Brussels · Izakaya · a la carte
Yoka Tomo
Michelin Bib Gourmand izakayachawanmushisake-marinated shrimpset menusouthern Japan
Yoka Tomo earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 under Japanese chef Tomoyuki Ohara, who crafts small plates rooted in the casual dining culture of southern Japan. The Japanese Embassy in Belgium confirmed Ohara's award-winning role, and the restaurant is endorsed by Brussels' Japanese expat community as genuine B-grade Japanese comfort food.
- Price
- ¥¥
- Area
- Schaerbeek
- Chef
- Tomoyuki Ohara
- Owner
- Tomoyuki Ohara / Jérémy Rommelaere / Arnaud Marchal
Plate № 24
About
Yoka Tomo occupies a special position in Brussels' Japanese dining scene: it is the only Michelin Bib Gourmand-recognised izakaya in Belgium, and the award was confirmed directly by the Japanese Embassy in Brussels. Japanese chef Tomoyuki Ohara leads the kitchen, having previously worked at Yamato and Saké Bar before opening his own concept in the Schaerbeek neighbourhood with Belgian co-owners Jérémy Rommelaere and Arnaud Marchal. Ohara's food is rooted in southern Japan's B-grade (B級) culinary tradition — unfussy, deeply flavoured, honest cooking: chawanmushi (silky egg custard), sake-marinated shrimp, small sharing plates, and set menus at excellent value. The restaurant is consistently cited by Japanese expats working in Brussels as one of the most authentically Japanese addresses in the city.
Neighborhood & visiting
Yoka Tomo sits in Schaerbeek, one of Brussels's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. The house does not publish an online booking link; call ahead to secure a seat, especially on weekends. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional izakaya restaurants often close between service periods.
Why it's on Washoku Guide
- Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 — the award confirmed by the Japanese Embassy in Belgium, a uniquely authoritative endorsement
- Chef Tomoyuki Ohara brings southern Japan's B-grade culinary tradition to Brussels: honest, deeply flavoured, deeply Japanese
- Endorsed by Brussels' Japanese expat community as a true representation of everyday Japanese restaurant culture
- Outstanding value for money — Bib Gourmand recognition means high quality at accessible prices
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Frequently asked
About Yoka Tomo
- Is Yoka Tomo an authentic michelin bib gourmand izakaya restaurant in Brussels?
- Yes — Yoka Tomo is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for michelin bib gourmand izakaya in Brussels: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.
- Where is Yoka Tomo located?
- Yoka Tomo is located at Avenue Félix Marchal 26-28, Schaerbeek, Brussels 1030, Belgium, Brussels, Belgium in the Schaerbeek neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Yoka Tomo?
- Yoka Tomo does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in Brussels we recommend calling ahead.
- What is the price range at Yoka Tomo?
- Yoka Tomo sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for michelin bib gourmand izakaya of this format in Brussels.
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