That Japan is a place where fish is easily found on restaurant menus is a fact. But have you ever imagined a restaurant where you can fish your own meal? It also exists and is found in Japan!
These restaurant chains are called Zauo (釣船茶屋) which literally means ''fishing tea house''.
One of the networks of this restaurante is in Tokyo and many who have been there report good experiences.
Let's get to know this place better and maybe it's on your list of places to visit in Japan!
Table of Content
History of Zauo
The network of “fishing restaurants” Zauo was created in 1986 in Japan and has thirteen units in the country.
The creation was of two brothers Kazuhisa and Takuya Takahashi. The network has units in major Japanese cities.
And the goal is to expand in cities outside Japan that are large and reference. So far, the United States has embraced the idea of the restaurant and has already received a franchise.
Zauo's concept
For those who love fishing, they will definitely love having this experience and the fish is freshly prepared so the food is fresh! But fishing is not mandatory for dinner on Zauo.
As soon as the customer arrives at the restaurant, they receive the fishing rod and after the fish is caught, the chefs prepare the dish according to the customer's taste.
For those who are in the habit of going fishing, pay here in Brazil, you will find it easy with this restaurant!
The variety of dishes ranges from fried fish like tempura to raw fish slices like sashimi, sashimi, 'broths' like sukiyaki and many others. You choose!
But what if you don't know how to fish? Don't worry because you won't be without your fish, as the staff can help you and even use a fishing net to catch your fish faster.
The Zauo are one of the most sought after places by the Japanese themselves and tourists in search of experiences.
site design
The way of ordering food is already different, so the design of the place could not be different!
The restaurant is in the shape of a boat with all its wooden finish and structure. On the sides of the restaurant, the wall is made in the form of sterns and prows as in real boats.
The restaurant is also surrounded by water tanks filled with fish, perfectly simulating a navigable aquatic environment.
The fishing ponds have a variety of fish and the on-site waiter directs you to the types of fish you prefer.
Some of the fish options are: snapper, red snapper, mackerel, saltwater eel, sharks, Japanese sea snail or lobster.
You can even choose between salt or fresh water!
Not everything is flowers
One thing I didn't like very much was the fact that there are some fish that stay in the aquariums that are very expensive and once caught they cannot be returned.
If you end up fishing, they will have to pay the amount, which is more than double compared to other options that the restaurant has.
But it has the information and guidelines so that this does not happen by mistake.
Another thing that in my case I would not find it cool, due to lack of habit, is that as the fish are fresh and most of the preparations are raw, they can end up twitching and moving.
The Japanese, in general, are not intimidated by this...
Does it really pay off?
Apparently, in the comments on the restaurants page and videos, it pays to have an experience in some of Zauo's chains!
The service is good and the value in yen is good. You can eat well for around 3,000 yen. But the value varies according to the fish, preparation, appetizers, among others.
The service is differentiated even because the employees are evaluated by the customers at the end of their stay at the place, so they strive to serve well.
If you catch the fish yourself, you will receive a discount, for example, the normal price for a red snapper is approximately 3,360 yen (about one hundred reais). When fishing it costs about 2,500 yen (about seventy-five reais). A sole is 3,990 yen and you can get the 861 yen discount.
restaurant popularity
Zuo is very popular in Japan and already has its networks well established there.
Since the beginning of 2018, there is also a unit in New York, United States. The place holds one hundred and seventy-five seats. And it has the same structure as the original idea.
The directors' goal is to expand even further. Feel like going to dinner or lunch at this restaurant? Does it have a chance of arriving in Brazil?
