Kemuri Tatsu-ya

“A Texas-Japanese izakaya where brisket meets ramen”

From the team behind Ramen Tatsu-ya, Kemuri Tatsu-ya turns a kitschy, atmospheric East Austin room into a full collision of Texas barbecue and Japanese pub food. It is an izakaya first and a smokehouse second, but the smoke is real, and the mashup is far more considered than the playful decor lets on. The brisket ramen — the Tan Tan bowl — folds Central Texas smoke into a rich, spiced broth, while smoked yakitori threads oak flavor through Japanese skewer tradition. The chikuwa cheese is a craveable bar snack, and whole smoked side dishes reward a table ordering across the menu with sake, beer, and tsukemono in hand. This is one of a kind: not barbecue with a Japanese garnish, but two traditions genuinely cooking together on the same plate, in the same East Austin room.