Gen Yamamoto

There is something special about this place. Gen made room for me and a friend one night and it was a magical experience. The truly magical experience of alcohol, fruits, and some true mixology make this place one of my favorite cocktail spots of all time. We drank some hard to find stuff mixed impeccably well.
Warm wood bar, friendly host, and some of the nicest fellow patrons I have ever met make this one of the best bars in the world in my book. I have been to many cocktail bars and nothing compares to this amazingly well catered, well executed experience.
Amazing.Nothing like it anywhere else in the world. Nothing.

Gen Yamamoto is located in Minato tucked away in a little laneway from the major street. It’s a no glitz or glamour bar. It’s the bare minimum with about 8 – 10 seats around the bar. It’s not your typical bar filled with different types of liquor. Yamamoto only houses a few bottles since it’s a true mixologist cocktail bar experience. No shots or raging here.
It’s a relax, classy, and intimate atmosphere with no background music. The bar is wood with the traces of the faded finish. Yamamoto barely speaks and the only time he talks is when he explains the drink. He keeps his cold and focus expression throughout the whole experience. He maintains his professionalism like other Japanese in the culinary industry I’ve encountered. It’s impressive but it makes me want to buy him a drink.
Now, the experience. Gen Yamamoto only serves two tasting menus, which are 4 or 6 drinks. It’s reasonably price for the experience which includes a cover charge. I met a Tokyo local here and I went cheap on her a$$. Hey… I don’t save them!
The drinks:
1) Pomodori — The sweet fruity drink had flavors of tomato. It was light and refreshing and the presentation was simple.
2) Pineapple Sake — The tropical and tart taste of the pineapple added a layer of sweetness to the already sweet Sake.
3) Watermelon — This drink was infused with watermelon and came in a slushy. The sweet drink was a great way to end the session.
Overall, I would recommend Gen Yamamoto. It’s a really relaxing way to start the night and Yamamoto speaks English. He doesn’t accept walk ins, so you have to make reservations.

A must do experience when in Japan, it’s worth the price. Our first drink was Sake with a sweet (fruit like) tomato. Second drink was also Sake with yellow fruit. The drink was fruity until you bit into a piece of radish that calmed the sweetness (my favorite drink). Third drink was a ginger and Jin. Finally, we ended with whiskey and apple. The drink was warm and it was a perfect way to end the 4 drink selection. I will be back next time I’m in Tokyo! Thank you chef!!!

What a lovely cocktail tasting experience. My boyfriend and I visited Tokyo a few weeks ago with some friends and he found Gen Yamamoto’s bar online. It is very elegantly decorated and the lighting is perfect. You must make a reservation for a cocktail tasting. You show up and sit down at the bar and Gen Yamamoto makes 4 or 6 different cocktails (you decide if you’d like to try the 4 drinks or if you’d prefer 6) and you are served one at a time. They are the most delicious drinks I have ever had and presented beautifully. He makes them in front of you with fresh ingredients. He speaks perfect english because he spent some time in New York City years ago so he tells you exactly how he makes each drink. I highly recommend making a reservation for a cocktail tasting at Gen Yamamoto’s bar if you are in Tokyo… it was one of our favorite experiences.

My favorite culinary experience in Tokyo — and there is tough competition! We entered off the crazy streets during a summer festival into a bar that felt very zen. Even though we were 15 minutes late, Gen was very gracious. He created and poured cocktails with the concentration of a tea ceremony. Each drink was a new experience and surprising. If michelin awarded stars to a cocktail bar — this would get three stars easily. We ordered the 4 cocktail flight but after the first cocktail, changed it to six. Phenomenal.

Exceptional in a way that words cannot describe. The ambience is minimalistic and serene. Gen Yamamoto is about perfection and attention to subtle details — every drink is unique — Gen’s recipe and made with utmost detail and accuracy. The tasting menu is incredible and so are drinks. A quintessential bar experience in Tokyo. Highly recommended.

This guy is unbelievably talented. A gem of a spot that people don’t know about. The rest of my visit in Tokyo will be overshadowed by this…
The menu has single cocktails or a choice of a 4 cocktail or 6 cocktail tasting menu.
When in Rome, you take advantage. Yes, I’ll have that 6 cocktail tasting please…
Like many upscale or elite places in Tokyo, there is an automatic fee (a ‘sitting’ fee) tacked onto your visit. Ranges from $ 10 to $ 17 USD. But don’t frown upon because the service is impeccable. Utilize it with conversation & knowing everything you can about the cocktail to attempt to make back at home, or at least emulate it.
6 cocktails got me buzzed quite well. These are moderate in size, but don’t be fooled. Pace yourself…
Compilation of each cocktail…
Cocktail #1: ginger, Sochu & spirits
Cocktail #2: peach, papaya, sweet potato spirit
Cocktail #3: tomato, Sochu, passion fruit bits
Cocktail #4: peppercorn leaf, strawberry purée, Spanish gin
Cocktail #5: Pomelo & grapefruit, wasabi, & sparkling sake
Cocktail #6: kiwi & Sake Sochu (from many prefectures), milk, fennel
Cocktails 1, 4, & 5 were spicy & sweet. The rest were sweet. All were STRONG. This guy knew how to read my preferences ^_​^
Sold. Someday I’ll be back…
NYC needs to catch up, and fast. The world has amazing cocktail spots where these gentleman in different countries compete in contests or know their craft crazily well.
Ridic.