ITO

The story

ITO in Köln: Japanese Omakase and Sushi on Antwerpener Straße

ITO is a Japanese restaurant at Antwerpener Str. 15 in Köln, where chef Kengo Nishimi pairs traditional technique with European influences. Schlemmer Atlas awarded it 3 Kochlöffel in 2026, and Michelin lists it as a recommended address for the same year.

Kengo Nishimi's cooking

Nishimi grew up in Fukuoka and builds his dishes on clear lines that leave room for the product, its texture and its flavor. The restaurant describes the style as traditional Japanese cooking, reinterpreted in a modern way. Der Feinschmecker gave ITO 2.5 in 2026 and noted how discreetly he adds international accents to the Japanese kitchen.

Dishes worth ordering

Nordsee shrimp arrive with nori, salted lemon and chili pineapple. The hamachi sashimi comes with yuzu pepper and cantaloupe melon. A shellfish chawanmushi is seasoned with salted plum and jalapeño. In the evening, the five-course omakase moves from soba with dashi to sashimi of scallop and hamachi. The main is sea bass or guinea fowl, and dessert combines kinako, blood orange and tonka bean. Wagyu A5 can be added as a top-up.

Lunch

Midweek lunch menus include a tempura set, a "Special" with black tiger prawns and tuna roll, and a vegetarian version built around king oyster mushroom and tofu cream. Each comes with miso soup and a nigiri selection. Sushi platters, oysters and à la carte nigiri such as toro or Japanese wagyu round out the options.

Room and glass

Dark blues, pale wooden tables and large-format pictures set the tone, relaxed but stylish. The wine list runs to 218 positions, with six poured by the glass. A long sake list sits beside it for those who prefer to drink Japanese.