Kemuri Tatsu-ya

A Texas-Japanese izakaya where brisket meets ramen

Kemuri Tatsu-ya is a barbecue restaurant in Austin, Texas.

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.

• Style: Central Texas Style
• Price: $$
• Neighborhood: East Austin
• Serving since 2017

What to order

• Brisket Ramen (Tan Tan)
• Smoked Yakitori
• Chikuwa Cheese
• Whole Smoked Side Dishes

How it scores — 8.3/10 overall

• Smoke: 8.4/10
• Bark: 8.2/10
• Tenderness: 8.3/10
• Consistency: 8.2/10
• Value: 8.6/10
• Atmosphere: 8.6/10

Visiting

• Address: 2713 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78702
• Phone: (512) 803-2224
• Website: https://www.kemuri-tatsuya.com/

Hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm, Fri–Sat 4–11pm, Sun 4–10pm

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