Kushi-Tei of Tokyo

An intimate Little Tokyo izakaya specializing in real-charcoal yakitori and sushi from a dedicated sushi chef, with lines out the door most evenings.

Price: €€
Best for: Two, for charcoal-grilled yakitori and sushi in the heart of Little Tokyo

The take

One of the anchors of Düsseldorf's Little Tokyo, Kushi-Tei grills its yakitori over real charcoal rather than gas, and keeps a dedicated sushi chef on the fish. It's earned a reputation as one of the more genuinely authentic Japanese kitchens on Immermannstraße — a street with no shortage of competition.

Lunch is walk-in only and moves fast; dinner is a different story — reservations are close to essential, and even then expect a wait on weekends. Worth planning around rather than showing up hopeful.