Where to find authentic Japanese cuisine in Milan? Sagami, an internationally renowned Japanese restaurant brand that recently opened its first restaurant in the Lombard capital in Italy, bringing a corner of the Rising Sun in Piazza Duca d ‘Aosta, next to the Central Station.
The mission of Sagami is to try and grasp the true essence of the cuisine of Japan, in particular the Nagoya cuisine “Nagoya-meshi” through a range of menus from appetizers to main dishes, finishing with a charter of varied and very interesting sweets, at great prices. It is therefore worth experimenting with new flavors, to definitively leave behind the stereotype that identifies Japanese cuisine with raw fish.
The environment is simple and bright. The menu, headed by the local mascot, the “pucciosissima” Misocci-san, is complete with photos, to allow anyone, even those who are venturing for the first time in the world of traditional Japanese cuisine, to understand the type of dish that you will order.
In general, the menu is divided between Don – bowls – with rice base; Soba, the main dish of the Sagami chain based on buckwheat pasta to be eaten hot or cold; the Kishimen, a pasta shape that vaguely recalls our noodles and that is very difficult to taste outside of Japan and the Udon, the “spaghettoni.” Some of the dishes can also be ordered in a mini version, to allow the customer to try more at once.
Among the “must try” dishes, in addition to the arduous choice between Soba, Udon and Kishimen, there is the classic Tonkatsu, the Japanese cutlet of pork, present in different variations, and the Unagi don, a bowl with grilled eel marinated on a rice base. The desserts that I recommend are the Tiramisu al Matcha (so far the best ever tried) and the Daifukumochi, a classic Japanese sweet with a gelatinous consistency based on red bean cream.
The service is extremely attentive and kind. Sagami is perfect for a family dinner, with friends, but also as a couple. It is the right place if you are looking for an easy but quality alternative to the “sushino?” or a return trip in the evening to discover another – and little explored – face of Japanese cuisine, that of Izakaya. Chopsticks in hand!