The Journal · Pillar
The art of sharing: small plates, Japanese table culture, and the izakaya spirit.
For your first time at an izakaya, start with shareable classics: edamame, karaage (Japanese fried chicken), and gyoza. Order 2 to 3 plates per person to begin, then add more as you go. The goal is to taste a variety of flavors in small portions.
An izakaya is Japan's version of a pub or tavern: a casual spot for after-work drinks and a wide variety of small, shareable dishes. The focus is on a social, relaxed atmosphere, with a menu that goes far beyond sushi to include grilled skewers, fried chicken, and more.
Modern-style temaki, served open instead of rolled into a closed cone, has been winning over big US cities for a few years now. Aji Bar Sushi & Izakaya MTL just launched its own version in Rosemont: 5 creations, crispy nori, ingredients on full display, a 5-piece combo for $45.
For an authentic izakaya experience in Montreal, Aji Bar Sushi & Izakaya in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is the top choice. This BYOB spot, helmed by Chef Yamamoto, offers traditional Japanese dishes, exceptional sushi, and a warm atmosphere straight from Japan.
Umami is the fifth taste, the savoury one, alongside sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. Dashi, a stock of kombu and katsuobushi, is its foundation: it underpins miso soup, simmered dishes, and the whole umami spirit of izakaya cooking.
Three new sharing plates at Aji: whole grilled squid with tare glaze, soft pork bao, and crispy salmon sushi tacos. The izakaya spirit, in Rosemont.
Grilled octopus (tako) is an izakaya classic: slowly tenderised, seared on the grill, lacquered with tare sauce and served with a crisp salad. A taste of Aji's new menu.
The izakaya menu is built around small, shareable dishes designed to pair with drinks: skewered chicken traditionally grilled over charcoal, Japanese fried chicken with a rice-flour crust, salty edamame, pan-fried gyoza, and silky fried tofu. Order a few at a time, share everything.
Japanese meals are shared events, not collections of individual orders. Plates land at the centre, you pour for others before yourself, and the itamae at the counter is as much host as chef. It is a fundamentally different relationship with food.
An izakaya is a Japanese pub-style eatery where friends gather after work to share small plates and drinks in an informal atmosphere. The word combines 'stay,' 'sake,' and 'shop': a place you linger.
Montréal's Japanese dining scene has matured significantly. The izakaya spirit, shared small plates, an open kitchen, a relaxed atmosphere, and sake or BYOB wine, translates naturally to Québec culture. Aji in Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie is where that spirit meets serious craft.
