Emoraya

Emoraya is the Japanese restaurant that anyone who has visited Japan longs to find back home. If you think Japanese food begins and ends with rice and raw fish, think again: here you can discover an authentic dining experience showcasing traditional home cooking inspired by regional recipes and surprising flavours. In Milan, you can count on one hand the places that, like Emoraya, are dedicated to introducing the full breadth of Japanese cooking, featuring not just seafood, but expertly prepared vegetables, meat and pulses. Every region of Japan has its own specialties, and here they come alive, bringing to the table a side of Japanese cuisine that is far removed from clichés.

The atmosphere is minimalist and relaxing, with white walls, light wood furnishings and touches of greenery that evoke nature. A warm welcome and polite, smiling service that is formal yet unpretentious, in true Japanese fashion, round off the visit.

The menu changes regularly to offer new specialties. Highlights not to miss include Karaage, crispy marinated fried chicken, the delicious Unadon, glazed eel on a bed of rice served with dashi broth, and potato salad, which, surprise surprise, is a beloved staple of Japanese comfort food. Alongside these comes an intriguing spread of fermented and pickled vegetables, plus creative plates like prawn and fish milt rolls, salmon cheek and select raw fish. To round off the meal, there is a refined selection of sake, Japanese beers and international wines, followed by desserts ranging from traditional discoveries like Zenzai, a sweet red bean soup with mochi, to familiar favourites like Tiramisù with matcha tea.

In the evening at Emoraya, you can choose between the à la carte menu and the omakase, a seasonal tasting menu that guides you through the restaurant’s signature flavours, while at lunchtime a selection of set menus offers an affordable way to sample several dishes. You can sit at the counter for an immersive front-row experience, or at the tables, wrapped in an understated elegance designed for lingering.