Ask any person what kind of cuisine he prefers. Most likely, three out of five will answer you that Japanese, meaning sushi or rolls of rice, vegetables, raw fish and nori seaweed. Perhaps the Japanese themselves are aware of all the variety of Japanese cuisine, and not a particularly large number of real gourmets. The latter always strive to find high-class Japanese restaurants in any country of the world, which serve traditional dishes of Japanese cuisine prepared by the best chefs. In the emirates, fortunately, the choice of Japanese restaurants is wide - from eateries to fine Japanese restaurants. We decided to tell you about one of such luxurious restaurants - Okku Luxury Japanese Restaurant & Lounge, whose concept was born in Dubai. Restaurant starting with lounge
Okku Restaurant & Lounge, located in the luxurious five-star city hotel Monarch Dubai on the Sheikh Zayed Highway, is not the same as in a regular restaurant. It does not begin with a dining room, but with a cozy living room with a bar where families or companies gather to start the evening with one of the institution's signature cocktails. Of course, the most timid can order the classic "Mojito" or "Margarita", but it is better to pay attention to the unusual cocktails that Okku is so famous for and which add not the most familiar ingredients, such as chili peppers or basil and lemon balm leaves. Yes, Okku has the largest collection of Japanese sake in the Middle East, there are even rare races like sparkling sake and Junmai Gijo from Fukuoka Prefecture. A wide selection of wines and champagne, including Dom Perignon of the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s, as well as strong drinks will not leave indifferent any true connoisseur.
The pacifying atmosphere of the lounge and bar is complemented by large aquariums in which large transparent jellyfish smoothly move against a dark blue background. Up and down, up and down, and so on without end .... Their "dance" is fascinating. But it's time to move on to the main thing - to the original dishes of local chefs who arrived in Dubai from Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas and offering all the variety of meat, fish and seafood, vegetables and rice cooked in fusion style. Each of those who work in the kitchen of Okku, at one time gained invaluable experience in such world-famous Japanese restaurants as Nobu, Matsuri, Ono, Sushi Samba (New York), Koi (Los Angeles) and Okada ( Las Vegas). And, of course, it is worth mentioning that many of the delicacies of Japanese cuisine that can be tasted at Okku today were invented by these chefs who impressed such celebrities as Madonna, George Clooney, Bill Clinton, Hilary Swank and Denzel Washington with their art. The combined experience of these cooks in the kitchen and in sushi bars is 134 years. Now let's talk about the menu ...
Not fish, not meat ...
... And all together, sometimes just in striking combinations of tastes and appearance. Okku Restaurant & Lounge specialties include tuna in spices with crispy rice, yellow-tailed fish carpaccio, spicy shrimp tempura, Wagyu beef steak with foie gras, shrimp and spicy tempura rolls and citrus miso soup with black cod. Each signature dish is labeled "O" in the menu. But the most important thing in that restaurant is that many ingredients for delicious and unique lunches and dinners fly here on special flights from Japan - from the famous Tsukiji Market.
Trying at one time the whole variety of dishes in Okku is impossible, despite the special miniature portions designed for one or two people. It is worth making a lot of efforts so that after all merit, appetizer, soup, rolls, sushi-maki, kushiyaki and tempura has been deservedly given up, leave a little room for dessert.
Believe me, banana-chocolate pancakes in sweet sauce, creme brulee with lemongrass, berry compote and caramel rice or cookies with cinnamon, raspberry cream and lemongrass foam in Okku are beyond praise.
Leaving - come back
A pleasant “aftertaste” stays from unobtrusive decor and dim lighting, and from helpful waiters, and from soft music from local DJ Marshall. At Okku Restaurant & Lounge you feel like a piece of Japanese culture and you cannot deny yourself true pleasure - acquaintance with refined Japanese cuisine, cultivated. We dare to assure you - everyone who has already visited Okku will definitely return there. And those who have just learned about the existence of the Okku Restaurant & Lounge will certainly go there tonight and simply can not help but fall in love with the atmosphere of this intriguing place. So see you at Okku?
