Everybody knows that Sao Paulo is the best city to eat great Japanese food outside Japan. I always…read morehad great experiences eating at Izakaya Issa, one of the best Japanese food I have already had (different from te sushi-sashimi we are use to). I have never been in Japan, but I heard that Izakaya Issa is very authentic and traditional. The ladies working there are always very friendly, and Dona Margarida Haraguchi, the owner, is so sweet and conversationist! The star dishes from the place is the octopus balls (really creamy and well-flavored) and the ramen!

An Izakaya is first and foremost a neighborhood bar that serves drinks and bar food. This place did…read morea great job making me feel welcome, offering me a menu in English as we greeted. There were certainly plenty of Japanese speaking customers mixed in with Portuguese. And I, the odd tourist, felt right at home. The bamboo shoot and shitake mushroom appetizers were delectable. The chicken broth ramen was insipid. The Gyukatsu Kare (breaded fried beef with curry sauce over rice) was better, but not the ultra crispy panko planks I've had in some places. Maybe it was because I ordered it at the end of the night. The Brazilian brewed cold sake was really good. Could hardly tell the difference from Japanese sake. But, the highlight of the dinner of Sanma Shio--grilled pike mackerel with sea salt. Inexpensive for Sanma, uber fresh, grilled crispy so that you could crunch up the head and tail! The service was prompt, efficient and very warm. Even the owner came by to chat several times. Arigato gozaimasu! Obrigado! Thank you.

This is one of my favorite Japanese spots in Sao Paulo. A Japanese bar where you can find an…read moreawesome thematic and simple decoration. Most of the dishes are finger foods as it's a bar and they're delicious, do not leave the place without having an furikaki oniguiri. The beer is always as cold as it can get and you can find Brazilian, international and Japanese beers/liquor. Both owners are always there seeing if everything is running smoothly and they also have a karaoke room where you can reserve and sing a lot with your friends. A must visit in Sao Paulo.