Five years ago, a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant opened on a quiet Bandra lane and changed how Mumbai looks at Japanese food. Mizu Izakaya, the city’s first modern izakaya, has since become a reference point for Japanese dining in Mumbai, known for its focused menu, precise technique and easy, neighbourhood energy.
Founded by childhood friends Vedant Malik and Chef Lakhan Jethani, Mizu Izakaya was conceived as a space where Japanese food could feel approachable without compromise. The idea was never about excess or performance, but about flavour, hospitality, and food that people would return to, week after week.
At the heart of Mizu Izakaya is Chef Lakhan Jethani’s umami-driven approach to cooking. Trained in hospitality and culinary sciences, and influenced by his understanding of both Japanese cuisine and Indian produce, his menu balances precision with warmth. Ingredients are treated thoughtfully, technique is restrained, and familiarity is valued over fleeting trends. Over the years, several dishes have emerged as clear favourites. The Shio Kombu Mushrooms remain a standout for how they bring together a sea-algae dashi caramel, three varieties of mushrooms and peanut furikake, a dish that feels both simple and deeply flavoured. The Sizzling Mochi, served with sweet and spicy soy, sesame and bocconcini, offers a playful, textural warm starter that regulars return to.
Seafood-led dishes reflect the kitchen’s clean, ingredient-first approach. The Hokkaido Scallop, finished with gondhoraj lime zest, is praised for its clarity and restraint, while the Salmon & Cucumber Gunkan Maki, salmon tartare with mentaiko, tobiko and furikake showcases the restaurant’s ability to present familiar Japanese formats with its own quiet confidence. Other favourites include the Matcha Aduki Apple, a gluten-free dessert with panna cotta, sorbet, and apple compote; the Strawberry Dojima Roll Cake; and the Japanese Milk Tea Parfait layered with boba, mochi, and ice cream.
Reflecting on the milestone, Vedant Malik shares that the vision for Mizu Izakaya has always been centred on longevity through care, focusing on quality, people, and process over spectacle.
As Mizu Izakaya completes five years in Mumbai, it continues to stand for Japanese dining that is thoughtful, flavour-first, and quietly confident. No reinvention, just evolution, guided by consistency and trust earned over time.
Address: Ground Floor, Ganga Jamuna Building 14th Road Pali, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052
Timings: 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm, 6:30 pm – 11:30 pm
For more information follow @mizuizakaya.mumbai
