Japanika

About

Hours: Sunday through Thursday--12 noon to last customer Friday--12 noon to one hour before Shabbat Saturday evening--one hour after Shabbat ends until last customer Delivery hours: Sunday through Thursday--12 noon to midnight Friday--12 noon to 3 p.m. Saturday night--9:30 p.m. to midnight Kosher--Rabbanut Jerusalem We have to admit it--we are biased. From the day the first sign went up, each day when our bus passed, we watched the renovations as Japanika took shape on Derech Bet Lechem in 2013. Since it opened in June 2013, it has become our regular "going out place" and a place to introduce our friends to Japanese cuisine, *Whether you call it sugoi (great), saikou (the best) or kakkoii (awesome), it is special. This franchise, owned by Ben Teper, also franchisee of an Aroma cafe in Rishon le'tzion, is now managed by a lovely young couple. Peleg Cologne, 25 years old, has been with this Japanika since it opened, his first job after completing the army and world traveling. Also managing is 24-year-old Maayan Ben Shmuell, who has been with the Jerusalem restaurant since it opened, is pursuing a degree in economics and Eastern Asian studies at the Hebrew University, and came with five years experience from Japanika in Rishon. A chef runs the kitchen, and there are three Chinese sushi makers in this restaurant, one of 25 in the chain (and only one of two which are kosher). One major change since opening is the addition of business lunches served from 12 noon to 5 p.m.There are four choices, ranging in price from NIS 46 to NIS 63 and include an appetizer and cold beverage. Another nice addition are home or business deliveries on electric, speed-controlled motorcycles with insulated food containers. Walk through the black wrought iron fence up to the glassed entrance; there are glassed-in patios on either side, with wood tables and black leather chairs seating 26 on one side and 32 on the other. Continuing into the building itself, one passes a Jerusalem stone area for