Washoku Guide
Cities/Milan/Donburi/Bentōteca
Milan · Donburi · a la carte

Bentōteca

JapaneseJapanese-ItalianFusionBistroSushiCounter SeatingSant'AmbrogioMichelinWorld 50 Best Discovery

Born in Tottori and forged under Massimo Bottura at Osteria Francescana, chef Yoji Tokuyoshi earned his own Michelin star before reinventing his restaurant as Bentōteca in 2020. The current concept — 'Japanese dining meets Italian wine' — blends horsemeat tataki in pizzaiola sauce, barbecued fish neck, and top-quality sushi in a warm, informal room.

Price
¥¥¥
Area
Porta Ticinese / Sant'Ambrogio
Since
2020
Chef
Yoji Tokuyoshi
Owner
Yoji Tokuyoshi / Tokuyoshi Srl
Bentōteca — authentic japanese restaurant in Milan, Porta Ticinese / Sant'Ambrogio
Plate № 25
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About
Yoji Tokuyoshi arrived in Italy as sous-chef to Massimo Bottura, spent years absorbing the finest of Italian culinary culture, then struck out independently, earning a Michelin star under his own name in 2015. In 2020 he transformed the restaurant into Bentōteca — a Japanese word combining 'canteen' (shokudō) and 'wine bar' (cantina in Italian) — pivoting toward a more casual, personal vision. The current menu reflects a singular chef at ease between two culinary traditions: horsemeat tataki with pizzaiola sauce, barbecued fish neck with friggitello peppers, and a sushi counter where Tokuyoshi or his team slices fish with the precision of long Japanese training. Michelin-listed in 2026 and a World's 50 Best Restaurants Discovery entry, it is one of the most intellectually interesting Japanese restaurants in Italy. Two dinner sittings per service; book well ahead.
Neighborhood & visiting

Bentōteca sits in Porta Ticinese / Sant'Ambrogio, one of Milan's neighborhoods where authentic Japanese kitchens have taken root. Reservations are available online — for a focused donburi counter this is strongly recommended. Check the posted hours before you go — traditional donburi restaurants often close between service periods.

Why it's on Washoku Guide
  • Yoji Tokuyoshi trained under Massimo Bottura and earned his own Michelin star — bringing to the table a culinary perspective no other Japanese chef in Milan can match.
  • The Japanese-Italian hybrid cooking — horsemeat tataki in pizzaiola, sushi from first-rate Italian fish — is witty, precise, and entirely original.
  • World's 50 Best Restaurants Discovery listing confirms international recognition for a restaurant that operates at a price accessible to adventurous diners.

Counter seating facing the kitchen offers a close-up view of sushi preparation. Two dinner sittings per evening; first approximately 19:00–21:00, second from 21:15. Reservations via the bentoteca.com website.

Links
Reserve →Website →Map →Instagram →Michelin →

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Frequently asked

About Bentōteca

Is Bentōteca an authentic japanese restaurant in Milan?
Yes — Bentōteca is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for japanese in Milan: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused donburi format.
Where is Bentōteca located?
Bentōteca is located at Via San Calocero 3, 20123 Milano MI, Milan, Italy in the Porta Ticinese / Sant'Ambrogio neighborhood.
Do I need a reservation at Bentōteca?
Bentōteca accepts reservations online. For an authentic donburi experience, especially at a focused counter, booking ahead is strongly recommended.
What is the price range at Bentōteca?
Bentōteca sits in the ¥¥¥ price range — typical for japanese of this format in Milan.
Keep exploring
All Japanese restaurants in Milan →Donburi in Milan →Authentic donburi worldwide →All cities →