If you are looking for delicious, authentic yet convenient Japanese cuisine in and around the greater Stockholm area, look no further than Blue Light Yokohamo. Considered the best izakaya in the city by its owners – izakaya being essentially the Japanese version of an Irish pub or Spanish tapas bar – the small, informal space at Asogatan 170 in Sodermalm district aims to serve up quality, healthy, but flexible meals that suit customers’ modern lifestyles.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 17:00-22:00, 17:00-21:00 Sundays with 90 minute to 2 hour seating times, Blue Light Yokohama serves food in the traditional izakaya way – a lot of small dishes, brought to the customer as soon as they are made. Sushi is, of course, on the menu, as are a number of seasonal cold and warm dishes, including edamame, spider and vegetable tempura, roasted duck breast, shumai dumplings, and tatsuta chicken bits. All meals can be paired with an appropriate sake, and Japanese beer and spirits are available, along with a small wine list, soft drinks and desserts. There is also a take-away menu available for order which includes Bento, sushi and a few other items and the venue offers party platters, a buffet and finger food menu for catering.
Sundays at Blue Light Yokohama are ramen Sundays where only traditional Japanese ramen is served.
Prices are reasonable, the staff is helpful, polite and speaks Japanese so can guide you through unfamiliar offerings. And while there are a number of seats at the sushi bar and near the entrance reserved for drop-in diners, pre-booking is recommended and required for groups of 10 or more.