Jah Izakaya & Sake Bar represents a beloved Japanese restaurant style – the izakaya – in Copenhagen.
The Izakaya might most easily be described as a Japanese tapas bar or gastropub. The tradition has its origins in sake shops that allowed customers to drink on site: “i” means “stay” and “zakaya”means “sake shop” . These evolved into lively, democratic restaurants where anyone could share servings inspired by almost all styles of Japanese cuisine – from street food to sushi and sashimi – and choose from a vast selection of ice-cold beer, wine, and, of course, sake.
SOUL FOOD
In 2016 one of the first Japanese restaurants in Copenhagen, Omonim had to close down because of a well deserved retirement of the original owners. Their daughter Ulla Inoue and her husband Satoru, together with their two long time friends decided to inherit the restaurant. Ulla who was the daughter of a lineage of izakaya owners, grew up in an environment with strong ties to the rich culinary culture of Osaka. Back home in Copenhagen, where the restaurant scene was booming, they wondered why the Japanese izakaya style was not that well known and this became the beginning of Jah Izakaya & Sake Bar.
Their restaurant is a faithful interpretation of the izakaya that embraces the idea of a harmonious combination of local Danish biodynamic and organic produce, with authentic Japanese izakaya recipes. In addition to serving a permanent list of classic dishes like fried chicken (karaage), sashimi, agedashi tofu, and gyoza, our chefs craft a constantly rotating “seasonal menu” that draws on the best seasonal ingredients and the most pristine seafood on the market.
The eating experience is simple and unintimidating. Order some dishes to share, have as many drinks as you like, enjoy the Jah music which represents our love for reggae, and don’t worry about behaving yourself too much. An izakaya can be many things, but never boring.
MENU
All dishes are served with no particular order - a typical japanese izakaya style.We recommend 3-5 dishes per person and sharing.
THE CLASSICS
Edamame
45 kr.
Steamed Rice
40 kr.
High grade Koshi Hikari rice.
Gyoza
110 kr.
Japanese dumplings with organic pork (5 pieces).
Potato Salada
70 kr.
Japanese style organic potato salad.
Sashimi
210 kr.
The chef’s choice of fresh fish. Ask staff for more information.
Ai’s Kimchi
60 kr.
Our homemade kimchi.
Agedashi Tofu (also available vegan).
95 kr.
Fried tofu with our own dashi by Shinya Ito.
Ika Ichiyaboshi
110 kr.
Grilled and semidried line-caught squid with Japanese mayo.
Tori no Karaage
145 kr.
Japanese deep fried chicken from Hopballe Mølle.
Gyutataki
135 kr.
Japanese style organic beef carpaccio with yuzu vinaigrette and Japanese mayo.
Gyukatsu
220 kr.
Japanese style deep fried organic beef steak in panko.
THE SEASONALS
Jah Rice
75
High grade koshi hikari rice with trout roe
Tara Nanbanzuke
120 kr.
Fried cod in sauce with rice vinegar
Kinoko
120 kr.
Stir fried mushrooms with garlic and soy
Salada
80 kr.
Crispy, seasonal, salad
Karei Shiokoji Yaki
160 kr.
Charcoal grilled halibut.
Vegan Gyoza
110 kr.
Dumplings with mushrooms and tofu (5 pcs.).
Tai Gomayuzu
150 kr.
Raw sea bream with yuzu and sesame.
Buta no Kakuni
120
Slow-braised pork belly with soft egg.
The Specials
Today's special dishes. Ask staff for more info.
DESSERT
Houjicha Ice Cream
50 kr.
Ice cream from roasted, green tea.
Seasonal Sorbet
50 kr.
Ask the staff for details.
SET MENUES
OMAKASE Tasting Menu
495 kr.
- Tai Gomayuzu
- Salada
- Tara Nanbanzuke
- Kinoko
- Gyutataki
- Gyoza
- Tori no Karaage
- Karei Shiokoji Yaki
- Buta no Kakuni
- Houjicha Ice Cream
The chef’s selection of a balanced tasting menu (also available in a pescetarian version). Price is per person and minimum order is two menus.
SAKE Tasting Menu
220 kr.
Try three kinds of sake along with your food.
OUR HEAD CHEF
Gentaro Kimura
Head Chef at Jah Izakaya
Our humble shadow samurai who has been the loyal wingman since the beginning of Jah.
Gentaro’s origin is from the most southern part of Japan called Kyushu, where people are known for their tenacity and kindness.
Gentaro and our amazing kitchen staff team is the spirit that provides the authenticity and creativity of the Jah soul food.
DRINKS
WINE
France, Spain, Italy...
Jah Izakaya & Sake Bar offers a small, but carefully selected wine list of small house producers of delicious natural and organic wines. We have chosen to source our wines from some of Copenhagens best specialised wine importers within the field, and natural wine is a good match with the style of food served at Jah Izakaya & Sake Bar.
Red, white, sparkling or orange, we want our wines to reflect the attitude of the kitchen: clean, honest, well made and delicious.
SAKE
Japan
Japanese izakayas and sake belong together. Sake is a sophisticated and very nuanced product with a delightful uplifting effect which, in contrast to most traditional wines, is perfectly complimentary to the subtle flavours of Japanese cuisine – especially Izakaya.
Jah Izakaya & Sake Bar offers a wide selection of sake - from high end Junmai to the unique, unfiltered “natural sakes”.
If sake alone is not enough, our list also includes a fine selection of Shōchū and Japanese whisky.
JAH-BEER
Bornholm
Jah Izakaya & Sake Bar also loves beer, why we have developed a unique beer in collaboration with the magnificent Beer Here and Penyllan Brewery on the Danish island Bornholm.
Jah Beer is a light IPA with notes of fresh yuzu and Japanese hops that compliments the flavors of the food of Jah perfectly. Best served as draft beer in a frozen glass, or to take away by the bottle.
By the bottle we also offer the Jamaican beer Red Stripe, since after all - we are a Japanese reggae izakaya.
SAKE
"If I sell my rags
And buy some sake
Will there still be loneliness?"
- Taneda Santōka
Kokoro
Gl 60 kr.
Ohta Shuzo, Shiga
Junmai Nama Genshu. Full-bodied, slightly dry sake. Rich combination oof umami, and light aroma.
Kido Ginjo
Gl 65 kr.
Heiwa Shuzo, Wakayama.
Junmai Ginjo. Entry-level ginjo sake - fruity and elegant.
Jah One Love
Gl 75 kr.
Terada Honke Shuzo, Chiba.
Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu. Original sake made exclusively for Jah by Terada Honke, our favourite sake maker <3 100% natural sake.
Jah 'Stir it Up'
80
Niida Honke, Fukushima
Original Jah sake from one of our heroes. Enjoy warm.
Kizan
Gl 75 kr.
Chikumanishiki Shuzo, Nagano.
Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu. Fine combination of acidity and sweetness.
Hanatomoe
Gl 75 kr.
Miyoshino Jozo, Nara.
Junmai Nama Genshu. Fresh unpasteurised sake from a micro-producer.
Soma no Tengu
Gl 80 kr.
Uehara Shuzo, Shiga.
Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu. Usu-Nigori (cloudy), natural sake.
Akishika Okarakuchi - Akishika Shuzo Brewery
Gl 85 kr.
Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu, Osaka. This Okarakuchi (literally ‘big dry mouth’) sake is one of the most dry sake. Akishika dry sake is rich and profound, full-bodied, with pronounced acidity.
Nabeshima Ginjo - Fukuchiyo Shuzo
Gl 95 kr.
Junmai Dai-Ginjo, Saga. An example of a perfect ginjo sake, with strong yet not overbearing fruity aroma and a light tasteful body. Slightly sweet with balancing acidity.
Katori 90 - Terada Honke Brewery
Gl 75 kr.
Junmai Nama Genshu, Chiba. True ‘liquid rice’ in taste, colour and aroma. A very strong rice bran taste and acidity.
Tamagawa Kimoto - Kinoshita Shuzo Brewery
Gl 80 kr.
Organic Junmai Kimoto Sake, Kyoto. Slow-brewed sake, made from organic rice. Slightly woody aroma and taste, matured for 3 years. Full of flavour and easy to arrange with a wide range of food.
Dassai 50 - Asahi Shuzo
Gl 95 kr.
Junmai Daiginjo, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Very good introduction to the world of aromatic daiginjo sake. Explosive fragrance and sweet palate. Beauty in a glass.
WINE
"Wine comes in at the mouth
And love comes in at the eye;
That’s all we shall know for truth
Before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth,
I look at you, and I sigh."
- William Butler Yeats
SPARKLING
2023 Alpino, Cantina Furlani, Alto Adige
95 / 400
NV Champagne Ultradition, Laherte Frères
800
18/19 Triptyque, Stroebel, Champagne
1200
2019 Heraclite Pinot Noir, Stroebel, Champagne
1500
WHITE WINE
2024 Riesling Trocken, Scheuermann, Pfalz
75 / 350
2024 Weissburgunder/Chardonnay, Scheuermann, Pfalz
85 / 400
2024 Eros (orange), Les Vins Pirouettes, Alsace
95 / 400
2022 JaJa - Jacquere, Grain par Grain, Savoie
450
WINE OF THE WEEK
120 / 550
2024 Femme Soleil, Macabeu et al, Cyril Fhal, Cotes Catalanes
105 / 500
2022 Bourgogne Cuvee St. Vincent, V. Girardin
125 / 600
2023 La Joute, Chenin/chardo, Domaine Mosse
650
2023 Bourgogne Chardonnay, Marc Soyard
700
2023 Corpo Maltese, Chardonnay, Bruno Duchene, Banyuls
700
2019 Album, Savagnin, Les Bottes Rouges, Jura
800
2023 Bourgogne Blanc, Chanterêves
800
2023 L'Abeille et le Papillon, Riesling, Jintaro Yura
800
2023 Au Poirer, Savagnin, Maison des Saules, Jura
900
2020 Sensazione (orange), Cascina Lieto, Piemonte
900
2023 Bourgogne Blanc Monopole Cras, Marc Soyard
1000
2021 Roc Breïa, Chardonnay, Theo Dancer, Bourgogne
1200
2022 Tsugane Chardonnay, Beau Paysage, Japan
1200
2022 A Hum Pinot Gris (orange), Beau Paysage, Japan
1300
2020 Ostrea Virgula, Savagnin, Cavarodes, Jura
1400
2021 Saint Joseph Opaytere, Dard et Ribo, Rhône
1400
2021 Bajocien, Chardonnay, Labet, Jura
1500
RED WINE
2024 Côte du Rhône, Domaine des Bacchantes
75 / 350
2022 Cuvée Doudous, Gamay, Grain par Grain, Savoie
400
2022 Maximus, Fer Servardou, Nicolas Carmarans, Aveyron
450
2019 Irancy, Pinot Noir, Dom. Richoux, Bourgogne
115 / 550
2021 La Pascole, Grenache mix, Bruno Duchene
650
2022 Minouche, Gamay, Julie Balagny, Beaujolais
700
2021 Lumiére des Sense, Pinot d'Aunis, Robinot, Loire
750
2020 Point Barre, Ploussard, Tony Bornard
850
2019 Pedres Blanques, Rie et Hirofumi Shoji, Roussillon
850
2021 Saint Joseph, Dard et Ribo, Rhône
900
2022 Myosotis Arvensis, Pinot Noir, Claire Naudin, Bourgogne
1000
2022 Cuvée 910, Julien Guillot, Bourgogne
1000
2021 Sage, Freisa, Cascina Lieto, Piemonte
1000
2022 Pinot Noir, Beau Paysage, Japan
1200
2022 Barolo Paiagallo, Giovanni Canonica, Piemonte
1500
2021 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Genevrieres Qvevri, Cossard
1700
OTHER DRINKS
SHOCHU
Tsurumi
80 kr.
Sweet potato shochu by Oishi Shuzo in Kagoshima.
Kashi
80 kr.
Aged shochu by Oishi Shuzo in Kagoshima.
WHISKY
Taketsuru Pure Malt
75 kr.
Nikka Whisky (3 cl).
Yoichi Single Malt
95 kr.
Nikka Whisky (3 cl).
Hibiki Japanese Harmony
120 kr.
Suntory Whisky (3 cl).
Ichiro’s Malt
160 kr.
Chichibu Distillery (3 cl).
Yamazaki 12yo Single Malt
190 kr.
Nikka Whisky (3 cl).
FRUIT SAKE
Tsuruume Yuzu Sake - Heiwa shuzo Brewery
Gl 105 kr. / Bt 650 kr.
A sweet and fresh mix of sake and yuzu.
Suppai no Umeshu - Heiwa Shuzo
Gl 105 kr. / Bt 650 kr.
Japanese Plum Sake from Wagayama. Not too sweet and not too sour, topped off with an almond aroma.
OTHERS
Jah Draft Beer
75 kr.
Our housebeer. A fresh pale-ale with japanese hops and yuzu. Brewed exclusively for Jah by BeerHere on Bornholm. Served ice cold.
Implosion / Lowmotion Pink
60 kr.
Alcohol free beer from To Øl (33 cl).
Red Stripe
65 kr.
Jamaican lager (33 cl).
Whisky Highball
95 kr.
Nikka whisky & soda.
Yuzu or Umeshu High
95 kr.
Low-alcohol spritz.
Gin & Tonic
110 kr.
Japanese Gin and Danish tonic.
Umeshu Spritz
110 kr.
Japanese plum sake and bubbles.
Jah Juice
110 kr.
Shochu, yuzu sake and lemon.
Negroni
125
Our take on the Negroni.
Old Osaka
110
Whisky, Umeshu, Tonic.
Kitanai Manhattan
110
Shochu, Vermouth, Bitter.
Water
30 kr.
Still or sparkling mineral water. Filtered and carbonated on site. Per person, with free refills.
Ramune
50 kr.
A classic Japanese sparkling and sweet soft drink.
Coffee from Prolog or Japanese Tea from Io Teas
45 kr.
Ask staff about the selection.
LOCATION
OPENING HOURS
Sunday — Thursday
17:30 — 24:00 (last food order 22.00)
Friday — Saturday
17:30 — 01:00 (last food order 22.00)