Kumo Izakaya - Japanese Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Biel/Bienne

Asian restaurants in Switzerland are usually way overpriced and not authentic. Kumo Izakaya amazed me in both ways: the food was authentically delicious, and they are even reasonably priced. Overwhelmed by the seemingly good choices on the menu, I asked for recommendations. The owner suggested that people usually like the rice bowls, the curry dishes, and ramen. The Katsudon, fried pork steak with onions and eggs, was indeed very very good. I added two grilled chicken skewers which were also yummy. I also like the Hong Kong style ice tea. Plus, the owner and the chef were all very welcoming, warm, humble, some of the nicest people I have ever met. A perfect place for food after...

This April I was in Japan for the first time and since coming back, I have missed the food and the general ambiente of a Japanese Izakaya very much. The Hojicha was delicious and a very nice combination to the Katsudon I had. The portion size was perfect and I had a Matcha Mochi glace as a desert. It really felt like I was back in Japan, especially with the Japanese music playing softly in the background. I was there Sunday around 18:30 and it was still quite empty. There were some reservations but plenty of open seats for walk ins.

The staff was very kind and when I come back to Biel, I will...

The Japanese equivalent of an Italian neighbourhood trattoria or a French bistrot/brasserie. No fancy and overpriced sushi, Kobe beef or poisonous fish. Just honest, well cooked and nicely presented everyday food. Absolutely exquisite, tasty, and at the end you feel good. The kind of place you want to keep a secret, but that would be unfair and the owners need all the publicity they can get: it's out of the way (relatively speaking) and it just started. I live two hours away but next time in Biel/Bienne...