Amagaki, the Japanese bistro spirit in Geneva
An izakaya is defined as a relaxed Japanese bistro, a place where people gather after work to consume and share a simple moment with colleagues or friends. That’s the spirit you’ll find at Amagakiand perhaps a little more.
A journey
The journey begins as soon as you enter. The paintings on the walls, the decor of the bar, the attire of the staff – all these meticulous details evoke Japan. The illusion is soft and pleasant: in the heart of downtown Geneva, you change air in just a few steps. In the muffled hubbub and warm atmosphere, you immediately feel at home. At lunchtime, a single waiter orchestrates the service. Smiling, helpful and efficient, he knows his job and carries it out with brio and sustained attention. His presence contributes to the balance of the place, discreet but essential.
Here, we share appetizing starters: the tone is set. A cucumber salad, spiced up with perfectly balanced Asian seasonings, reminds us just how eloquent simplicity can be. The vegetarian gyozas are immediately appealing. Grilled and golden on one side, tender and melt-in-your-mouth on the other. The vegetable tempuras, with their light, airy batter, are served hot and crispy. From the very first plate, the taste buds are awakened and the desire to continue, to taste more, naturally sets in.
Umami moment
For the main course, a miso-lacquered eggplant, shiny and appetizing, reveals precise cooking and melting flesh. The coating sauce reveals all the depth of miso and its delicate, controlled umami taste. As a side dish, a small coleslaw salad brings freshness and crunch, while the white rice and egg complete the plate with simplicity. A generous, well-balanced, comforting dish that prolongs this taste journey to Japan.
Amagaki is well worth a visit. For a lunch that’s a change from everyday life, for a dinner with friends, for the pleasure of sharing several Japanese specialties and letting the conversation flow. For the duration of a meal, Geneva fades into the background, and you find yourself elsewhere, in a friendly, tasty Japanese interlude.
