First-of-its-kind Japanese gastropub brings yakitori, sushi to Jacksonville Beach

Konnichiwa! A first-of-its-kind Japanese gastropub featuring freshly made, hand-crafted yakitori, sushi and other Asian small plates recently debuted in Jacksonville Beach.

Now in its soft opening, Izakaya Ko at 1198 Beach Blvd., Unit 9, is the new concept from restaurateur brothers Jimmy and Johnny Tung, who founded the Florida Pan Asian restaurant chain Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi in Gainesville during the summer of 2002.

The gastropub replaces the Beach Boulevard Bento, which recently closed along with the Brooklyn Place Bento at 50 Riverside Ave. near downtown Jacksonville. Bento Asian Kitchen + Sushi remains open at 4860 Big Island Drive at The Markets at Town Center.

Izakaya Ko is a joint venture of the Tung brothers and Adi Wiwaran, former head chef of Norikase, a popular upscale omakase and hand roll sushi restaurant at 9734 Deer Lake Court in Tinseltown. The brothers also own Norikase, which evolved from a Bento restaurant.

“We were inspired by Jax Beach’s laid-back beach vibes and decided to open this concept near the beach," Johnny Tung said last month in a news release announcing plans for Izakaya Ko, which he noted is Jacksonville's "first izakaya-focused restaurant.”

On the menu at Izakaya Ko

Izakaya literally translates to "stay-drink-place" and is Japan’s unique version of a traditional pub.

"Widely known for its laid-back atmosphere, small plates and vast drink selection, an izakaya serves as a social hub where friends and co-workers gather to grab a drink, settle in and get comfortable," according to the news release.

Izakaya Ko features hot and cold small plates, yakitori and kushiyaki along with sushi and sashimi and nigiri, beer and sake.

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Menu offerings include Binchotan charcoal-grilled meat skewers, shareables such as takoyaki and karaage, hokkaido scallop carpaccio and sushi and sashimi staples. A selection of curated Asian beers and sake complement the menu, according to the news release.

The restaurant, designed by Jacob Portillo, has about 60 seats in the dining room and a 10-seat sushi bar where casual omakase will be offered with multiple seating times nightly, Izakaya Ko officials said.

Izakaya Ko is open from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, restaurant officials said.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Japanese gastropub Izakaya Ko opens in Jacksonville Beach