Part Japanese izakaya and part Central Texas smokehouse, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya is a place where you can get chili cheese takoyaki, smoked eel bento boxes, and yakitori skewers under one roof. And it all happens in a dining room that looks like a Texas hunting lodge that picked up its decor from a vintage store in Tokyo (there are also lots of robots). Japanese-inspired tiki drinks keep the energy going when you start to slow down after a second serving of taiyaki cornbread with sesame butter, and if you need even more energy, head into the bathroom for a simulated thunderstorm over the lights and speakers while you wash your hands.

Brisket ramen at Kemuri Tatsu-ya, a “Texas izakaya” in Austin, Tex. The dish was an early attempt by Kemuri’s chefs and owners, Takuya Matsumoto and Tatsu Aikawa, to create a hybrid Japanese-Texan cuisine.Credit...Valerie Chiang for The New York Times

In 2017, Tatsu launched Kemuri Tatsu-ya, which combines Japanese drinking food, Texas smoked meats and other shareable small dishes with an izakaya-style bar. The East Austin restaurant features unconventional dishes such as a jellyfish menudo salad containing hominy — like the Mexican soup it’s named after — alongside smoked brisket boasting a sesame pecan rub and an edamame verde that blends Texas herbs with a shiso leaf pesto. All can be washed down with elaborate craft cocktails and extensive lists of sake and shochu.

You won’t find a restaurant like Kemuri Tatsu-Ya anywhere else in the world. This gem of an Izakaya (think Japanese tapas bar) where a fusion of Japanese and Texan menu items are served has everything you want in a great restaurant: killer ambiance, friendly service, and absolutely out-of-this-world delicious food. The goal here is to try as many different menu items as you can comfortably manage from their menu divided up into munchies, raw fish, smoked meats, skewers, exotic items, and dessert.

This Texan izakaya concept from ramen gurus Tatsu Aikawa and Takuya Matsumoto marries barbecue-inspired Asian dishes with a wide variety of beer, sake, shochu, Japanese whiskey, and inventive cocktails. Start with playful snacks – like their take on a Hot Pocket and chili cheese takoyaki – before moving on to yakitori, kushiyaki, and a menu of smoked items (order the BBQ Boat to try a selection of proteins). Be sure to save room for brisket ramen – around these parts, it’s considered dessert.

Expertly melding the bones of a Texas barbecue joint with a Japanese izakaya, chef-owner Tatsu Aikawa (of Ramen Tatsu-ya fame) has somehow managed to wrangle the flavors of wood smoke, Tex-Mex, yakitori, sashimi, and a whiskey tumblers’ worth of stoner food into their honky-tonk-by-way-of-Tokyo. Instead of Frito pie, you get chili cheese takoyaki brimming with octopus fritters and beef cheek chili. The banana pudding skips the dollop of Cool Whip for matcha and miso caramel.

From the chef/owners of Ramen Tatsu-Ya comes Kemuri Tatsu-ya, offering its own brand of ramen. Based on past Ramen Tatsu-Ya collaborations with Franklin’s BBQ, some speculate the brisket used in Kemuri’s ramen is Franklin’s own!. It’s a toss-up as to which Kemuri offering is best, the Texas Ramen with said ‘Franklin’ brisket and a classic execution or with a savory, thick dipping BBQ ramen serving up that same, melt-in-your-mouth brisket.

It was only a matter of time before the BBQ-loving cultures of Japan and Texas came together, and we’re lucky it came together so beautifully in the form of Kemuri Tatsu-ya. A casual izakaya spot that’s only fault is making it so difficult to choose from all the exciting inventions on the menu (chili-cheese takoyaki?! Tokyo street corn?! Smoked fish collar with yuzu salt?!). The cocktail menu matches the inventiveness of the food.

You'll want to make sure to order all of the skewered meat and fish at Kemuri Tatsu-Ya. Kemuri Tatsu-Ya: The owners of Austin's most popular ramen restaurant opened their Japanese-Texas izakaya roadhouse in 2017 and the restaurant is still one of Austin's most exciting, intriguing and unique concepts. The group opened a barbecue-ramen hybrid restaurant last spring that recently closed after about a year in business.

This ramen restaurant is the sister establishment of Ramen Tatsu-ya. Try the Texas Ramen for a real Austin spin on the classic Japanese dish featuring beef broth, brisket, ajitama, bamboo, scallion, nori, pickled mustard greens, and mung sprouts. The BBQ Tsukemen is another great option with kotteri dipping broth, brisket, ajitama, lime, smoked jalapeno, and hierbas de Tejas.

So much of the ocean remains undiscovered, and so many of us are clinging to our tuna, salmon, and shrimp — the status quo. Things are different at Kemuri Tatsu-ya, which has an entire menu section for hard-to-find “exotics” and “rarities.” Monkfish is one of the most prized (and visually terrifying) delicacies offered, famed for its delicious taste despite its hideous face.

2713 E 2nd St. | Kemuri Tatsu-Ya offers ample comfort and adventure for guests seeking both. A reflection of owner and chef Tatsu Aikawa’s Japanese background and central Texas upbringing, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya, inspired by the word “smoke” in Japanese, is a full service, full bar restaurant serving smoked meats, yakitori, ramen and izakaya classics. Photo by Hayden Walker

But I didn’t add Kemuri just for the sake of adding a black sheep to my list. This is truly some of the best barbecue in Texas… with a Japanese/Texan twist. If you are into food, then you are already well aware of the epic food empire (Ramen Tatsu-ya, DipDipDip Tatsu-ya, and Domo Alley Gato Tatsu-ya) run by Tatsu Aikawa, Takuya “Tako” Matsumoto, and Shion Aikawa.

Next time you have friends visiting from out of town and want to show them some Texas-y food with a twist, make a res at Kemuri Tatsu-Ya. Their Texan/Japanese fusion menu is certain to have items you've never tried before, including one of the most unique dishes we've found around town: Jellyfish. Not only is it fun and different, but also extremely delicious.

Get ready for a mind-blowing fusion of Texas smoke and Japanese izakaya cool at Kemuri Tatsu-ya!. This East Austin gem, from the acclaimed Tatsu-ya team, offers a truly unique dining experience, blending traditional Japanese pub fare with bold Texas barbecue flavors. A meal here is an invitation to explore their inventive menu.

Kemuri means “Smoke” in Japanese, and there’s plenty of kemuri at this izakaya style Japanese restaurant. There’s a robata grill where you can savor juicy yakitori with perfectly charred crispy skin. There’s also a BBQ boat on the menu, as in Texas BBQ, which means fatty smoked delicious brisket and succulent duck.

Assorted Japanese food including sushi and sashimi By jwalsh Wikimedia Commons. Located in the former Live Oak Barbecue spot, the smoke-stained walls and rustic setting lend a Texas feel to the Japanese hotspot. Starting as a rest stop, Kemuri Tatsu-Ya became popular for its amazing food and became a restaurant.

Located between Holly and Govalle in East Austin, three blocks from the Colorado River, Kermui- Tatsu-ya is a funky Texas-style Izakaya. They serve a myriad of authentic Japanese spirits, sake, beer, cocktails, and a unique menu of Japanese Texas fusion cuisine. You won’t find more creative cocktails.

Infusing Japanese and Texas influence, Kemuri Tatsuya is like nowhere else you’ll find in Austin—in the world, for that matter. Its unique food and drink offerings match the intimate atmosphere. It’s perfect for date night—stick around for the moody vibes.

Tatsu Aikawa and Tako Matsumoto were responsible for kicking off Austin’s ramen craze when they opened Ramen Tatsu-ya in 2012 (Houston now has a location, too). Ever since then, everything the duo touches has turned to gold.

Great place to order a bunch of dishes and share around the table. Sit inside or out, but make a reservation if visiting on the weekend - it has a habit of being busy.

It might seem strange to have a Japanese restaurant at the end of all this, but Kemuri has some amazing barbecue with flavors you won’t find anywhere else!