KAEN Izakaya Opens in Central: What to Know

Central's after-work drinking scene has a new charcoal-scented anchor. KAEN Izakaya has opened on the second floor of Two Exchange Square, bringing everyday Japanese izakaya culture — skewers, highballs, sake by the glass — into one of the district's more polished office towers.

What is KAEN Izakaya?

KAEN Izakaya takes the everyday, unfussy izakaya format — charcoal-grilled skewers, tempura, small plates built for sharing — and sets it inside a contemporary space tuned to Central's after-work pace. The kitchen's charcoal grill turns out skewers described as charred outside and juicy within, seasoned simply with salt and smoke rather than heavy sauces, alongside tempura and a rotating small-plates menu.

On the drinks side, the signature pours are shiso and yuzu highballs, backed up by a seasonal sake selection, beer on tap and cocktails built to go with grilled food rather than compete with it. A happy hour with rotating deals on highballs, sake, wine and champagne makes it a realistic after-work stop, not just a destination dinner.

Why it's worth a visit

Exchange Square isn't the first place most people think to look for a proper izakaya — it's Central's institutional, finance-heavy end of town, all glass towers and lunchtime sandwich queues. That's exactly what makes KAEN a useful addition: a genuine after-work izakaya option that doesn't require crossing into Soho or Wan Chai once the trading floors close.

It also fits a broader pattern this year of Japanese izakaya and yakitori concepts expanding across Hong Kong Island — from Mong Kok chains opening Island branches to independent charcoal grills setting up in Central and Causeway Bay. For a wider look at the format, see our guide to Hong Kong's best happy hour deals.

For more of Central's dining scene, browse our restaurants section or see our roundup of this week's new Hong Kong openings.

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