
Rei is a little darker, a little more intimate, a little louder — and yet designed with the same signature style that makes Buya Ramen one of the most popular ramen spots. In March 2025, Sascha Brand’s team opened the next chapter with Rei, a bar and izakaya in front of Buya’s premises on Reichenberger Straße. Japanese-inspired, with a focus on comfort food, exceptional drinks, and live performances. The team includes Gennaro De Simone, previously at Soho House London, who is responsible for the exciting cocktail menu. Sake specialist Yuuki Itoh (who some may remember from Sake 36) carefully curates the sake menu and accompanies tastings and events. Luis Velasco, who worked at Buya, is doing his magic in the kitchen. Rei feels like a secret sanctuary: where a Späti used to be, there is now a space with warm textures, an analog sound system, and subdued lighting. A setting with plenty to discover, starting with the window fronts, covered in graffiti and posters. The modular interior, which can be used to separate individual rooms, tables, and events, creates a new look every evening. In culinary terms, Rei is deeply rooted in Japanese street food culture, reinterpreted with local ingredients and an international twist.
The menu is designed for sharing — Karaage Chicken, King Prawns, Pork & Tofu Gyoza, Sticky Ribs, Green-Fired Beef, Charred Cabbage, and Aonori Fries. Vegetarian and vegan dishes such as Tofu Karaage or Celeriac Bites are not alternatives, they’re main protagonists. Music isn’t a backdrop, but another protagonist. In the future, there’ll be changing DJs playing vinyl on Fridays and Saturdays, on Wednesdays there will be “naked jazz” live sessions, on Thursdays occasional acoustic live concerts, and every fortnight on a Sunday, tango dancing.
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Sonni Frej
Rei Bar, Reichenberger Str.36, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
@reibar.berlin