HIKARI - Café Restaurant Bar — Restaurant in Zurich

In a few words: interesting, overpriced, disappointing. I discovered this place walking by to get ice cream and was excited and curious at the prospect of vegetarian (largely vegan) Japanese food. The beautiful decor and elegant setting further incited me to find my way back for dinner. We sat by the window and decided to begin our experience with their plum wine with soda—something we’d really enjoyed after trying it for the first time at another local spot. Here, despite being 30% more expensive than at other spots, it tasted watered down (we could barely sense the wine). Next we tried the gyozas—2 of each flavor so we could try them all in a single order of 6. They were perfectly crispy and steaming hot. The tofu zucchini one was tasty but lacked flavor. The cheese and cauliflower one barely tasted like either of these things and was rather more of a ginger gyoza with a cheesy aftertaste. The eggplant one was unique and surprisingly flavorful—we really enjoyed it. Next came the ramen: Tantan and Midori. Both were beautifully plated and looked delicious, but both were disappointingly bland and the Tantan was lacking toppings. My point of comparison is other vegan ramens I’ve had in Zurich. There are some non veggie spots out there that shocked me with how flavorful their vegan ramen were, and given that this place was exclusively vegetarian, I expected to be blown away. However, despite paying more for the ramen than at any other spot I’ve been to in Zurich (and probably anywhere else for that matter), it was the blandest, least enjoyable, and least generously portioned ramen I’ve had in the city. The main redeeming factor were their noodles-they were outstanding and cooked to perfection. I also found the Midori ramen surprising and unique. Had it had a more flavorful broth, it could have been fantastic. Service was quite good—speedy and friendly. And, again, the place is lovely. However, you’ll be overpaying (even for Zurich standards) for food that is not worth it. And you’re bound to leave feeling...

Lost in Fusion: An Underwhelming Foray into Vegan Japanese Fare

A vegan Japanese restaurant in Zurich sounded like a gastronomic dream waiting to unfold, and our anticipation was piqued. However, the reality that greeted us was less of a dream and more of a stark reminder that good intentions don’t always translate to a satisfying meal.

The culinary offerings were unremarkable, straying far from the authentic Japanese essence we had envisaged. Instead, we found ourselves navigating through a perplexing fusion menu that seemed to miss the mark on both fronts. The dishes lacked the unique, delicate flavors that often define Japanese cuisine.

The service was another sore point of our experience. The absence of warmth or a welcoming demeanor from the staff was palpable, casting a chill on the dining experience. In a culture celebrated for its hospitality, the lackluster service we encountered was a disheartening juxtaposition.

As for the ambiance, the restaurant's interior evoked more of a university canteen than a serene, Japanese-inspired haven. The stark, impersonal setting did little to enhance the dining experience, further distancing us from the cultural immersion we had hoped for.

In summary, the venture into vegan Japanese cuisine in Zurich was a concept ripe with potential but was unfortunately marred by mediocre food, indifferent service, and an uninspiring ambiance. The journey from a promising idea to a memorable dining experience seemed to have gotten lost somewhere in the fusion, leaving us with a taste of disappointment instead of a...

Very good food and interior design, very arrogant attitude of the manager (the man who wears the earrings). We share a long table with other two ladies, separated by two chairs. We have two friends who spontaneously wanted to come and say hi, and have planned to leave if there are no available seats, but this manager came to us immediately in a angry and arrogant attitude:”They can’t sit here. There is no spontaneous in Switzerland. This is the Swiss policy. In the lunch time the restaurant is very full.”and there is an unreserved table just next to us. I doubt there is racism and something discriminating behind since we are not European.

Then the two ladies were very happy to let us use these two chairs and commented “What’s his problem?”. The man, again, interrupted:”I work here. I decide who can sit.” I guess he must have been living a very unhappy life to behave like this.

Most funny thing: In the end he told me he is not Swiss. After 2 years living in Zurich, I found it’s interesting how some people take advantage of their whiteness as a tool to discriminate against non white people, while bringing shame on...