Today we’re thrilled to introduce you to an authentic Japanese restaurant that has been operating in Frankfurt for years: Mangetsu, which translates to “full moon.” It’s common in Japan to name places after elements of nature, like the moon or mountains, as they hold poetic beauty and deep cultural significance. The full moon, symbolizing beauty, perfection, and a sense of calm in Japanese culture, is often linked to traditional celebrations like Tsukimi (moon-viewing), where people appreciate the beauty of the full moon in autumn. Also representing cycles, renewal and a moment of reflection, this thoughtful name adds a serene touch to Mangetsu’s ambiance.
With seating both indoors and outdoors, Mangetsu offers a comfortable dining environment, whether you prefer the cozy bar or a tranquil spot in their spacious courtyard, surrounded by neatly trimmed trees and umbrellas for shade or shelter. On a nice day, there’s nothing more pleasant than enjoying a selection of Japanese delicacies in this peaceful setting. Known for its dedication to tradition, Mangetsu cares a lot about delivering authentic flavors, using the time-honored techniques of Japanese cooking.
Restaurant Profile
- Name of the Restaurant: Mangetsu (incl. Menu)
- Adress: Varrentrappstraße 57, 60486 Frankfurt am Main
- Style: Japanese Cuisine – Sashimi, Sushi Rolls, Grills, Fried Foods, Hot Pot, Noodle Soups, Vegetarian Dishes
- Price: around 25 – 40 EUR per Person (incl. Drinks and Tips)
Mangetsu offers a wide variety of sashimi dishes that can be enjoyed in many different ways. You can opt for an extensive sashimi plate, enjoy a few slices atop a fresh salad for a light meal, or start with a small portion as an appetizer. Among the diverse selection of fish, including tuna and salmon, we find their Flounder Carpaccio particularly exceptional.
Flounder Carpaccio is a delicate Japanese sashimi dish that highlights the fresh, natural flavors of the fish. The flounder is served in paper-thin slices, flaunting its tender texture and clean, yet rich, fish flavor. Topped with a tangy variety of caviar, it adds an elegant pop and subtle brininess.
A light drizzle of olive oil enhances the silkiness of the flounder, while the hint of sourness, likely from vinegar and ponzu soy sauce, gives the dish a refreshing balance. When you wrap each slice with caviar pearls and crisp daikon and carrot strips, each mouthful becomes a light, slightly tangy indulgence —exactly what great sashimi should taste like: fresh, balanced, and pure.
After enjoying the light and refreshing flavors of sashimi, it’s time for something heartier: Beef Tenderloin (150g), a tender steak sliced into 10 savory pieces, each seasoned simply with salt and pepper and cooked to a perfect medium doneness—lightly charred on the outside and juicy with a slight chew inside.
The dish comes with three distinct sauces, each bringing a unique taste to each bite. The daikon sauce in the center delivers a bold, tangy punch, cutting through the richness of the beef. On the right, a mildly sour ponzu sauce with a garlicky kick adds brightness, while the left-side sauce – a smoky and mildly sweet take on teriyaki sauce – provides a smooth finish. Each sauce has its own flair, enhancing the beef’s naturally rich flavors and creating a satisfying, layered experience.
Aside from the steak, Mangetsu offers a variety of authentic Japanese grilled dishes, from mackerel to seafood and poultry. One standout we often order is Ika Yaki, or grilled squid.
This dish is paired with a creamy Japanese mayo and ginger paste, adding a zesty kick to the rich, slightly sweet flavors of the squid. The squid is lightly brushed with soy sauce and miso while grilling, enhancing its natural brininess with a hint of umami. It’s tender yet slightly chewy, with just the right amount of bite. Each mouthful combines the savory, subtle smoky notes from the grill with the smoothness of the mayo and the bright spice of ginger, making it light yet very flavorful.
Grilled foods are favored in Japanese cuisine for being low in oil and relatively healthy. With simple seasonings that highlight freshness, this dish shows how grilling delivers a tasty meal without heavy sauces or excess fat – a good example of Japan’s health-conscious food culture.
Sukiyaki is a traditional Japanese hot pot dish featuring thinly sliced beef, tofu, mushrooms, Chinese cabbage, leeks, glass noodles, tonghao (crown daisy), onions, and carrots, all simmered in a sweetened soy sauce broth. The vegetables absorb the sweet and savory flavors of the broth, becoming tender while retaining a delightful crunch.
What really elevates this dish is the ritual of dipping the freshly cooked beef into raw, beaten egg before eating. During my visit to a cozy hot pot restaurant in Japan, I had the pleasure of experiencing hot pot with farm-fresh ingredients. The bright orange yolks – a sign of high-quality, well-nourished chicken eggs— coated the juicy beef with a buttery, luxurious silkiness, creating an indulgence I had never experienced before and still think about to this day.
Now, this authentic way of enjoying sukiyaki is also available at Mangetsu. Their fresh egg dip is rich and smooth, without any off-putting smell. Once dipped, it forms a layer of creaminess that mixes seamlessly with the sweet umami soy sauce while softening the slightly chewy, tender beef slices. Each bite becomes velvety and luscious. There’re no overpowering flavors – just a perfect blend of sweet, umami and creamy notes that melt together beautifully.
Many diners who enjoy Japanese cuisine often like to focus on small dishes, rather than filling up quickly on a large main course. This way, they can experience a variety of flavors and ingredients in one meal—whether it’s grilled dishes or sashimi. However, after sampling all the delicate plates, there’s often a little room left for something more solid. That’s when we like to finish with rice balls.
At Mangetsu, the rice balls come in a pair, each wrapped in crisp seaweed—the same kind typically used for sushi rolls. One is filled with freshly grilled salmon for a warm, savory bite, while the other is filled with salted plums. The plums offer a bold contrast with their floral aroma, a punch of tartness, and a touch of salt, creating a strong, refreshing flavor. Together, these rice balls are both satisfying and comforting, making them the perfect way to round out a meal and settle all the preceding flavors in the stomach.
Beyond the dishes already mentioned, Mangetsu also features a lunchtime menu with dishes like sushi, sashimi, warm noodle soups, and more, priced between 12 to 20 euros. They have an impressive selection of small delicacies, such as fried chicken, squid, and tofu, as well as grilled skewers with vegetables or meat. For sushi lovers, they offer various types of nigiri and sushi rolls with creative combinations, alongside grand sashimi platters. You’ll also find a variety of noodle dishes like soba and ramen.
In 2013, UNESCO declared Japanese cuisine (Washoku) an Intangible Cultural Heritage, further solidifying its global popularity. On China’s top food platforms, Japanese food often tops the list as the nation’s favorite, even surpassing many popular local dishes. Mangetsu cherishes the traditional way – elegant presentation and an emphasis on nutrition and freshness. With minimal seasoning, you can often taste the purity of the food’s natural flavor, making you feel like almost rhyming with nature itself. With its diverse menu offerings, Mangetsu can easily be a go-to spot whenever you’re craving a bite of authentic Japanese food.
