In a matter of months, Sacramento went from having zero to two izakaya-style dining options.

Takumi is now softly open at 826 J Street, the former Sushi Paradiso space. While it also imports binchotan charcoal and offers a variety of grilled skewers like Binchoyaki Izakaya Dining, Takumi sets itself apart with a much larger menu, including sushi. That fits, since Takumi comes from the same owners as Banzai Sushi and Banzai Japanese Kitchen in Davis.

There are small, izakaya-style plates, such as honey miso ribs ($8.95) and monkfish liver with ponzu ($13.95). There are nine types of ramen, including one with lobster ($50). And, buried in different sections, there are a few dishes that are quite unusual for Sacramento: stingray fin ($7.95), salmon carpaccio with truffle oil ($14.95), uni carbonara ($14.95); and sea snail ($8.95) and foie gras ($14.95) yakitori.

The yakitori is generally more expensive than those at Binchoyaki, but Takumi’s orders come with two skewers instead of Binchoyaki’s one.

Look for Takumi’s grand opening in August. 

Photo courtesy of Takumi