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    5.0 (1 review)

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    Izakaya Issa

    Izakaya Issa

    4.3(27 reviews)
    58.5 kmLiberdade
    $$

    Everybody knows that Sao Paulo is the best city to eat great Japanese food outside Japan. I always…read morehad great experiences eating at Izakaya Issa, one of the best Japanese food I have already had (different from te sushi-sashimi we are use to). I have never been in Japan, but I heard that Izakaya Issa is very authentic and traditional. The ladies working there are always very friendly, and Dona Margarida Haraguchi, the owner, is so sweet and conversationist! The star dishes from the place is the octopus balls (really creamy and well-flavored) and the ramen!

    An Izakaya is first and foremost a neighborhood bar that serves drinks and bar food. This place did…read morea great job making me feel welcome, offering me a menu in English as we greeted. There were certainly plenty of Japanese speaking customers mixed in with Portuguese. And I, the odd tourist, felt right at home. The bamboo shoot and shitake mushroom appetizers were delectable. The chicken broth ramen was insipid. The Gyukatsu Kare (breaded fried beef with curry sauce over rice) was better, but not the ultra crispy panko planks I've had in some places. Maybe it was because I ordered it at the end of the night. The Brazilian brewed cold sake was really good. Could hardly tell the difference from Japanese sake. But, the highlight of the dinner of Sanma Shio--grilled pike mackerel with sea salt. Inexpensive for Sanma, uber fresh, grilled crispy so that you could crunch up the head and tail! The service was prompt, efficient and very warm. Even the owner came by to chat several times. Arigato gozaimasu! Obrigado! Thank you.

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    Izakaya Issa - Seating area

    Seating area

    Izakaya Issa
    Izakaya Issa

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    Yakitori

    Yakitori

    4.6(27 reviews)
    58.2 kmMoema
    $$

    Normally I don't write reviews on Yelp. If you have an opportunity to be in São Paulo, and you…read morewant great Japanese dining, you want to come here. Saude and Kanpai

    Was wondering what our last meal would be in São Paulo, and this one was a great choice. It's been…read morea while since I've had good grilled Japanese food (a few places in the Bay Area and of course in Japan). I recommend trying a variety of each, since the skewers are all reasonably priced and small portioned. The roasted garlic, chicken teriyaki, and okra were among my favorite. I also tried the quail eggs, shiitake mushroom, asparagus wrapped in bacon, and beef (which was like ground meat). I only wish the shiitake was a little more grilled, it was undercooked. If you are more adventurous, they have different cuts of chicken and beef, and chicken hearts and livers if you like. If you are in a small group or by yourself, I recommend sitting in front of the grills (glass separates you from the smoke and sizzle) because it's fascinating to the watch the cooks rotate the meat, dip in the marinade, clip off the burnt parts with scissors, and manage the grill with all the busy orders flying in. They also serve oden, which you can see stewing right next to the grills, overflowing with broth and variety of vegtables. Other typical dishes, like sushi, yakisoba, miso shiro are all available as well, but I recommend to at least try some of the grilled items, since that's it's specialty. Note that they serve edamame as an appetizer, even if you don't order it but it gets added to the bill. Of course it's obvious this place is good, when the locals who patronize it are of Japanese decent, and it retains authenticity. The head chef can be seen working the customers, socializing and even serving. I will definitely return to this place when I get a chance.

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    Yakitori
    Yakitori - Miso soup and Katsudon......get inside me

    Miso soup and Katsudon......get inside me

    Yakitori

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    Keiko - japanese - Updated July 2026

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