Like Being in Japan - Shinjuku Izakaya Restaurant

---

---

Hello everyone,
I think I must ti tell you about this place. At first I underestimate this restaurant, because this place had previously been used as a restaurant too, but it was not qualified and crowded, eventually it went bankrupt and was replaced by a new restaurant, namely a Japanese restaurant.

Located at a crossroads downtown, this restaurant is transformed to be very good. So, at first it was an Indonesian restaurant, but it changed to a Japanese restaurant with a different concept. I think, Medan city residents who want to try a new experience about Japanese food and Japanese vibes, must come to this restaurant.

I am a lover of Japanese food, more precisely I like Japanese-style noodles, sushi and sashimi, I always try to eat at halal Japanese restaurants wherever I am. Even though this restaurant doesn't actually have a Halal label from the government, they state that all food is 'no pork, no lard', because they still sell some typical Japanese alcoholic drinks, so it might be very difficult to get a halal label from the government.

Shinjuku Izakaya by Traders, this is a Japanese restaurant that serves many Japanese dishes that are quite complete. They are sell cuisine like sashimi, sushi, udon, ramen and sake. So many types of Japanese food may attract you here, so you dont have to go all the way to Japan to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine. I feel sorry that I just came here after it's been so long since they grand opening this restaurant.

It's been a while, about 1 year after they opened, I just came here, because before there was no statement that they sell Japanese food with 'no pork, no lard' so I was very hesitant to try it. But, after trying, this is the best Japanese cuisine in my city. It's so real!

Not only delicious food, this restaurant is full of surprises with its architecture and design. With a 'Japan' background that might make you feel in Japan at that time, I like the vibes and ambiance that are built, where everything feels very real like being in Japan. Even though I've never been to Japan, the design and architecture of this restaurant is like what I've seen in Japanese movies and dramas.

Once in front of the restaurant, I saw very few vehicles parked in the restaurant's courtyard, this reminded me of how unattractive the early buildings were from the outside. Because it is very quiet, so many people are less interested in this restaurant. It looks unsatisfactory from the outside, but I think this is very interesting. Because I basically don't like crowded places. But actually the outside appearance conveys the size of this restaurant and how authentic they are to the real Japan.

There are many red lanterns with Japanese writing hanging above the roof of the restaurant which is quite busy. The lanterns are blown by a gentle breeze which gives the flexibility of the lanterns to sway. This made me even more interested because the Japanese elements that really taste from the front of the restaurant, made me curious about what this restaurant looks like indoors. Are you curious too? Read till the end..

As soon as you enter through the door which is quite difficult to push, you have to push it using extra force, then you are greeted with the aroma of dashi, a typical Japanese seasoning which is the basic broth for all Japanese dishes. The aroma of this dashi makes me hungry and even more curious about the taste of the food here. Then walk to the dining table while looking at some of the very interesting decorations here.

Look there are some beautiful lanterns that are hung very high, as well as a wall painting depicting a very famous 'geisha'. The mural is so big and catches the eye when you first see it. The mural is full of strong colors but beautifully described. Geisha who is holding a flower and also wearing a red kimono with flowers. Her closed eyes make us feel cool when we see her, because usually I'm always afraid of geisha's aura which often makes me misunderstand geisha who look like ghosts.

Shown below the mural is a fake cherry blossom that is blooming, creating a deep 'Japanese' impression, as well as other small details that this restaurant does not skip. Apart from that, there is a wall with various neatly pasted posters which are adaptations of famous Japanese comics and cartoons, such as Doraemon, Tsubasa, Slamdunk and others, reminding me of my childhood when I loved watching and reading Japanese comics. In front of it there are also several tables and chairs that can be used to eat ramen or drink sake. I think it's perfect for wearing with a large number of friends, maybe like a small party.

Then there is also a unique place, consisting of several tables and chairs made of wood with cloth elements hanging with Japanese writing. It's also very identical to several places to eat in Japan, like street food in Japan, right? This is a table and chairs that can be used for 4 people. I chose this table and chairs because it's very interesting, especially since we're going to be eating ramen and udon. Adding to the extraordinary ambiance that I can enjoy in this restaurant.

Likewise with the bar table which shows several chiefs and their assistants who are preparing food and drinks, you can try this experience to just enjoy ramen while talking with the staff. I think this is like a real Japanese restaurant, especially considering the scene in one of Naruto's scenes that likes to eat very voraciously at the bar table. again, this really appealed to me, because I've never had a Japanese ambiance like this in a Japanese restaurant I've been to before.

There are several curtains that block light from entering the room which is so unique, these curtains are also one of the small details that surprised me, how much they pay attention to the ordinary being extraordinary. It really felt real that I was in Japan. Ah, I'm getting more and more interested in Japan! How is the real Japan, yes, this alone is so real beautiful.

---

See you the next time hive friends!

---

---

Editing by Lightroom and VN iphone 11

---

---

---