Honō Izakaya

The story

Honō Izakaya: Bib Gourmand Japanese Izakaya in Québec City

A Philosophy of Respect, One Plate at a Time

At Honō Izakaya in Québec City’s Saint-Roch neighbourhood, the spirit of the izakaya is lived through consistent, deliberate gestures. The team describes their approach as one of deep respect – for traditions, for ingredients, and for the guest’s experience. There is no fussy decor, no attempt to sway the diner with anything other than the craft itself: a fusion of Japanese culinary techniques and Quebecois ingredients, honed with integrity.

This philosophy has earned Honō Izakaya a Michelin Bib Gourmand, an award that recognises good quality, good value cooking. It is a fitting nod to a kitchen that balances precision with generosity, offering a menu that spans the full spectrum of a classic Japanese izakaya.

From Otsumami to Yakitori

The menu reads like a tour of an izakaya’s greatest hits, each dish prepared in-house. Start with otsumami – small plates like miso soup, edamame with furikake and lime, or house-made kimchi. The tempura and fry section includes korokke (salmon and shrimp croquettes), vegetable tempura, and the beloved karaage fried chicken.

Yakitori is a centrepiece: skewers of chicken thigh (momo), Nagano pork belly (butabara), miso-marinated salmon, confit duck heart (hatsu), and house-made chicken sausage (tsukune). Vegetables get equal attention – leek with yuzu kosho, king eryngii mushrooms confit.

Classic Japanese dishes round out the offering: sashimi platters, tataki of the moment, steamed dumplings (vegetable or Nagano pork), and a wagyu beef skirt steak with black garlic gyu dare. The kitchen also turns out okonomiyaki – both vegetable and BFD versions.

Cocktails with Character

The drink list is as thoughtful as the food. Honō’s cocktails reinterpret classics with Japanese and local twists: a Negroni-inspired La Mer Noire with plum and prosecco, a Margarita-inspired Vert Cheval with avocado purée and rice orgeat, or a Manhattan-inspired Sokkyō with Nikka whisky, ponzu, and maple. There is also a zero-waste Toki highball on tap, plus a rotating selection of local beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic options.

An Izakaya That Knows Its Place

Honō Izakaya wears its Saint-Roch identity proudly. As the team puts it, “Saint-Roch is like a team – we wear it on our jersey, and when players fall, we reach out.” That sense of community, combined with a relentless focus on the craft, makes this Bib Gourmand izakaya a place where the food speaks for itself.