Turin: Asian travel guide - where to eat
Turin is a very fascinating city in my opinion, characterized by a sumptuous and majestic architecture. I love to visit this city for its refined cuisine and, above all, for the nineteenth-century cafes - real political laboratories in which the constitution of the unification of Italy was discussed.
Although the Piedmontese capital is extremely tied to its traditions, at the same time it has shown in recent years that it is open to new gastronomic experiences, as evidenced by the presence of high quality Asian restaurants.
Miyabi
In the shadow of the Great Mother, Miyabi restaurant is the reference point for lovers of elegant and refined Japanese cuisine.
Masanori Tezuka, originally from Kobe, is the chef: after having taken his first steps in the kitchen in Sapporo, he worked in numerous restaurants around the world before arriving in Turin; here he founded the Miyabi Cultural Association (where cooking classes were organized) before turning it into a local.
Miyabi today is a cozy, warm restaurant with few seats, where you can breathe the story of Masa san and rediscover it in his beautiful dishes, which can be enjoyed with the eyes even before the palate. What is particularly striking is the excellent quality raw material, the composition of the dish and the cut of the fish. The dining room staff is attentive, extremely professional and precise: let me advise you on the beverage, you will discover intriguing and delicious sake but also natural wines.
The menu is essential, two main options: Miyabi Tasting and Kaiseki Menu (however, you can order the individual dishes of each menu, if you do not like to opt for a complete itinerary) with a combination of three or five types of sake.
I chose the Kaiseki Menu, the most complete option in my opinion as well as being the emblem of the chef's creativity.
The journey begins with miso aubergines, yuzu daikon and a lotus root tempura with cod surimi, nori seaweed and sakura salt. Following the Hokkaido scallop. Then we arrive at the central dish of the tasting, that is the mixed sushi (simply delicious). Then follow the monkfish liver on daikon (a rare delicacy), unagi don with dashi broth (really moving) and monkfish with Jerusalem artichoke and pumpkin. To conclude, yuzu sorbet with jelly and the dessert of the day, consisting of a yuzu mochi, fresh fruit and a chestnut wafer to lose your mind.
Miyabi confirms itself as a refined and research restaurant, suitable for the most curious palates. The final bill is important but commensurate with the experience and the location. To come back on several occasions to discover the new seasonal creations from time to time.
🌎 htps://www.miyabitorino.com/ 📍Via Villa della Regina 9/A, Turin 📞 011 819 6890💰 $$$$
Miyabi | © Cookingwiththehamster
Kintsugi tea&cakes
Among the numerous historic cafes of Turin, a corner of Japan has arisen for some time. This is a project resulting from the passion of the young tea sommelier Francesca Alessio who, after visiting the land of the Rising Sun, decided to open its doors in the heart of the Piedmontese capital.
Kintsugi takes its name from the very ancient Japanese practice of the same name of reinforcing the pieces of a broken object with gold, making it even more precious and unique. And in fact this truly unique tea room in Turin: the interiors are refined and minimal, the environment is made warm by the use of wood and the counter display amazes customers with colorful sweets made in the basement laboratory - some respect the wagashi tradition, while others are yogashi which include the Piedmontese tradition through the use of local ingredients (such as chocolate and hazelnuts). It is also possible to order a personalized dessert in time, in addition to the possibility of finding vegan sweets.
The selection of tea is treated in detail, you will be delighted by the goodness of the choices in purity, the infusions and milk. Among those tried I point out the unbeatable Uji Shosui matcha and the delicious Organic Black latte with toasted black sesame and coconut milk.
If you are looking for a peaceful corner in the center, this is the right place: simply adorable!
🌎 https://www.facebook.com/kintsugiteandcakes/ 📍 Via Monte di Pietà 17, Turin 📞 011 335 2342 💰 $$$
Kokoroya
In Turin there is a place where once you cross the threshold you are catapulted into Japan, as in a sort of parallel dimension. It is not a dream, but Kokoroya.
Opened in 2011 by Gianluca Sanna and his wife, as well as cook, Yukie Ogawa (originally from Nagoya), Kokoroya is a microscopic foodstuff crammed with kawaii objects and cooking products: you will be overwhelmed by the quantity of objects present, writings, colors and signs, but the beauty is just that.
People come here mainly to take away, but a small counter on the wall can accommodate up to six diners seated on wooden stools. The cuisine is homemade and there is no sushi: you will find above all bentō with tsukune, yakitori, shake teriyaki, korokke, gyoza or ebi fry, but also udon, soba or yakisoba, curry rice, donburi, ramen (shoyu or miso), as well onigiri (with miso and leeks, ume, takuan, katsuobushi or tuna and mayonnaise) and some sweets.
If you want to cook at home, here you can buy various condiments, instant noodles, snacks and small kitchen accessories to make your dishes truly adorable.
I highly recommend a visit to this heart-warming place, get lost in action figures from Super Mario, Galaxy Express 999, Gundam and Doraemon while you grab a bite.
🌎 https://www.facebook.com/KOKOROYA-TORINO-151625421573487/ 📍 Via Piave 9, Turin 📞 011 433 8748 💰 $$$
Ramen-ya Luca
Ramen is one of those dishes that if it makes you fall in love, it completely captivates you. This was the case of the Apulian Gianluca Zambotto, the one who has the merit of having opened the first ramen place in Turin.
The love at first sight with ramen took place in Los Angeles, where Gianluca learned to juggle the kitchens of Japanese restaurants, before visiting the land of the Rising Sun and opening his business in the Piedmontese capital. The fact that he approached Japanese cuisine in California is not a coincidence indeed, Little Tokyo Historic District in Los Angeles is home to the largest Japanese community in the USA - L.A. was the forge and testing ground of many Japanese restaurateurs whose creativity has totally changed the eating habits of people from all over the West, I told you about it here.
Ramen-ya Luca opens its doors in 2014 and immediately stands out for its fatty, tasty and as authentic broths. Gianluca, silent and tireless worker, takes care of every dish with obsessive attention (from broths to garnishes, up to the noodles he buys directly from a Japanese company), making them as faithful as possible to those you can find in a hidden tavern in Tokyo, frequented only by salary man and students.
Do not expect fancy dishes because here you eat in a frank and genuine way: you will be brought dishes made to eat with greed, get dirty and enjoy each bite in silence, as in a sensory journey. The choice is not wide, as in a self-respecting ramen-ya: in addition to some appetizers (gyoza, edamame, karaage, onigiri and tonkatsu), you can choose between shio, shoyu (the best, in my opinion), miso, goma , tantanmen, vegetarian.
Even the place is like this, simple and unpretentious, but it doesn't matter why you come here to experience Japanese ramen, what you eat before returning home on the last train late in the evening or during a lunch break. rapid. Those who have been to Japan will find that informal and disengaged atmosphere, as well as the humility of a great ramen cook.
🌎 https://www.facebook.com/ramenyaluca/ 📍 Via San Domenico 24, Turin 📞 011 765 3240 💰 $$
Takoyaki Minamoto
A corner of Osaka in Turin, this is Takoyaki Minamoto or the reproduction of a Kansai kiosk with many typical street-food specialties. A kawaii place in which Koji Shirai and Federica Cavallaro welcome customers with an intriguing menu and an open kitchen that literally leaves you mesmerized (watching the chef at work is a sight to behold!). The place is very small, so I recommend you book. Alternatively, it is possible to do both take-out and delivery.
Minamoto literally means "beginning" and "origin of things": a name given specifically to the place since it was the first ever in Turin to offer takoyaki, the famous Osaka octopus balls in batter and also protagonists of this place. Here you can enjoy classic or revisited takoyaki (garnished with mayonnaise and lemon, wasabi or ponzu sauce); I recommend the tasting with three sauces of your choice, to try a bit of everything. Pay attention: they will be served very hot just like in Japan! And speaking of authenticity, I can say that these really great takoyaki, stuffed with chunky octopus and made with all the traditional ingredients.
Alternatively, or in addition to what you ordered, you can choose between bento, chicken karaage, tebasaki, onsen tamago, onigiri and even some desserts (such as matcha ice cream and mochi served in different preparations). There is no shortage of Japanese beers and soft drinks and even curious house drinks.
🌎 https://takoyakiminamototorino.it/ 📍Via Giambattista Bogino 17/D, Turin 📞 011 1901 6748 💰 $$
Takoyaki Minamoto | © Cookingwiththehamster
Wasabi
Wasabi is a traditional Japanese restaurant that has been around for several years now and proudly boasts Japanese ownership, staff and chefs.
Once you cross the threshold you will be welcomed into a warm and traditional environment, characterized by the presence of wood and tatami: you can have your dinner sitting at the western table, or sitting in recessed tatami mats which obviously can be accessed by taking off your shoes.
The waitresses all wear kimono and geta and will help you choose the dishes you like best.
The menu (entirely handwritten as often happens in Japan) is rather basic but all the dishes respect tradition and some, in particular, have become the workhorse of the restaurant, such as ramen and especially the sukiyaki.
Among the appetizers tasted there are suzuki ponzu (raw sea bass with ponzu sauce - soy and lemon) and tako wasabi (octopus with horseradish and vinegar sauce): of both I emphasize the freshness of the fish, really excellent. Followed by nasuden (fried eggplant on miso sauce), ideal to accompany with excellent cold sake, unagi ippon (roasted eel roll on rice and avocado), chasoba (buckwheat noodles with green tea), the ramen of the day, made with a thick and tasty paitan broth, shrimp and vegetable tempura. To conclude the dinner, black sesame ice cream and azuki, matcha mochi stuffed with anko.
For a romantic dinner or in the company of friends this restaurant will not disappoint you at all. The final bill is certainly in line with the experience, the characteristic atmosphere and the quality offered. In my opinion Wasabi is approved with flying colors!
🌎 https://www.instagram.com/ristorante_wasabi_torino/ 📍 Corso Francesco Ferrucci 72, Turin 📞 011 447 3812 💰 $$$$
