El Japonés del Tragaluz opens at Arc de Triomf

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  The ambience is laid-back. El Japonés de Arc de Triomf brings the spirit of a street-side izakaya: informal, straightforward and with a clear vision. Crispy tempura, yakisoba, yakimeshi and a sushi bar. 

  The décor says it all: lamps suspended from the ceiling, an open sushi bar, convresation around its tables and a terrace overlooking the Arc de Triomf. The place exudes Japanese street style, with its feet firmly planted in Barcelona.

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  The neighbourhood takes centre stage

  Arc de Triomf is a neighbourhood with a character all of its own. A meeting point between the native pand the cosmopolitan population, where long-term local residents live side by side with newcomers, and where tourists coming to discover the city and its culture are becoming an increasingly important presence. El Japonés fits into this mix effortlessly, as if it had been there for years.

  The terrace, with views of the triumphal arch, is somewhere you'll you end up staying longer than planned. The atmosphere blends the creative energy of central Barcelona with the more dynamic, neighbourhood vibe that characterises this area: the hustle and bustle, the mixture of different people, the buzz of conversation.

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  A Japanese street-style restaurant with a clear vision, by Grupo Tragaluz

  Grupo Tragaluz has been behind the creatiion of innovative restaurants with their own distinct identity in Barcelona for decades. El Japonés, one of its most established projects—which opened in 1998 and remains a benchmark in the city—continues to evolve with this new venture, featuring a more laid-back, street-style concept in the heart of Barcelona.

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  Recommended

  The menu at El Japonés in Arc de Triomf is an invitation to share. To start with, the homemade gyozas and the okonomiyaki — a Japanese-style pancake with bacon, katsuobushi and aonori — are almost a must. The yakisoba and kimchi yakimeshi are two house classics that never disappoint. The teriyaki burger with avocado, tempura shiso, ginger, gherkin and spicy mayo also has its loyal fans.

  Among the nigiri, highlights include the crispy bluefin tuna on a rice cracker with avocado and kizami wasabi, the seared toro no aburi, the unagi kabayaki, and the seared ebi with Japanese mayonnaise, furikake and tobiko.

  For fan sof Japanese rolls, the spicy bluefin tuna, the ebi no tempura topped with avocado and ikura, the Mediterranean uramaki with tuna tataki and ponzu, the lucky uramaki with seared toro tuna and ikura, the lemon fish jalapeño roll with kimchi mayo, the spicy mango salmon roll and the eel roll with pickled cucumber and tobiko complete this flawless selection.

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  All photographies ©Lekuonastudio

  
  

• El Japonés Arc de Triomf
• Avenida Vilanova, 11 08018 Barcelona
• (one minuto of Arc de Triomf)
• www.grupotragaluz.com
• Instagram: @eljapones_arcdetriomf