Zipang

The story

Zipang Hamburg – Japanese Fine Dining with Michelin Recommendation

A Taste of Japan in Hamburg

At Zipang, chef Toshiharu Minami brings over 35 years of culinary experience to the table. His path began in Japan, then led to Germany, where he refined his craft in renowned kitchens. The result is a restaurant that describes its own food as a feast of traditional Japanese dishes combined with the best of Western cuisine.

The menu is seasonal and changes regularly. Guests can choose from six- or eight-course tasting menus, each a journey through precisely balanced flavours. A recent tasting menu, for example, featured kombu-aged pheasant with lotus root and shiso, gurnard with scallop and crispy tofu skin, and a chicken terrine with chawanmushi and leek-based Saikyo miso sauce. The meal progresses to sushi – chef’s choice – and finishes with a dessert like coconut mousse with sakura, azuki, and hojicha.

For those who prefer à la carte, options include salmon teriyaki, tempura, sushi, and sashimi. Lunch brings a changing weekly special, such as fried salmon in panko or chirashi-sushi.

Wine and Sake Pairings

Zipang offers wine pairings to accompany the tasting menus. Notably, the restaurant hosts an exclusive Japanese Wine Pairing Event in collaboration with Gubi Gubi, a specialist in Japanese wines. The evening features a carefully curated selection of nuanced Japanese wines paired with a five-course menu.

The restaurant’s wine pairing also includes Champagne and sake, reflecting a commitment to thoughtful beverage matches. This attention to detail, along with its notable sake list, has earned Zipang a Michelin Recommended designation.

The Atmosphere

Located on Eppendorfer Weg in Hamburg, Zipang provides a setting where the focus remains on the food and the experience. The cooking is precise, the ingredients are seasonal, and the approach is both respectful of tradition and open to innovation. It is a place for those who appreciate Japanese cuisine presented with clarity and care.