In the age of oversharing, it is rare to find a place like Royal Izakaya that still holds an element of mystery. I first heard of this restaurant through social media and I loved the delicious dishes featured on its Instagram page; however, it still left me wanting more. Intrigued, I clicked on their website and found a unique 8-bit game design, as if it was saying, "this looks cool, but just wait until you come over.” Suffice to say, the payoff of actually visiting is great! There is no signage in the front, just a blue door with a bright red lantern that marks the spot. You can't even peek in from the outside; you have to go through the door to scratch the itch of curiosity.
So before we dive into my experience at Royal Izakaya, I want to provide some context. What exactly is an Izakaya? Izakayas are an informal Japanese pub that traditionally have red paper lanterns out front like the one pictured above. Food is usually shared by everyone at the table and ordered slowly over several courses, comparable to Spanish tapas. The dishes are served when ready, giving customers a steady flow of dishes and drinks throughout the night.
One of the first things I noticed when I walked into Royal Izakaya was a projector on the bar displaying Japanese anime on its exposed brick wall. The decor is a mix of old and modern: an ornate bar, a beautiful design on the ceiling, and pops of color on the walls from Japanese beer signs. The tables are set with candles decorated with sake labels that give off the perfect mood lightning for an intimate dinner.
The menu has an extensive selection of sake and beer, catering to a range of experiences from a fancy occasion to a casual night out. We began the night with a pitcher of draft Kirin Ichiban, which holds about 4 pints. Next we picked a few dishes to kick off the night: the Tuna Guac and the Spicy Crunchy Salmon Roll (both pictured below). The tuna was delectable; I'm talking melt in your mouth type of stuff! The sushi roll packed a punch and had a bit of a kick to it.
Afterwards, we ordered the Shogayaki (Ginger Pork) and the Saba Shioyaki (Grilled Mackerel) off the menu's Yakimono section. The Shogayaki was served in a bowl with a savory ginger sauce. The Saba Shioyaki (on the left) was served with a side of grated daikon ginger radish. The flaky grilled mackerel was seasoned perfectly and easy to pick apart with chopsticks (no knife needed). Both dishes had robust flavors and were a nice bookend to our dining experience at Royal Izakaya.
In this foodie culture of Instagram posts and Travel Channel exposés, it's exciting to know there are still hidden culinary corners to explore.
