Top 9 most unique Japanese-style Izakaya pubs in Saigon

1 Mangetsu Shochu Bar

– Address:

+ Branch 1: 27 Thai Van Lung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

+ Branch 2: 15/3 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

– Opening hours: 18:00 – 02:00

– Reference price: Dishes from 50,000 – 400,000 VND

As the name suggests, Mangetsu Shochu Bar is a paradise of premium sake and shochu, ideal for “night owls” who want to enjoy a relaxing night. Although the restaurant’s menu is not too diverse, it focuses on traditional drinking dishes, enough to satisfy the taste buds of the most demanding diners.

Favorite drinking dishes here include live octopus with mustard sauce, oyster sashimi with ponzu sauce and grilled dried stingray dipped in mayonnaise – a trio of “destructive combos” for gourmets. In addition, you can try ramen or oyster hotpot with rich, delicious hotpot broth prepared according to a special recipe. If you are looking for a place to “spend the night” with friends, Mangetsu Shochu Bar will not disappoint you.

2 Izakaya Noodles

– Address: 8A/8D2 Thai Van Lung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

– Opening hours: 17:00 – 03:00

– Reference price: From 16,000 – 450,000 VND

The next shop that Vietnamtravelio wants to introduce to you is Izakaya MIE. Hidden in a small basement, Izakaya MIE is the ideal destination to escape the bustle of the city. With a cozy space and classic design, the restaurant brings a feeling of intimacy but no less unique.

The open kitchen corner right next to the seats helps you enjoy the food while admiring the talented chef’s live cooking. This is the perfect place to stop by after a long day at work or for a relaxing weekend.

The menu at Izakaya MIE impresses with its richness and quality of ingredients. Don’t miss out on special dishes like fatty salmon tacos, fragrant cheese Hamburg, succulent beef steak or delicious cheese-baked crab shells. Although the price is a bit higher than the average, the quality of the food and dedicated service will definitely make you satisfied.

3 Izakaya MATSUKI

– Address:

+ Branch 1: 8A/A20 Thai Van Lung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

+ Branch 2: 18 Thai Van Lung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

– Opening hours: 17:00 – 01:00

– Reference price: From 18,000 – 300,000 VND

If you want to find a quieter izakaya space, Izakaya MATSUKI is the perfect choice. The restaurant has a cozy, luxurious style but not too ostentatious, suitable for gentle meetings. The dishes are prepared to taste and meticulously presented like a work of art, from the kushimori grilled skewer set to the greasy cheese grilled crab shell.

4 Izakaya Me-Tetsu

– Address: 17/25 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

– Opening hours: Monday – Saturday from 17:00 – 00:00; Sunday from 16:00 – 23:00

– Reference price: 60.000 – 200.000 VND

If you want to experience cooking your own food on the spot, come to Izakaya Me-Tetsu right away. The highlight at Me-Tetsu is the octopus cake (takoyaki), where you can pour the cake yourself right at the table. Hot, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside with fresh octopus filling will definitely satisfy you. Besides, dishes such as grilled pork belly skewers filled with marshmallows, Yaki Shabu grilled hot pot or odeng miso soup are all meticulously made, bringing standard Japanese flavors.

See more: Explore Saigon cuisine with the top 10 most unique dishes

5 Izakaya Ten

– Address:

+ Branch 1: 8A/8A1 Thai Van Lung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

+ Branch 2: 17/4 Le Thanh Ton, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

+ Branch 3: 95 Phan Xich Long, Ward 2, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City

– Opening hours: 17:00 – 03:00

– Reference price: From 10,000 – 480,000 VND

Located in the bustling Japanese neighborhood, Izakaya Ten is a familiar destination for those who love the Japanese style of drinking. The shop stands out with a large white sign, simple but easily recognizable black letters and a row of shimmering red lanterns hanging in front of the door. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is cozy, bustling with the laughter and chatter of diners, creating the feeling of being in the middle of bustling Tokyo.

The menu is diverse with typical dishes such as fresh sashimi, creamy potato salad, rich mentaiko egg rolls or hot spicy hot pot. In particular, the homemade apricot wine here is the perfect choice to sip with fragrant grilled skewers.

6 Kawabi Izakaya

– Address: 8A/3B1 Thai Van Lung, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

– Opening hours: 17:00 – 04:00

– Reference price: From 15,000 – 400,000 VND

Hidden in a small corner on Thai Van Lung Street, Kawabi Izakaya makes you feel like you are lost in an authentic corner of Japan. The small, pretty space with low hanging lanterns and artistic samurai posters creates a very unique space. The dishes here have a fusion flavor, a delicate combination of Japanese and American cuisine that will surprise you with the boundless creativity of the chefs here.

7 Shamoji Robata Yaki

– Address:

+ 29-31 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

+ 59 Xuan Thuy, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

+ 08 Dong Khoi, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

+ 135 Nguyen Duc Canh, Tan Phong Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City

– Opening hours: 10:30 – 14:00 | 17:00 – 00:59

– Reference price: 80.000 – 500.000 VND

Shamoji Robata Yaki is one of the outstanding izakaya restaurants with traditional Japanese fishing village style. The restaurant space is decorated with noren curtains, warm wooden furniture and an open kitchen counter, where you can witness the chefs grilling food over a bright red fire.

The extensive menu at Shamoji includes many signature dishes such as fresh sashimi, salads, grilled skewers and yakitori with rich teriyaki sauce. The dishes are not only delicious but also beautifully presented, guaranteed to satisfy even the most demanding diners. With spacious space and friendly staff, Shamoji is the ideal choice for meetings, receptions or family gatherings.

8 Nomu Izakaya

– Address: 152 Nguyen Cong Tru, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

– Opening hours: 11:00 – 14:00 | 17:00 – 23:00

– Reference price: 50.000 – 250.000 VND

Nomu Izakaya has quickly become a favorite destination for Saigon youth thanks to its small but cozy space. With only 20 seats and a central bar, the restaurant creates a close, friendly feeling, especially suitable for dates or meetings with close friends. Luxurious dark gray tones and soft lighting further highlight the sophistication of the space.

The unique feature at Nomu Izakaya is the convenient way to order food using an iPad. If you don’t know what to choose, try seafood gyoza with a crispy crust and fresh filling, or rich, elaborately prepared beef tartare with a strong Japanese flavor.

See more: Saigon travel guide with 24 famous places

9 ZumWhere

– Address: 54 Dong Du, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

– Opening hours: 16:00 – 23:59

– Reference price: 40.000 – 200.000 VND

If you are looking for a spacious and affordable space, ZumWhere is the perfect choice. The restaurant has a modern style with the main color black and brown, airy space with long tables suitable for parties, family gatherings or friends.

ZumWhere not only serves standard Japanese drinking dishes but also stands out with draft beer, an ideal drink to enjoy with grilled and skewered dishes. This is also an ideal place to watch football in a bustling and vibrant atmosphere.

Saigon has no shortage of Izakaya restaurants that offer standard Japanese flavors with a cozy and unique space. Hopefully with the top 9 Izakaya restaurants shared by Vietnamtravelio Travel Guide above, you will find an interesting drinking place.