Yujin Izakaya
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New to the Les Amis Group, Yujin Izakaya is a lively haunt along Zion Road. The sake-focused bar is run by a husband-and-wife duo and furnished in industrial chic trimmings, with an open kitchen in its black and copper space. Framed scenes from Japanese manga (comics or graphic novels) hang from the walls, a show of chef-owner Freddie Lee’s keen interest in the art.
The place takes inspiration from a traditional Japanese izakaya and runs like a no-frills watering hole, except the food here is well thought out (you won’t find basic truffle fries on the menu). Think grilled skewers, meat dishes, and udon bowls. You can start off with a cold platter of Nama Yasai ($7), made with shaved raw asparagus and cauliflower in a vinegar-based seaweed dressing, or nibble on truffle chawanmushi ($15) and Katsu Sando ($16), a mustard sandwich with thick-cut beef katsu.