Hanazen — Restaurant in Phaya Thai Subdistrict

The feeling of eating in a small, remote, family-owned and operated Izakaya restaurant used to be something only available in Japan. However, Hanazen is one of the few places that has perfectly recreated an authentic Japanese Izakaya restaurant within the Ari district, one of the foodie hotspots in Bangkok. Serving up real and authentic Japanese food, Hanazen is located on Soi Aree 5, in an old two-story house that has been converted into the restaurant. As it’s located in Ari, space is very limited, thus there are only two car parks available in front. However, the space limitation is not an issue once you enter, as the owners have somehow made the small space feel spacious and simply cool, transporting you from the concrete jungle of Bangkok to a remote village in Japan, with its aged wooden floors and tables and white walls, to the simple but effective use of a variety of white fabric as divider curtains to create a sense of privacy.

The staff are very attentive and welcoming, confirming your reservations upon entering, before guiding you to your designated seats, and then bringing over the menu, which is a collection of paper on a wooden clipboard, continuing to foster the wooden Japanese theme. The menu is an extensive collection of light meals, salads, fries, pot rice, soba, and some fusion items. They also have an array of sake and beer drinks available.

All the food served was delicious and well-made. The Mentaiko & Cream Cheese with toast (180B) was an interesting combination of salty and creamy and goes perfectly with crusty toast. The Kanpachi Sashimi with Sesame Sauce (550B) was fresh, and the sesame sauce was an interesting approach to eating sashimi compared to the usual soy sauce. The Aka Yukke Honmaguro Toro & Avocado (380B) was heavenly and a fun way to eat. The Salmon & Ikura Pot Rice (550B) provides some carbs to the light meal; the salmon was well-cooked and delicious, especially the crispy rice bits along the corners of the clay pot. Finally, the Matcha Pudding (90B) provides a light sweetness to end the delicious meal.

A very delicious Japanese joint executed perfectly, and at the right price. I highly recommend it to all, and I will certainly be revisiting...

Hanazen offers a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of an old wooden house. The staff is attentive and provides excellent menu recommendations.

Dishes Tried:

Grilled Beef Tongue: Fragrant, tender, crispy, and delicious. Pot Rice with 3 Kinds of Shellfish: The rice is moderately flavored and the butter tends to overpower the shellfish aroma. Boiled Hotaruika with Vinegar Miso: The dressing has a strong, bold flavor with pronounced sour and sweet notes. Shima Aji with Sesame Ponzu: The fish has a good texture, and the ponzu sauce balances the richness, making it enjoyable beyond just a couple of bites. Seared Nodoguro Temaki Sushi: The best dish of the meal. Recommended by the staff, and it truly was the highlight of the dining experience. Wrapping Olive Salmon Norimaki: An average dish, nothing particularly standout. Mahata Usuzukuri with Uni Shoyu: The fish has a good texture and a balanced, simple flavor using Murasaki uni. Aka Yukke Honmaguro Toro & Avocado: This dish is quite rich with both raw egg and avocado.

Overall, Hanazen offers a variety of dishes with good service. While some dishes were average, the Seared Nodoguro Temaki Sushi stood out as the most delicious...

A Hidden Gem in Ari for Over a Decade — Hanazen

Hanazen has been part of the Ari neighborhood for over 10 years now, quietly serving some of the most heartwarming, homestyle Japanese food you’ll ever try. It’s not just a restaurant it truly feels like dining at a close friend’s home.

I’ve been a loyal fan for years and still find myself going back at least twice a month. The food is consistently top-notch, no doubts about it. Just a heads-up though: the queue is long and the place is small, so it’s best to book at least a week in advance!

What makes Hanazen even more special is the warm and friendly staff. The whole vibe is like visiting a close friend’s house where you feel genuinely welcomed and cared for in such a comforting, effortless way.

One important note: the Japanese owner is very passionate about his cooking. He puts his heart into every dish and takes it personally if you leave food unfinished. So please, only order what you can truly enjoy it’s a sign of respect for the chef and the beautiful work he does.

I can’t recommend this place enough. If you haven’t tried Hanazen yet, make sure you do at least once in your life. You’ll understand why...