irori im Isenhof

The story

irori im Isenhof in Knittelsheim: Japanese Cooking in a Historic Setting

The hearth and the kitchen

irori im Isenhof in Knittelsheim brings a focused Japanese cuisine to a renovated seventeenth century timber frame structure. Chef Max Goldberg opened his doors in October 2024 to host guests around a central stove that serves as both a cooking tool and a social anchor. Guests encounter a nine course surprise menu that unfolds over four hours, with each plate adjusted to match the exact day of harvest.

A conscious blend of regions and seasons

The kitchen balances Palatinate and Baden harvests with carefully sourced imports like Wagyu beef, Tahitian vanilla, and Madagascar chocolate. Max Goldberg avoids rigid rules when combining these elements. Local vegetables are frequently pickled or fermented to extend their natural shelf life while deepening their flavor profiles. The Schlemmer Atlas recognized this approach with three and a half spoons, noting how Japanese-style cooking stays rooted in place rather than chasing trends.

Gathered around the fire

Kerstin Bauer manages the front of house with a focus on steady hospitality rather than formal service rituals. The dining room retains its original wooden beams and low ceilings to preserve the historic weight of the building. Visitors sit close together near the central stove, mirroring the quiet rhythm of Japanese hospitality. Weekend pop ups occasionally move the same setup to neighboring valleys along the Deutsche Weinstraße.