Kintaro

When Takusaburo Arakawa opened Kintaro in 1988, he gave Cologne its very first sushi restaurant — and more than three decades later, the Arakawa family continues to serve some of the finest traditional Japanese cuisine in Germany. Arakawa arrived in Cologne from Japan in 1978 and spent a decade immersing himself in the city before opening Kintaro in the Friesenviertel neighbourhood. The restaurant is intimate and thoughtfully designed, with tatami seating available for guests who wish to dine in the traditional Japanese style. The sushi courses crafted personally by Takusaburo have become legendary — seats are often reserved months in advance, particularly during Cologne trade fairs. The menu draws on classic Japanese tradition: fresh sushi, sashimi, tempura, soups and seasonal specials, all prepared with decades of practised skill.