As far as izakayas go, Koyoi isn’t the name on the tip of everyone’s tongue. This is a good thing. The under-the-radar Japanese joint is tucked just off the hubbub that is Yonge Street, serving up a selection of tasty pub food from the Land of the Rising Sun. While patrons often suck back beers to accompany their parade of cheap eats, shochu cocktails are also an izakaya staple.

Shochu is not to be confused with sake, as the former has more in common with vodka than rice wine. The Calpico cocktail ($7.99) matches Moonlight shochu with soda and Calpico — a milky Japanese pop that’s a touch sour and quite refreshing, pairing well with some of the heavier grub such as the curry fries or fried chicken.

Be sure to get the green tea cheesecake for dessert.  

Koyoi, 2 Irwin Ave., 647-351-5128

Karolyne Ellacott is a features editor at Post City Magazines. She pedals around town in heels, eating sandwiches and drinking cocktails. She writes about that, and about other stuff too. She is also on Twitter.

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