Yan Ken Pon
Yan Ken Pon
Yan Ken Pon is a Japanese izakaya on Plaza Cascorro in Embajadores, in Madrid's Centro district, specialising in traditional sushi and homemade, slow-cooked ramen. Chef and itamae Akihiro Yano runs the kitchen alongside Twiggy Hirota, a sake sommelier certified by the Japan Culinary Academy. It doubles as a cultural spot, with a Japanese library and workshops. It's under €25 a head.
Social
From yankenpon_sushi_ramen_sake on Instagram
¿Un “bocadillo japonés”? Sí, pero en versión onigiri. 🍙 En @yankenpon_sushi_ramen_sake nos enseñan cómo preparan este clásico japonés: arroz, relleno y mucho sabor en un formato perfecto para comer con las manos. Una opción sencilla, sabrosa y muy japonesa que tienes que probar si pasas por el Mer
Cada viaje a Japón hace crecer también la familia de hōchō de Yan Ken Pon. Hemos comprado cuchillos en Kappabashi, Ueno, y otros rincones de Japón. Algunos eran auténticas obras de arte. Pero con el tiempo hemos aprendido que el mejor cuchillo no siempre es el más bonito ni el más caro. Desde hace
🍣 Día Internacional del Sushi 🍣 Cada pieza cuenta una historia. Hoy celebramos mucho más que uno de los platos más emblemáticos de Japón. En Yan Ken Pon llevamos más de 13 años elaborando sushi cada día en el corazón de Madrid, manteniendo el espíritu del sushi tradicional japonés. Porque creemos
🔥 NUEVA EXPOSICIÓN EN YAN KEN PON 🔥 ¿Te apetece algo diferente este fin de semana? 🎨 Arte tradicional chino 🍣 Sushi artesanal 🍜 Ramen japonés 🖼️ Obras originales a la venta El prestigioso artista chino Xin Zhi expone una selección exclusiva de pinturas y caligrafías en nuestro restaurante. Ven a
🍜✨ ASMR DEL UMAMI ✨🍜 ¿Escuchas ese sonido? El caldo humeando. Los fideos deslizándose. El primer sorbo que te obliga a cerrar los ojos. Desde 2016, en Yan Ken Pon elaboramos ramen cada día siguiendo la tradición japonesa: caldos cocinados lentamente durante horas, ingredientes seleccionados y rece
Cambiamos las chaquetas de chef por un outfit más elegante @clubfinanciero en muy buena compañía y amenizados con un flamenco hondo. Anoche arrancaba, en petit comité y con precioso atardecer, @iberkanpai , la feria de sake y gastronomía que por segundo año consecutivo nos deleita con bodegas y bode
Background
About Yan Ken Pon
The Story
Yan Ken Pon is run by chef Akihiro Yano, a Japanese itamae with more than 15 years' experience who came to Spain drawn by classic Japanese literature, and Twiggy Hirota, half-Japanese and half-Spanish, a sake sommelier (kikisakeshi) certified by the Japan Culinary Academy. Beyond the kitchen, it shares Japanese culture through a library of novels and manga, plus courses and events, all in the spirit of omotenashi.
The Cuisine
The stars are traditional Japanese sushi and homemade ramen, the broth cooked slowly for depth, in versions from meat to vegan, curry, miso or prawn. Around them sit izakaya staples like okonomiyaki, takoyaki, edamame and gyoza, with a selection of Japanese sake.
The Chef
Highlights
What Diners Say
Consensus
Yan Ken Pon Ratings & Reviews
Diner Ratings
4.5
1077
TripAdvisor
4.1
59 reviews
Yan Ken Pon ranks #670 of 1001 rated restaurants in Madrid. Diners rate it 4.1/5 on TripAdvisor (59 reviews).
Reservations
How to Book Yan Ken Pon
Booking
Reservations by phone at 682 82 25 05.
Reserve
Experience
Yan Ken Pon Dining Experience
Warm and cultural, the walls carry Japanese art, books and manga, and the room runs on the omotenashi idea of hospitality as care for the small details. It works as easily for a quiet solo bowl of ramen as for a group dinner, with chef Akihiro Yano's kitchen and a library of novels and manga giving the space its character.
Navigate
Yan Ken Pon Location & Neighbourhood
Address
Plaza de Cascorro, 3, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Get directions→Getting There
It's on Plaza Cascorro in Embajadores, in the Centro district, at the top of El Rastro between La Latina and Lavapiés.
Nearby
Embajadores is old working Madrid, dense and unpolished, and it rewards anyone willing to walk its side streets. The eating runs from taverns that have been there for generations to newer rooms doing something quite different. El Rastro spills through it on market days, and Lavapiés is the same conversation continued uphill.
Nearby landmarks
Landmarks within walking distance of Yan Ken Pon.
Nearby Restaurants
Where to stay nearby
Hotels we rank within walking distance of Yan Ken Pon.
Details
Yan Ken Pon Reservations, Hours & Contact
Opening Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 13:00–17:00 & 19:00–00:00 |
| Tuesday | 13:00–17:00 & 19:00–00:00 |
| Wednesday | 13:00–17:00 & 19:00–00:00 |
| Thursday | 13:00–17:00 & 19:00–00:00 |
| Friday | 13:00–17:00 & 19:00–00:00 |
| Saturday | 13:00–00:00 |
| Sunday | 13:00–17:00 & 19:00–00:00 |
Yan Ken Pon hours verified 2026-09-18. Contact the restaurant to confirm.
Contact
By phone
Good to Know
Questions
Yan Ken Pon FAQ
What kind of food does Yan Ken Pon serve?
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Japanese izakaya food, centred on traditional sushi and homemade, slow-cooked ramen, with staples like gyoza, takoyaki and edamame.
Who is the chef at Yan Ken Pon?
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Akihiro Yano, a Japanese itamae with more than 15 years' experience, alongside sake sommelier Twiggy Hirota.
What area of Madrid is Yan Ken Pon in?
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Embajadores, in the Centro district, on Plaza Cascorro at the top of El Rastro.
Is Yan Ken Pon expensive?
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No, it's under €25 per person.
What does the name 'Yan Ken Pon' mean?
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It's the Japanese term for the rock-paper-scissors game, a playful name for a restaurant built around Japanese hospitality and culture, right down to its own library and workshops.
What's on the menu at Yan Ken Pon?
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Izakaya staples like gyoza, edamame and takoyaki, homemade ramen in meat or vegan versions, plus sashimi, nigiri and maki rolls.
Does Yan Ken Pon have a terrace?
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Yes, it has a terrace.
Are there vegetarian options at Yan Ken Pon?
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Yes, and the homemade ramen comes in a vegan version too.
Does Yan Ken Pon run any workshops or events?
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Yes. It hosts things like sushi courses, sake pairings and origami workshops, and keeps a Japanese library on site.
Who is Twiggy Hirota at Yan Ken Pon?
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Twiggy Hirota is a sake sommelier (kikisakeshi) certified by the Japan Culinary Academy, who runs the venue alongside chef Akihiro Yano.