May 26th
2005
Wheat beer or sake? The owners of No Mi Ya (Haidhausen, Wörthstr. 7) - an original Bavarian character (Ferdl) who runs it jointly with an outstanding Japanese cook (Toshi) - have accomplished the almost unimaginable: they combined Japanese and Bavarian styles and cuisines into a great medley.

The ambience is kept in a rather puristic Japanese sushi restaurant style, however, with a certain Bavarian pub touch to it. So don't be surprised looking at impressing antlers hanging from the walls, while enjoying your yakitori and maki rolls. If you are lucky and able to snatch a seat at the food bar, you can see Toshi prepare your order directly in front of your eyes as well as on the grill, which is located a little further in the back. Prices are more than reasonable, especially considering it's great location in the heart of Haidhausen. The repertoire includes tasty little appetizers and various sushi. But the real crowd-pleasers are their different vegetables/meat/fish variations on wooden skewers - freshly marinated and roasted on the grill. The butterfish-skewer is a must-try! They even sell more uncommon variations, for instance with kangaroo... And not to forget the Asian desserts with green tea.
Reservations for larger groups are definitely a must, as this place has limited capacity and quickly gets packed. I would think that 50 or so people already will make this place pretty crowded. Lots of locals there, generally a rather relaxed crowd in their twenties to mid-thirties, often with kids. When the temperatures allow it, you'll find some tables outside. In case you have to wait to get seated, having a Kirin at the small bar will help to make the wait fly by...
On rare occasions (it happened to us, when we took our parents our for sushi) the Bavarian owner demonstrated an interesting choice of music, which for the unaccustomed ear, was quite an experience (we remember sounds of marching bands on that late summer afternoon...). Service in general is good and quite attentive. No Mi Ya has been in Haidhausen now for some years - it has become a constant, which truly reflects a rather laid-back Haidhausen way of life.
just LOVE the photos!! great work as usual... mav
Hi, well it seems I might have to make my way to Munich. The asian cuisine in Heidelberg leaves a lot to be desired. Although Im willing to admit that perhaps I just haven't yet found that diamond in the rough. I love the Bavarian influence in the restaurant, although I agree that the music would be hard to handle. Thats better left for an afternoon spent in a biergarten!
hi there! it sounds like an izakaya, both in food and spirit. an izakaya is a japanese pub or tavern where little dishes of food (slightly more than tapas, but less than a full meal) are served. a standard izakaya has lots of different grilled items on the menu, but many are venturing into gastropub-type grub with european influences; they are quite popular in japan with the type of crowd that seems to populate this spot.
i love the photos of the decor, it looks like my type of place! i wonder if it's any coincidence that my favourite german-style beers are from a japanese brewery (hitachino nest beers if you are interested--fantastic graphics on the labels, imo)....
Hi tara, maria,
Thanks! No Mi Ya is truly an interesting (interesting-good that is) place. Even if there is only time for just a drink. :)
Hi Michele,
Actually between the post and now, we've been there again, just for drinks though. The music played was traditional beer-garden type music, which is equally strange in the context of Japanese cuisine, yet creating a great atmosphere.
Hi santos.
I haven't been to an izakaya yet, but the way you describe it sounds very familiar. The concept could easily have been the inspiration for the owners. As for the hitachino labels, from a design perspective, I'd probably pick the XH to start with...
PS(re: mangosteen): We have to change plans, let's meet at the Munich airport and we trade in a trip to No Mi Ya for a handful of mangosteens - what do you think? ;)












An interesting, unimaginable combination of cusines. The way you describe it though, it sounds like it works beautifully.