Japanese Influences in Berlin’s Bar Scene
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Berlin and Japan share numerous deep connections. Since 1994, a city partnership between Berlin and Tokyo has fostered political, economic, and cultural exchange. Universities in Berlin and Japanese institutions work closely in fields such as robotics, AI, and sustainability, pushing forward groundbreaking research. Japanese DJs and producers have also had a lasting impact on Berlin’s electronic music scene, while cosplay events and the Anime Messe Berlin reveal new dimensions of Japanese pop culture.
Architecturally, Japan has left a distinctive mark on Berlin’s skyline. The impressive Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz is topped with a roof construction that symbolizes Mount Fuji, bringing Japan’s sacred mountain to the German capital.
Japanese Culinary Delights
Over the past few years, Berlin’s offering of Japanese cuisine has seen a significant qualitative and quantitative boost. While traditional sushi and ramen spots remain popular, the city now boasts a diverse range of traditional and modern venues. From the classic Sukiyaki at Udagawa in Steglitz to the sleek elegance of 893 Ryotei, featuring a variety of Nikkei dishes marrying Japanese and South American culinary traditions. How about trying Kushiage, a rare style of lightly fried skewers, at Kushinoya or indulging in Japanese barbecue at Ushido? Unique and immersive dining experiences can also be found at spots like Oukan, Kumami, Shiori, and Zenkichi, to name just a few.
How About a Drink? More Than Just Sake!
Many modern Japanese restaurants in Berlin offer sophisticated bars with meticulously curated cocktail menus. Japanese craftsmanship has infused the global bar culture for quite some time. The trend of large ice spheres in cocktails, for instance, stems from the skilled techniques of Japanese bartenders, who can sculpt intricate spheres or diamonds from blocks of ice in moments. Also part of this innovation is the “Japanese Hard Shake,” a unique shaking technique mimicking the crack of a whip. This method blends air molecules and ice particles with liquids more intensely, enhancing texture, aroma, and flavor.
A recent reissue of one of the earliest sources on Japanese bar culture, Kokuteeru by Yonekichi Maeda from 1924, offers a glimpse into the evolution of cocktails in Japan, dating back to the opening of Yokohama’s first cocktail bar in 1860.
Modern Japanese Bar Style
Back in Maeda’s day, the international cocktail style, as seen in global hotel bars, dominated. He was likely influenced greatly by Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book. Unsurprisingly, Maeda’s Kokuteeru lacks local Japanese ingredients. Today, however, this has changed dramatically. Ingredients like sake, shochu, calpis, yuzu, tea, matcha, umeshu, amazake, or awamori inspire bartenders to craft innovative new drinks or reimagine classic cocktails with finesse. Sometimes, the smallest tweak results in subtle and elegant creations. At 893 Ryotei, for instance, the signature “Cherry Blossom Colada” combines rum, clarified pineapple, coconut, citrus undertones, and cherry blossoms for an exceptional flavor.
Potsdamer Straße’s flagship “Sticks & Sushi” restaurant upholds a high standard for drink culture, offering creations such as the “Yuzu Zoo” with gin, umeshu, yuzu, and lemon bitters, or the “Shojito” featuring shochu, blackberry, and lime.
A fresh addition to the scene, “Stoke” in northwest Kreuzberg, impresses with minimalist design and menus centered around grilled skewers, complemented by a carefully curated drinks list. While wine offerings are somewhat overpriced, their creative cocktails are worth a try. Their interpretation of the classic Adonis cocktail features sake, Amontillado sherry, umeshu, and chestnut, while the non-alcoholic “Lemon Koji,” with green tea, roasted rice, lemon, and honey, serves as a flavorful alternative.
Jazz enthusiasts may be familiar with Japan’s Jazz Kissa bars, where visitors find a peaceful haven to actively listen to music in an intimate environment. Berlin’s “Bar Neiro” in Mitte embraces this concept, and although it’s currently undergoing renovations, it’s sure to captivate with its return.
Sadly, the “Himitsu” bar is currently on a break until September. Hidden Speakeasy-style in the gigantic food court of “Manifesto” at Potsdamer Platz, its Japanese-inspired drinking concept adds a touch of cool elegance to the Berlin night.
And Finally, Sake
For a truly authentic and atmospheric experience, head to “Shizuku” in Hasenheide. Here, an array of exquisite Japanese natural wines and rare sakes complement a refined snack menu.
Sake is an elegant beverage that deserves greater appreciation in Germany. The often high prices and cryptic labels can make it less accessible to local consumers, a challenge that Ilka and Kai Fryder tackle expertly through “Ginza Berlin.” For nearly a decade, their online store has specialized in Japanese alcoholic beverages, and their physical space, “Atelier Ginza” in Wilmersdorf, has enriched Berlin’s drinks scene for the past year and a half. It provides opportunities for tastings, conversations, and education. From beginner-friendly options to expert-level sakes, the variety is impressive, offering something for everyone. Their passion and knowledge bring valuable insights into Japan’s drinking culture.
Another source of inspiration is the annual Berlin Sake Week each autumn, launched by gourmet impresario Alexander van Hessen to elevate sake appreciation to new heights. Supported by Japan’s embassy and cultural institutions, the event introduces participants to new sake experiences, with “Goldfisch Bar” in Friedrichshain often assisting with cocktail tastings and workshops on integrating sake into mixology.
The realm of Japanese beverages remains an untapped treasure trove for Berlin’s vibrant bar scene. With this in mind, Kampai!
Further Information on the Mentioned Bars:
- 893 Ryotei
- Sticks & Sushi
- Stoke Berlin
- Bar Neiro
- Himitsu Bar
- Shizuku
- Ginza Berlin
- Sake Embassy
- Goldfisch Bar
