Ottawa, Ontario lacked a premium consistent izakaya location until the debut of Izakaya Shingen location right in Centretown. The brand-new restaurant delivers traditional and contemporary izakaya sharing dishes that represent Japanese cuisine. Shingen serves yaki onigiri, which has been around in Japan for over a millennium. The story behind the dish is that samurais packed them within bamboo leaves during their travels. In modern day, yaki onigiris are portable meals and a staple snack at izakayas.
The restaurant itself eludes a rustic aesthetic with its wooden and cultural decorations. The menu features assorted grilled foods, deep-fried goods, raw fish choices, as well as steamed and simmered options. Some notable menu options include mentaiko udon, which are udon noodles in a creamy spicy cod roe sauce and the dashi chazuke, which is essentially rice bathing in dashi broth, topped with either salmon, octopus or Japanese plum.
Traditional Yakitori Izakayas
Izakaya Shingen Gives Ottawa a Taste of Traditional Japan
Trend Themes
1. Premium Izakaya Locations - Opportunity to create more premium izakaya locations in cities lacking this type of dining experience.
2. Traditional and Contemporary Izakaya Dishes - Opportunity to innovate and create new dishes that blend traditional and contemporary flavors and presentation.
3. Rustic Aesthetic in Restaurants - Opportunity to incorporate rustic and cultural decorations in restaurant designs to enhance the dining experience.
Industry Implications
1. Restaurant Industry - Restaurants can capitalize on the trend by creating premium izakaya locations and offering traditional and contemporary izakaya dishes.
2. Hospitality Industry - Hotels and resorts can consider incorporating izakaya dining experiences in their offerings to attract guests looking for unique culinary experiences.
3. Interior Design Industry - Interior designers can explore the trend of rustic aesthetics and cultural decorations to create unique dining spaces for restaurants.