Last Visit: December 2024
My Rating: 8/10
Why: Authentic Japanese cuisine in Bologna
Price: €€€/€€€€
Phone: +39 051 0415021
Website: https://www.yuzuya.it/it/
If you think Japanese cuisine is limited to all-you-can-eat sushi served in places decorated with red lanterns and kitschy dragons, run by Chinese entrepreneurs with a very vague idea of Japan, it’s time to question everything you think you know. The next time you decide to "treat yourself to Japanese food" for €20, drinks included, stop, take a deep breath, and think. It’s time to leave behind endless buffets and discover what it truly means to eat Japanese. Thankfully, there’s Yuzuya in Bologna, ready to slap you in the face with the authenticity of its flavors.
Yuzuya: The restaurant redefining Japanese cuisine in Bologna
Yuzuya is not just any restaurant. It’s not the place where you’ll find heaps of sadly rolled sushi served with fluorescent sauces screaming "monosodium glutamate." No, Yuzuya is an oasis for those who want to uncover the true soul of Japanese cuisine, a level that industrial sushi can’t even approach. Founded by Tsuruko Arai and Takako Kawano, two authentic Japanese chefs, Yuzuya has transformed a humble trattoria in the Bolognina district into a corner of Kyoto. It stands as a proud defiance against the logic of mass-market Asian fast food.
Here, they celebrate washoku, the authentic culinary art of Japan. Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, this is not just food—it’s culture, tradition, and a journey through authentic flavors. Yuzuya offers this experience without compromises and without succumbing to Westernized tastes.
Atmosphere and Service: Japanese hospitality with a Bolognese touch
Yuzuya is not a luxury restaurant, nor does it aspire to be one. With a few wooden tables, the atmosphere is simple and intimate. The style closely resembles an authentic Japanese izakaya, without catering to stereotypes. The only noticeable difference is the relatively spacious seating, something you wouldn’t find in a typical Japanese establishment.
The service, provided by Italian staff, is always ready to answer any question with competence. It is attentive yet never intrusive and reflects (intentionally or not) the elegance and composure typical of Japanese culture. In this sense, you’ll be in Italy, but with a little suspension of disbelief, you might feel like you’re in Japan.
During summer, you can enjoy your meal in the small outdoor seating area overlooking Via Niccolò dell'Arca. It’s the perfect place to slow down, savor the food, and appreciate the moment without rushing.
The Menu
The menu stays true—almost uncompromisingly so—to the philosophy of the restaurant: offering the cuisine of an authentic izakaya without making any concessions to Western palates.
From gyoza to takoyaki to tonkatsu, you’ll feel as though you’ve just arrived in Dotonbori, savoring the essence of Japan with every bite.
I have been a regular customer at Yuzuya for years and have tried nearly every dish on the menu, closely following its variations over time. I can confidently say there are no disappointing dishes.
Among the appetizers, I highly recommend the Yuzuya maki, especially if you’re psychologically tied to the conventional sushi typically found in Italy. Starting your meal with these will be an eye-opening experience, introducing you to the authentic flavors of Japanese cuisine and showing you what a true maki made with fresh, authentic ingredients really tastes like.
However, let me warn you: as I learned firsthand during a genuine omakase dinner in Japan, Japanese cuisine leans more toward balance, subtlety, and refined flavors rather than bold or overwhelming tastes. The Yuzuya maki follows this same philosophy. When I say these maki will surprise you, don’t expect fireworks in your mouth. Instead, close your eyes and savor the harmony of flavors and the freshness of the ingredients.
Another appetizer I strongly recommend is the sashimi. Yuzuya is not a seafood restaurant, and Bologna is not Milan (a city famously supplied with the best seafood in Italy). For this reason, I was hesitant for a long time before trying Yuzuya’s sashimi. However, I was pleasantly surprised by a dish that rivals some of the best raw fish dishes available in Italy—and even in Japan.
During my most recent visit (see photo on the left), Yuzuya offered a sashimi selection featuring scallop, salmon, mackerel, and sea bream, all of which were exceptional. Special mention goes to the mackerel, which was truly sensational.
The takoyaki are exactly like the ones you’d find in the street food stalls of Dotonbori, but the gyoza deserve a special mention as well—whether you choose the pork or shrimp variety. Their artisanal dough preparation stands out and makes them a must-try.
If you want to fully immerse yourself in the Japanese dining experience, order a teishoku. This is not just a dish—it’s a harmonious balance of flavors, including a main course, rice, miso soup, and side dishes. It’s the culinary embodiment of a core Japanese cultural concept: balance.
My recommendations are:
Sake Mayo: This dish, featuring salmon with a mustard sauce (see photo below), is so flavorful it might tempt you to lick the plate. However, I have noticed a recent change in the recipe, leaning slightly more toward Western tastes with a richer, bolder sauce. Despite this, it remains a standout option.
Curry Rice: This dish melts in your mouth, releasing an intoxicating aroma of curry that makes it a must-try for any fan of Japanese comfort food.
Tonkatsu: For those seeking a Japanese dish that aligns more closely with Western preferences, the tonkatsu is an excellent choice. This breaded and fried pork cutlet, served with a tangy tonkatsu sauce, is worth the trip on its own. It’s crispy, succulent, and a world apart from failed imitations you might encounter elsewhere. In fact, it’s identical to the tonkatsu I enjoyed as a guest in a home in Yokohama.
Unajyu: This teishoku features grilled eel (see photo below) and is another highlight of Yuzuya’s menu. With eyes closed, you could easily imagine yourself savoring a unagi nigiri in Osaka. To elevate the dish even further, it comes with a delightful citrus omelette infused with the intense flavors of eggs and yuzu, making it an unforgettable choice.
Whether you opt for one of these dishes or venture into other teishoku offerings, you’ll experience a masterful presentation of authentic Japanese cuisine.
Every teishoku is accompanied by a selection of side dishes that elevate the experience: stewed daikon, marinated seaweed, miso soup, and other seasonal delicacies. Each element is crafted with care and love, much like a Japanese mother (or father) would prepare for their family.
Sushi? Only When It Makes Sense
And what about the sushi? Yes, Yuzuya serves it, but only when they can guarantee the quality and freshness of the ingredients. Forget endless rolls of dry rice and frozen fish that fill your stomach but not your heart. Here, sushi is an art form, not filler. Each piece is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, honoring tradition and meeting the expectations of true connoisseurs.
This will disappoint those who think "more is better." The sushi at Yuzuya is for those who value quality over quantity. So, if you’re used to ordering 50 pieces at a time to feed your ego and appetite, this isn’t the place for you.
Beverages: A Toast to Japanese Elegance
Yuzuya boasts a small but excellent selection of premium saké. Prices range from approximately €15 to €50.
The menu provides some details about the characteristics of the various saké offerings, and if that’s not enough, the staff is extremely knowledgeable and happy to assist.
During my last dinner at Yuzuya, I tried a Nigori Cloudy Saké, an unfiltered variety. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy it—it was overly sweet to the point of being cloying. This was entirely my mistake, however, as I chose it while chasing the memory of an exceptional unfiltered saké I had at Yuzuya years ago but foolishly failed to note the name. My advice: opt for drier saké options from the menu unless you know you enjoy sweeter profiles.
Desserts: A Sweet Farewell to Japan
The desserts at Yuzuya are yet another testament to its authenticity. Among the most popular options are:
Dorayaki: Soft, fluffy pancakes filled with anko (a sweet red bean paste). Sweet but not overly so, they’re the perfect way to end your meal.
Mochi: Delicate rice cakes with fillings ranging from traditional anko to ice cream.
During my last visit, my partner and I tried two cheesecakes: yuzu and matcha. Both were excellent and satisfying as cheesecakes.
The yuzu cheesecake was the perfect sweet note (without being overwhelming) to close the meal.
The matcha cheesecake was also outstanding. However, I would have preferred it slightly more bitter, akin to the matcha desserts I loved in Japan. In this case, there was a slight departure from the traditional Japanese flavor profile. That said, the cheesecake itself was still superb.
Yuzuya’s ability to balance authenticity with a touch of innovation makes it a gem in Bologna’s culinary scene, offering a genuine taste of Japan that’s rare to find outside its homeland.
Prices: Quality Comes at a Cost, But It’s Worth It
Let’s be clear: Yuzuya is not as cheap as an all-you-can-eat sushi spot, nor should it be. Here, you pay for quality, not quantity. The cost of a full meal is around €20-30, and it can go higher if you pair your meal with saké. But trust me—it’s worth every cent.
If you want to discover what truly authentic Japanese dining means, Yuzuya is an investment you won’t regret.
Why Yuzuya is an Unmissable Experience
Dining at Yuzuya is like taking a trip to Japan without ever leaving Bologna (I think I’ve made this point clear). It’s an opportunity to experience authentic cuisine, worlds apart from the stereotypes and oversimplifications of the all-you-can-eat sushi industry.
At Yuzuya, tradition is celebrated, ingredients are respected, and you’re offered an experience that transcends food.
So, the next time someone suggests going out for "Japanese food" at one of those low-cost buffets, take them to Yuzuya. It’ll be a cultural and culinary awakening—and hopefully a lesson in humility. Because Japan is not just a label, but an entire world of flavors, traditions, and history. Yuzuya stands as a proud ambassador of that world, right in Bologna.
For non-Bologna residents: Yuzuya is conveniently located just a few meters from the high-speed train station, making it the perfect choice for a day trip to Bologna without the need for an overnight stay.
A Special Mention
Yuzuya is included in the Guida Kenta, a guide to authentic Japanese restaurants in Italy curated by the Italo-Japanese Instagrammer Kenta Suzuki. This endorsement further confirms Yuzuya’s place among the finest representations of Japanese cuisine in the country.
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