Sowado

Such a cool experience! The food is so good and the vibes are so cool - unique setting and sauve clientele. We went to many restaurants where the reviews claimed ‘this was the best meal of my trip.’ Sowado was one of the top 2 spots for us this trip. The food is unique (that tofu dish was wow!), delicious, and artfully crafted. Great drinks too. Not a lot of English spoken (but some!) so we opted for the Omakase menu. However, we asked to see the Japanese only a-la-carte menu and ordered a few items off of it using translations apps. If you really wanted to do a-la-carte only as a non-Japanese speaker, it is technically possible, but the staff will be hesitant and you’ll have to book a resy the Japanese way. I feel the omakase is very worth it and if you want to add a few extra items, view the full menu and choose from there - you’ll be very full though! Can’t wait to come back. Pretty easy to book.

⭐️☆☆☆☆ A serious warning to anyone considering Sowado: this was one of the worst izakaya experiences we've had anywhere in Japan. We’ve dined at 300+ restaurants across 10+ prefectures, and this place stood out for all the wrong reasons — rude service, disorganized operations, and terrible cost performance. We had a confirmed reservation and clearly told the host our name, but instead of checking the list, he looked at us and said: “This is a Japanese restaurant” — in an arrogant, dismissive tone — and impatiently demanded to see the reservation page before seating us. It was one of the most disrespectful greetings we’ve ever received in Japan. Once seated, no one explained the menu or that everything is charged per person, so we had no idea how much to order. Despite having around 8 staff, only 2–3 were cooking, and the food came out painfully slowly — 2 hours for just 6 small dishes, including things like pickles. Every time we tried to ask for help or order more, we were brushed off and told that only one specific person could take orders — and that person was often nowhere to be found. To top it all off, the food was bland and severely overpriced. We were so dissatisfied we had to go back to our hotel and eat again. If you’re looking for a respectful, smooth, and delicious izakaya experience — this is NOT the place. There are countless better options. Do not waste your time or money here.

Good vibes and delicious food. Sensational dinner experience with very tentative service. Everything is prepared in front of you, very impressive immersion of flavours. Came here with reservation, and served delicate food cooked with heart. The fried ham and the grilled fish are particularly memorable, cooked to perfection with chef's kiss. If you can't finish your clay pot rice, they can wrap it into cute rice balls for you to takeaway. The dessert is also very cute with welcoming inscriptions. My only complaint is the white wine was a bit sour.

Amazing staff who was accommodating with some of my food restrictions. It’s really an art and such an intimate vibe. Staff isn’t fluent in English, which wasn’t a problem for me as I was dining in with a local but I’m sure they would try their best!

You wouldn’t have believed it was a restaurant. Might even pass by thinking it’s a garage. But yet, its beauty lies in the inconspicuous entrance that doesn’t shout out. Upon entering, there’s a bar corner that impresses upon you like it’s a speakeasy bar but at the turn of the corner, surfaces a grand display of chefs ready to grill, fry and skillfully whip out those carefully curated dishes. Sit at the chef bar where the action is and it’s probably more quiet. Order the smaller dishes and leave the clay pot rice to the end. Dining time is limited so order the grilled fish / unagi first. There’s ever only 2 chances before dining time is over. Nice place for couple dining but the back rooms also serves private events / dinner.

Very nice place, great vibe, and overall a solid dining experience. Foreigners are limited to a pre-booked set menu, but additional (limited choice) dishes are available to order on the day. Appreciate the effort put into engaging and conversing with our party despite the language barrier :) Even better experience (and food/drink options) if you speak japanese!

Amazing vibe, foods and Super kind staffs. We enjoyed dinner with recommended menus. These dishes included particular and popular menus in the restaurant. We made a reservation very easily by Google maps. It was amazing that they recommended to us perfect paring wine and sake with each dish. We got a very special experience that we could only in Japan. Enjoyable view what they make dishes at the bar seat. Was perfect everything.💓

Great spot for a special occasion dinner! We got the set menu and topped up with the siumai and wagyu as well as a bottle of orange wine. We were seated in front of the kitchen and the chefs tried their best to explain everything to us in English. Really had a great time and would come back if they switched up the menu (just cause we’d like to try new things). Highly highly recommend.