Ottawa Izakaya Recommendation Must-Visit Japanese Pub

Drove over 4 hours from Toronto to Ottawa Searched through Red for food recommendations beforehand Chose this izakaya near our hotel After a long drive, nothing beats relaxing with some skewers and sake! 🏮Izakaya Shingen 📍201 Bank St, Ottawa (Downtown location) 💡Pro Tip: Make reservation - always packed at night! 🍛 Curry Tonkatsu Don | $15.5 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The crispy pork cutlet with slightly spicy Japanese curry was amazing! Perfect thickness with juicy meat. Pickled radish side dish balances the richness. 🍢Yakitori Skewers | $3-5 each Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ▪️Idako octopus | $4: Chewy texture with shichimi spice ▪️Ebi shrimp | $5: Plump but overpriced ▪️Zucchini | $3 (Skip): Dry and not worth the price 🐟Aburi Shimesaba | $12 Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ Initially fishy? Paired with warm sake it transforms! The torched mackerel releases incredible umami. Squeeze lemon for perfection. Ultimate drinking snack! 💸Average: $35-50 (with drinks) ✨Verdict: Cozy authentic vibe with consistent quality. Perfect for after-work drinks. Ask servers about daily specials - they're super helpful! #OttawaEats #CanadianJapaneseFood #IzakayaHopping #TorontoFoodie #EpicureanAdventure