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Saka Ba An intimate Osaka-style bar

In the heart of Tel Aviv’s Levinsky Market neighborhood lies a bona fide Japanese izakaya, one of those intimate little bars Japanese professionals go to after work, to destress and drink saké to their hearts’ content. Saka Ba is the brainchild of friends and business partners Asaf Menachem (owner of Japanese restaurant Mententen), and Japanese chef Masaya, originally from Osaka. Inspired by the flavors of Masaya’s hometown, together they have crafted a menu that includes gyozas, sushi, sashimi, korokke (Japanese croquettes), and more, served alongside exquisite saké, shochu (a distilled spirit made from plums or sweet potato), and choya (plum liqueur). And smokers will be happy to know that just like in Osaka, Saka Ba has its own indoor transparent smoking cabin for them to use. @saka_ba_tlv

Photo: Afik Gabay Koko Neko

Photo: Assaf Karela Kuntai Spicy Thai with a Mediterranean twist Chefs Tomas Zohar and Yossi Shitrit met on reality TV show “Masterchef”. Now, a few years along the way, they’ve joined forces and opened their own Thai foodbar together. Kuntai is all about the spice and the flavor, with Thai classics given a punchy Tel Aviv twist. Dishes include spicy beef and cucumber salad, Isan-style beef tartare, and no less than five versions of som tam salad. The delicious cocktails pair up perfectly with the food, cooling the palate down so that you keep on ordering more and more, to your taste buds’ total delight. @kuntai_tlv

A love for Japan, a passion for ramen Together with Japanese cook Misato Bachar who moved to Israel twelve years ago, restaurateur Dudi Afriat (who also owns the La Tigre pizzeria) has opened this cozy little ramen bar in the heart of Florentin. The menu also includes gyozas, soba noodle salads, and more, but do make sure you leave enough space for dessert - the pillowy pancakes with chocolate and matcha sauce and strawberries and cream are utterly divine and look exactly like the Japanese desserts you see on social media. As you sip on your warm or cold saké or your yuzu cocktail, for one sweet hour, you could almost imagine you were lost in Tokyo. @koko_neko_tlv

Photo: Amir Menahem

28 ATMOSPHERE MARCH 2025