In addition to having the largest population of Japanese people and their descendants outside of Japan, São Paulo is also home to hundreds of Asian restaurants. With this in mind, the Japanese government created the JETRO certification: a program by the Ministry of Agriculture that certifies restaurants, bars, and retailers abroad as“Japanese Food Supporters.”
With such a wide variety of restaurants, it’s hard to know which ones actually use ingredients and beverages from Japan. The seal serves as a mark of authenticity and gives customers greater assurance about the origin of the ingredients used at the establishment.
Discover restaurants with the Japanese Food Supporters seal in São Paulo
Udon Jinbei
Opened in 2021, the restaurant has gained fame as one ofthe most sought-after udon spotsin Liberdade. Its focus is on fresh, handmade noodles and carefully crafted broths .
The restaurant’s signature dishes are its various versions of udon. Niku udon (with meat), karma-age udon ( a lighter version), yakiudon ( stir-fried, with a vegan option), and combinations featuring curry and tempura.
📍 Rua Thomaz Gonzaga, 51 – Liberdade
Ague Kazu
This restaurant, specializing in home-style Japanese cuisine and tonkatsu/teishoku, is known for being“authentic Japanese ” and offering great value for money. It is a family business, born from the father’s tradition and now carried on by the new generation.
The focus is on full teishoku meals ( main dish + rice + miso soup + side dishes) and fried dishes like tonkatsu.
📍Rua Doutor Rafael de Barros, 70 – Paraíso
Aizomê Paulista Gastronomia
The restaurant is part of the Aizomê universe, a brand created by chef Telma Shiraishi. It is located on the second floor of a corporate building on Paulista Avenue. The focus is on Japanese cuisine in a more casual setting with a traditional menu, featuring full platters and some individual dishes.
📍Avenida Paulista, 52 – 2nd floor – Bela Vista
Espaço Kazu
The venue is a complex focused on Japanese cuisine that combines a restaurant, a pastry shop, and a grocery store. It is one of the most traditional spots in Liberdade for those who want to dine in peace and explore cuisine beyond sushi.
It’s a Japanese à la carte restaurant, ideal for lunch or dinner. The menu features sushi and hot dishes, appealing to both those looking for teishoku and those who just want set meals and a variety of dishes.
📍84/90 Thomaz Gonzaga Street – Liberdade
Torico Ramen
A restaurant specializing in chicken brothramen ( tori paitan), designed to be quick to prepare, affordable, and yet still serve a well-made bowl. The menu features options such as tori shio, tori shoyu, tantanmen, and tsukemen, all made with organic chicken broth.
📍Rua Thomaz Gonzaga, 110 – Liberdade
NaNaYa Vila Mariana
NaNaYa operates as both a restaurant and a delivery service. It is known for its pastries and coffee, featuring homemade Japanese cuisine. The brand stems from a family tradition, started by a Japanese immigrant and grandfather of Naomichi Murakami, who currently runs the restaurant.
The menu also features dishes such as donburi, yakisoba, teishoku, sushi, and sashimi. The desserts served at NaNaYa are handmade with Japanese inspiration, such as matcha and vanilla cream puffs, as well as cakes and fruit-based desserts.
📍 Rua Pelotas, 596 – Vila Mariana
