japanese Archives - Portugal Confidential

Not Your Usual Sushi Counter: The Rowdy Joy of Kureiji Izakaya

Ann Abel — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:24:20 +0000

In a city where high-end sushi spots seem to be proliferating, it’s refreshing to find one that’s as much over a casual, even messy good time as Kureiji Izakaya. The bustling counter-service restaurant on one of the trendiest streets in Cais de Sodré quickly became a go-to for people who want a top-quality Japanese experience without all the seriousness and sanctimony. At the helm is chef João Francisco Duarte, who had already made a name for himself in sushi circles […]

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Mimi, Curated by Yakuza – Chef Olivier Presents Omakaze

Ann Abel — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:33:02 +0000

It’s big news whenever serial chef-preneur Olivier da Costa opens a new restaurant, and his latest in Lisbon is no exception. While he was not the first to jump on the city’s—or global—omakase trend, he’s executing it with a great deal of his trademark glamor. Mimi, whose full name is Mimi, Curated by Yakuza, is unafraid of grandeur. Guests enter through a low-lit bar with two small tables, where they can wait for their date while sipping a crafted cocktail. […]

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Mizu Teppanyaki – Fine Art of Japanese Dining, at Vila Vita Parc

Greg Boegner — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 08:36:00 +0000

At Vila Vita Parc, culinary excellence is a way of life, and Mizu Teppanyaki continues to raise the bar for Japanese gastronomy in the Algarve. Recognized by the Michelin Guide, this elegant dining experience merges authentic Japanese tradition with contemporary sophistication — all against the mesmerizing backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. With a design that evokes Zen minimalism, Mizu’s serene atmosphere balances polished wood, subtle lighting, and ocean views, creating an ideal setting for a sensory journey through Japan. Under […]

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KAN.JO Asian Fine Dining & Sushi Bar at Algarve Marriott Salgados

Greg Boegner — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 11:10:52 +0000

KAN.JO at the Algarve Marriott Salgados Resort & Spa is where Asia’s culinary artistry meets Portugal’s soul. The name itself—kanjo, meaning feeling, emotion, or sentiment in Japanese—sets the tone for an experience designed to stir the senses. From the very first bite to the last lingering sip, KAN.JO invites guests on a gastronomic journey that balances tradition with daring innovation. The setting is every bit as captivating as the cuisine. Perched on the resort’s top floor, the restaurant unfolds in […]

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Omakase Wa – Japanese Cuisine in Harmony, in Lisbon

Ann Abel — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 10:07:43 +0000

To be sure, there are more (and ever more) sophisticated omakase restaurants around Lisbon. But this chef’s-choice sushi restaurant between Principe Real and Avenida Liberdade charms diners with the earnestness, joy, and obvious pleasure in serving of the team behind it. Sushi chef Ashik Yonjan and his two partners in service and beverages spent three years traveling from Japan to England to Canada before opening their 10-seat counter in Lisbon. They chose the name “Wa” because it’s a Japanese word […]

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Ajitama Noodle Temple – Authentic Ramen in Chiado, Lisbon

Ann Abel — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 14:30:05 +0000

António Carvalhão and João Azevedo Ferreira, owners and chefs of Ajitama, really know their ramen. Having lived and worked in China and Japan, they fell in love with the cuisine and made a point of bringing it back to Portugal in the most authentic way possible. And so, what started as a supper club in a private apartment turned into a ramen bar in Saldanha in 2018, and expanded into a full-on ramen temple in the heart of Chiado in […]

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Kanazawa – Michelin Star Japanese Fine Dining in Lisbon

Ann Abel — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:48:51 +0000

Some 30 years ago, Japanese sushi chef Tomoaki Kanazawa was invited to be the chef of the Japanese embassy in Lisbon. From that post, he went on to open a restaurant that turned out sophisticated sushi for just eight guests at a time. Eventually the reins were passed to Paulo Morais, who for the past 30 years, has been one of the first and most committed Portuguese chefs to dedicate themselves to sushi. After several internships in Japan, as well […]

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Kabuki at the Four Seasons Ritz in Lisbon

Ann Abel — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 00:04:18 +0000

In Spain, Kabuki is well-known for its Japanese-Mediterranean fusion—the original, in Madrid has a Michelin star. Recently, the brand made its arrival in Lisbon. It landed in an enviable location, in the Galerias do Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, a subterranean space that had been going unused. In less than a year, Chef Paulo Alves and the team earned a Michelin Star. Although front of house is minimal in design, behind the scenes the attention is on maximum quality. Chef […]

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