Blue Jays star Kazuma Okamoto fuels up at Cabbagetown yakitori spot after tough loss
The Jays third baseman visited Zakkushi with Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami and a Japanese TV announcer for late-night izakaya.
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Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto chose comfort food over dwelling on a loss, visiting Cabbagetown yakitori spot Zakkushi on Sunday, July 19, following Toronto's 3–0 defeat to the Chicago White Sox.
Okamoto arrived with White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami and Nippon TV announcer Ren Umezawa. The group enjoyed late-night izakaya bites — karaage and sake among them — turning what could have been a sour evening into a moment of camaraderie across opposing teams. The restaurant shared photos of the visit on Instagram, noting that the crew posed graciously with staff.
Okamoto's presence at Zakkushi is part of a larger pattern: the Jays player has earned a reputation as a local food explorer. Beyond pushing the team to add quesadillas to the clubhouse and stadium menus, he has been sampling restaurants across the city during his downtime.
Zakkushi also benefits from the moment: Okamoto signed the Raptors jersey hanging in the restaurant's window — a piece of memorabilia that now carries added weight. "Thank you so much to Okamoto-san, Murakami-san, Umezawa-san, and their team for making our day. We are sending you endless support all the way from Zakkushi on Carlton," the restaurant wrote.
Okamoto T-Shirt Giveaway Night at Rogers Centre takes place tonight, July 20, as the Jays face the Tampa Bay Rays — another chance for fans to connect with the player.
Good to know
What kind of food does Zakkushi serve?
Zakkushi is a yakitori spot in Cabbagetown, Toronto that serves late-night izakaya bites including karaage and sake.
Where is Zakkushi located?
Zakkushi is located in Cabbagetown, Toronto, on Carlton Street.
