Poised atop a cliff in Nusa Dua and surrounded by the spectacular structure of The Apurva Kempinski Bali, the newly opened Izakaya by OKU is a stylish Nippon-inspired restaurant that reimagines Japanese delicacies.
It is no secret that Japanese food is one of the most highly respected cuisines in the world. For the Japanese, tradition and preparing food are tightly entwined and they believe strongly in following every step of that tradition to create something memorable and perfect for the palate. This dedication and meticulousness is why Japanese food is a favourite with so many people.
Those visiting or living in Bali are now able to taste the authentic flavours of Japanese cuisine presented in a new imaginative way at Izakaya by OKU. Inspired by the award-winning OKU Restaurant at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, the newly launched restaurant takes pride in creating modern Japanese dishes and staying true to original flavours.
The word izakaya refers to a casual after-work hub in Japan where people gather over a meal and drink to unwind and socialise. As a place of gathering, Izakaya by OKU has an elegant but casual ambience, a warm welcome and warm tones that create a relaxing feeling for diners. Consisting of 60 seats, the bistro-like restaurant features an open kitchen to allow guests to watch the preparation of the dishes and the chefs’ craftmanship.
Inside the kitchen, a man with more than 15 years of experience is leading his team toward culinary greatness. Chef Deni Koswara is responsible for crafting amazing dishes that are not just good on the eyes but also the taste buds. Inspired by traditional Japanese cooking methods and ingredients, while drawing on his own inspiration, starters include the amazing Karasumi Pasta made from bottarga, angel hair pasta and sea urchin. Also highly popular is the Oku Karaage, a re-imaged take on the classic dish using crispy chicken, shichi-mi and balsamic teriyaki for a delightfully surprising morsel, not forgetting an array of choices that include sushi, sashimi, and sushi rolls, all made from the freshest and highest quality ingredients possible.
For mains, guests are treated to three different options, udon, don and sumibiyaki. The signature Truffle Gyu Don is a firm favourite among diners and is made using chargrilled US prime short rib beef, truffle sauce and onsen egg served on white rice. If you’re looking for something lighter, the Teriyaki Salmon is a perfectly sized portion. No meal is complete without a dessert, and the restaurant’s take on creative desserts will satisfy every sweet tooth. The Ishi Zen is made from black sesame tofu ponkan marmalade, almond ginger crumble and kalamansi sorbet for a refreshing finish.
If deciding from all these wonderful choices is just too taxing, the restaurant offers Okukase. A clever take on the Japanese word omakase, the Okukase is a seven-course degustation menu based on the chef’s daily selection of the finest-quality in-season dishes paired with sakes and signature cocktails.
Izakaya by OKU is open daily for dinner only.
Izakaya by OKU
The Apurva Kempinski Bali
Jalan Raya Nusa Dua Selatan
Bali 80361, Indonesia
T: (+62) 3612092288
E: restaurants.bali@kempinski.com
Asia Dreams November 2019 – January 2020
