Opened February 2024 in the centre of Prague, Izumi is a small, authentic Japanese restaurant that dares not to serve sushi – here it’s all about the curry.
Prices correct as of February 2024.
A 200ml glass of house red was 120 Kč. A gin and tonic 140 Kč. A carafe of tap water 30 Kč.
Normally, we’d start with sushi, gyoza or okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake) and if you want that then you’ll need to go to Mash Hana. We chose a chicken katsu curry (270 Kč standard or 305 Kč large) and a fried cod curry (280 Kč standard or 315 Kč large).
These were the ‘standard’ dishes and we should have gone for large – firstly because we hadn’t had a starter, but also because we enjoyed it and wanted more.
The curry sauce was, I think, the same for both dishes. Japanese curry sauce is different to Indian as it’s typically made using curry powder and soy sauce, thickened with a roux. It’s less spicy.
The weirdest part of the restaurant is the route to the toilets. Our waitress took me outside into the street, unlocked a large door that opened into a corridor, along the corridor, left through some doors and down some cellar stairs to two cubicles; one men, one women. After that, it was relatively easy to find my way back unaided. There is some attraction in the quirkiness in this arrangement, but for me, I want easy access to wash my hands, use the facilities, floss etc. And I’d feel awkward to keep asking the staff for assistance.
All the staff were really friendly and helpful. We enjoyed our visit and I hope you will too.
Izumi
Jungmannova 8
110 00 Prague
Czech Republic
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