Momotaro

Momotaro — named after the beloved Japanese folk hero — has earned a devotion among Cologne diners that few restaurants of any cuisine can match. A reviewer who spent five years living in Tokyo wrote: 'This rates in fish quality and service with some of the great restaurants in Roppongi — the best in Cologne.' Another regular, who has been visiting since 2004, describes owner Ryoji as someone who 'consistently provides a real Japanese experience in Cologne.' A third: 'When you close the door on your back, you feel like being in Japan.' The restaurant is invariably cited alongside Kintaro and ITO as one of Cologne's holy trinity of authentic Japanese dining — with the key distinction that Momotaro is the most intimate. The bar counter allows guests to watch Ryoji craft sushi and maki in real time. Dinner menus offer 4–5 courses with varied choices; the sushi rice is consistently praised as the finest in Cologne. Reservations are essential, sometimes required days in advance.