Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant: Japanese Dishes for Sake Pairing

I've read a lot of raves from fellow food bloggers about Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurantso when the family was in the area, we decided to try it out.


Izumi has a dark facade hinting that its more of a bar than a restaurant.  But, they have a some menu displays that indicate that they have some food specialties as well.


Despite the cramped space housing at most four tables, the first floor has a cozy feel to it with the yellowish lighting and purple cushioned seats matching the wooden tables. 


Along the staircase towards the second floor is a display of various sake bottles. 


The second floor has a red hue lighting, a DJ area and dancing pole.  I'm told this is were the party gets wild at late hours. 

Food

Potato Salad and Coleslaw

For starters, we had the Potato Salad and Coleslaw which was a good but nothing spectacular.

Miso Soup

The Miso Soupis also mediocre.

HOT Izakaya Plates

Tori Karaage(185 php)

The Tori Karaage has a nice golden brown crunchy coating that encapsulates the juicy chicken meat. 
 

Soy Chicken and Mushroom Gyoza(170 php)

The Soy Chicken and Mushroom Gyoza is an impressive variation to the usual gyoza.  It was exploding with savory and juicy soy chicken and equally tasty mushroom bits.  But, I'd prefer if the shell was slightly thinner.

Japanese Meatballs with Balsamic Teriyaki Sauce(150 php)

This is my first time to try the Japanese Meatballs with Balsamic Teriyaki Sauce.  I don't know if its because its too foreign for my taste buds but the mixture of the meaty flavor with the fragrant yet sweet and salty teriyaki sauce failed to impress me.

COLD Izakaya Plates

♥Spicy Salmon Harumaki (190 php)

TheSpicy Salmon Harumaki is definitely the best dish we ordered for the night.  Harumaki means spring roll in Japanese so it was rolled in those thin clear wrappers similar to the fresh vietnamese spring rolls but filled with lettuces, cucumbers and spicy salmon bits.  We all loved this!  It had the crunch, the freshness and the zing too.

Hot Mains

Pork Tonkatsu (170 php)

The Pork Tonkatsu was cooked with a good crispy coating and a soft and tender pork meat.  But, having tried Yabu and Ma Maison's Tonkatsu, makes this one pale in comparison.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Izumi Sake Bar and Restaurant might be a great place to drink and party but the food alone is not worth the visit.  Perhaps, it gets better when paired with their sake and other alcoholic beverages or maybe just wrong ordering.