We were looking for an izakaya in the Plateau area, and @sato.izakaya initially seemed promising. The decor is warm and thoughtfully done, and with a 4.9-star rating on Google, expectations were naturally high. The name itself — Sato, meaning village or hometown — suggests comfort and quality. (or it might be someone’s surname as well)

Unfortunately, the food did not live up to that promise. The nori was clearly not fresh; it was so tough I couldn’t even cut through it with my teeth. The chicken skewers were also disappointing, especially considering the price — they felt overpriced for what was served.

It’s a shame because the space itself is lovely. However, in this case, the food simply doesn’t match the atmosphere. With some improvements in ingredient quality and value, this place could better align with the experience it aims to offer.

January 8th, 2026 – Japanese Cuisine Quest stop 14 – Sato Izakaya
✨Overall Score 6/10✨
Ordered:
🍣 Inari Sushi (Unagi), Aburi Sushi (Saumon)
🍢 Chicken Skewers