The best Japan in Milan

As the opening of Expo Milano 2015 is approaching, in the next few weeks we will offer a series of small guides, a compass for the rich offer in Milan’s restaurant scene, without marks or shortlists, as in our style.

To begin with, we’ve chosen one of the most beloved international cuisines, and one of the best represented, in terms of quality and quantity, in the town’s culinary scene. Follow our recommendations and you’ll make no mistake.

- Iyo, Via Piero della Francesca 74 (+39.02.45476898)
The first Japanese restaurant in Italy to achieve one Michelin star, November 2014: patron Claudio Liu is Chinese-Italian while Japanese Hauro Ichikawa and Italian Lorenzo Lavezzari guide the kitchen till last March in an original meeting of Mediterranean and Land of the Rising Sun. Now with Ichikawa we find Hiroshi Noda and Masaki Okada.

- Poporoya, Via Eustachi 17 (+39.02.29406797)
The first sushi restaurant in Milan is a small and popular place that doesn’t accept reservations. Dishes are interpreted in a strictly traditional way, without compromises.

- Basara, Via Tortona 12 (+39.02.83241025 ) and Corso Italia 6 (+39.02.72020141)
Hirohiko Shimizu and Danilo Migliarese successfully launched an original “sushi and pastry” format, and recently doubled their presence in town.

- Wicky's, Corso Italia 6 (+39.02.97376505)
Chef Wicky Pryan from Sri Lanka recently changed location for his restaurant, yet he did not change his style, thanks to which he starts from classic Japanese food and renovates it with elegant creativity.

- Fukurou, Via Trivulzio 16 (+39.02.40073383)
This restaurant stands out in Milan thanks to its authentic and traditional style. Chef Ninomiya Yoshikazu attentively follows Kaiseiki principles and counts on a team entirely formed by Japanese members.

- Finger's Garden, Via Keplero 2 (+39.02.606544)
Even the most trendy and fashion-oriented Milan appreciates the refined restaurant of Japanese-Brazilian Roberto Okabe. The chef presents a cuisine based on a Brazilian creative soul interpreted with Japanese rigour.

- Yuzu, Via Lazzaro Papi 2 (+39.02.87087152)
This restaurant is in Porta Romana, guided by Yoko Matsuda, one of the very few women-chef from Japan in town. It offers a contemporary interpretation of the classics from the Land of the Rising Sun.

- Osaka, Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi 68 (+39.02.29060678)
Chef Ikeda Osamu is one of the most attentive interpreters of Japanese tradition in Milan, as confirmed by the large number of Japanese guests. Ramen is one of the house specialties.

- Yoshi, Via Parini 7 (+39.02.36591742)
Yoshinobu Kurio is both chef and patron, and the name itself reclaims the authenticity of the cuisine, based on raw materials Yoshi personally selects with the greatest attention.

- J's Hiro, Via Vittadini (+39.02.58320038)
This small, minimalist restaurant aims at offering a simple and purely Japanese cuisine: the menu is varied and the offer changes daily, allowing for some creative creations.