Zürich · Izakaya · casual
Ooki Japanese Izakaya
Authentic Tokyo izakayaJapanese-ownedFamily-runTatami seatingNo sushiGyozaRamenUdonTokyo-born owner
Ooki in Wiedikon is Zurich's most authentically atmospheric izakaya, owned by Ino Ooki whose Tokyo-born father originally ran a Japanese restaurant here, with a mostly Japanese staff, tatami seating, and a menu that deliberately excludes sushi in favour of gyoza, udon, and donburi.
- Price
- ¥¥
- Area
- Wiedikon (Kreis 3)
- Since
- 2016
- Owner
- Ino Ooki
Plate № 114
About
Ooki is the kind of izakaya that takes effort to find — heavy wooden door, low curtain, and a room that transports you to Japan. Owner Ino Ooki grew up in Zurich with a Japanese father from Tokyo and an Austrian mother; the family's Japanese food culture shaped everything at Ooki. The majority of staff are Japanese or half-Japanese, and Ino visits Japan annually to source products (sake, katsuobushi, tatami mats, bowls) and find menu inspiration. The restaurant deliberately refuses to serve sushi — instead, the focus is on ramen, udon, gyoza, donburi, and Japanese curry, the everyday soul food of Japan. Tatami mat areas give the authentic communal izakaya feel.
Neighborhood & visiting
Ooki Japanese Izakaya sits in Wiedikon (Kreis 3), one of Zürich'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
- The most atmospherically authentic izakaya in Zurich — tatami seating, noren curtain, and Japanese lanterns
- Japanese-majority staff; owner Ino Ooki makes annual sourcing trips to Japan
- Menu deliberately avoids sushi to showcase the breadth of everyday Japanese cooking
- Family legacy: Ino's Tokyo-born father ran a Zurich Japanese restaurant before Ooki
Links
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Frequently asked
About Ooki Japanese Izakaya
- Is Ooki Japanese Izakaya an authentic authentic tokyo izakaya restaurant in Zürich?
- Yes — Ooki Japanese Izakaya is featured in Washoku Guide because it meets our authenticity standard for authentic tokyo izakaya in Zürich: a kitchen grounded in Japanese technique, ingredients and preparation consistent with Japanese practice, and a focused izakaya format.
- Where is Ooki Japanese Izakaya located?
- Ooki Japanese Izakaya is located at Zentralstrasse 53, 8003 Zürich, Switzerland, Zürich, Switzerland in the Wiedikon (Kreis 3) neighborhood.
- Do I need a reservation at Ooki Japanese Izakaya?
- Ooki Japanese Izakaya does not publish an online reservation link. Walk-ins may be possible, but for popular izakaya restaurants in Zürich we recommend calling ahead.
- What is the price range at Ooki Japanese Izakaya?
- Ooki Japanese Izakaya sits in the ¥¥ price range — typical for authentic tokyo izakaya of this format in Zürich.
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