelin-worthy courses, is simply unparalleled.
We spend a leisurely three hours sitting at the bar with Toshi, savoring heavenly dishes.
The nine-course sushi menu delights us with its purity - sushi brought to its absolute essence.
There are no over-the-top creations or overpowering sauces, just the finest fish, perfectly textured rice, and precise seasoning.
Here, we understand that the art of sushi lies in the smallest details, right down to the perfect slice.
Sushi crafted by a Japanese master is a pure joy, setting it far apart from the colorful bites served in many Asian-fusion spots.
The Ippin menu embodies our idea of a true Izakaya evening. Out of more than twenty Japanese tapas, we select six, paired with a draft Kirin beer.
Though simpler than the Kaiseki, the Ippin dishes are prepared with the same dedication to Japanese quality.
And of course, we’ll be back to work our way through the rest of the menu, one delightful Ippin plate at a time.
