There comes a point in every spirited evening when someone checks the time, everyone chooses to ignore it, and more orders make it to the tab. Dinner may be over, but the evening is far from finished. That's the golden ratio Bangkok's izakayas were made for.
They fill the gap between work and home, and occasionally between the dance floor and the last train. Shakariki 432" has long made that space its own. Whether you stop by on a Tuesday after work or halfway through a Saturday night, each branch bustles with convivial energy, while a generous menu of Japanese fare ensures the table is never short of another plate to pass around.
Keen to revisit a familiar favourite, our team made a beeline for Super Shakariki 432" at Emsphere, for the ultimate Osakan experience.
Vibe: Super Shakariki 432" has all the makings of a proper outing. A full Samurai suit, or katchū, greets you at the entrance, while lantern light, bold crimson accents, and Moyai sculptures give the room plenty of character.
Crowd: Flexibility is one of the destination's greatest strengths. With both indoor and outdoor seating, the space naturally lends itself to everything from family feasts and client dinners to after-work kanpais, date nights, and spontaneous suppers with friends.
If the night gathers momentum, four private karaoke rooms are on hand for celebrations and inevitable encores.
With more than 200 dishes on offer, the trick isn't finding something you're in the mood for. It's really deciding where to begin. The menu stretches from Osakan soul food and sushi classics to grilled favourites, rice dishes, and a selection of vegetarian options, making it an easy crowd-pleaser.
Before tackling the food, we began with a round of drinks. The Tequila Sunrise (THB 299) was familiar in the best possible way, while the Rainbow (THB 159) mocktail arrived looking every bit as fun as its name suggested, layered with grenadine, orange juice, and blue curaçao.
What caught us completely off guard, however, were the silky tofu smoothies. Available in 12 oz (THB 99) and 16 oz (THB 159) servings, Shakariki's tofu smoothies were an unexpected delight. The Brown Sugar Kinako paired silky tofu with caramel-like brown sugar and the nuttiness of roasted soy flour, finished with whipped cream and crisp cornflakes for added texture.
The Chocolate version leaned further into indulgence, blending creamy tofu with rich cocoa.
We eased into the evening with a selection of starters made for sharing. No izakaya visit feels complete without a round of skewers, so the Kushikatsu (10 pieces, THB 299) was an easy first choice, offering a satisfying mix of textures and flavours.
The Towa Toro Tofu (THB 149) was soft and subtle, with silky tofu resting in an umami-rich sauce lifted by just a whisper of wasabi. To brighten the spread, the Kaisen Salad (THB 399) combined thinly sliced sashimi with crisp garden vegetables and a lively dressing that provided some zest.
The Shaka Gyutan (16 pieces, THB 399) completed the selection, presenting tender slices of Japanese ox tongue on a sizzling hot plate, glazed with black pepper, scattered with chives, and served alongside fresh chillies for those who like their flavours with a sharper edge.
Our meal continued with a selection of mains that celebrated the comforting nature of Japanese cuisine. The Joto Katsu Curry (THB 339) offered a balance of textures, with golden katsu layered over steaming rice and finished with a fragrant curry.
The Unagi Dashimaki Don (THB 299) came next, presenting perfect spoonfuls of seasoned rice, tender omelette, and grilled eel. The Piri Kara Salmon Roll (THB 329) added a touch of spice, and the Nigiri Moriawase (nine pieces, THB 755) boasted an assortment of finely crafted sushi.
One of our favourite offerings was the Shibire Nabe (THB 399), a bubbling table-side hotpot filled with delicate slices of beef, enoki mushrooms, and vegetables, bringing a communal element to the meal.
The Tonteki (THB 399) followed with tender bites of pork and chicken finished in a savoury glaze, accompanied by crisp cabbage and potato salad.
To finish, we shared the Kuromitsu Matcha Tofu Warabimochi (10 pieces, THB 199), a clever reinterpretation of a familiar Japanese classic. While it resembled the appearance of traditional warabimochi, the tofu gave it a near custard-like consistency.
The dusting of matcha introduced a welcome hint of bitterness, allowing the dessert to finish on a well-balanced note.
Our standout of the evening was, without question, the Otokomae Funamori (eight varieties of sashimi, THB 999). Arriving atop an eye-catching boat platter, the selection of sashimi immediately drew everyone's attention before quickly disappearing slice by slice.
Each piece demonstrated how little embellishment is needed when the ingredients are treated with such care.
Room 5D 03–05, 5th Floor, Emsphere
628, 630 Sukhumvit Rd, Khlong Tan Subdistrict, Khlong Toei District, Bangkok 10110
Opening Hours: 11 AM to Late
Tel.: +66 (0) 2 125-2899
Instagram: @shakariki_bkk
Website: www.shakariki432.com