FOOD : Kibako, the ultimate Japanese dining experience
Located in the vibrant district of Fitzrovia, London, Kibako restaurant takes its patrons on an unforgettable gastronomic journey through the exquisite flavours of Japan.
Kibako loosely means ‘wooden box’ and the restaurant is named after their signature kibako – expertly curated, omakase-style boxes of hand-crafted sushi and sashimi, chosen especially by the kitchen for their diners.
REVIEW OF KIBAKO, OMAKASE STYLE JAPANESE RESTAURANT, FITZROVIA, LONDON
Enter the restaurant and walk past the line of extremely friendly chefs who all greet you with glee. Continuing past the kitchen prep area, the ‘box theme’ is evident as the dining room resembles a box - there’s no windows only a few steps down into a very sleek and contemporary space, where you are instantly captivated by the minimalist decor that reflects the Japanese aesthetic.
The menu at Kibako is a harmonious blend of traditional and modern Japanese cuisine, showcasing the culinary expertise of the talented chefs.
Dishes combine specialist Japanese ingredients such as Sanpuku nori and Kagoshima Wagyu beef with the highest-quality produce from around the world, including hand-picked Maldon rock oysters and 36-month aged organic Parmigiano Reggiano.
We came for their incredible Opening Offer of 4 courses which is available NOW for only £39.99, usually £94.00. You can buy your voucher here - www.kibakolondon.com/openingoffer but be quick about it as its about to expire soon!
We tried this 4 course A5 Wagyu and Seafood menu which includes
1st course- Chefs special appetizer.
2nd Course – Sushi box- Selection of 9 sushi and sashimi, served with aged soy sauce & freshly grated Japanese wasabi
3rd course- -Japanese wagyu steak & 48hrs marinated black cod. Served with shiitake rice, homemade miso soup, tsukemono, grilled veg, gomae
4th course – Yuzu posset, yogurt foam, caramel chocolate, and pineapple carpaccio
There are more courses available for an additional supplement which I will mention as I walk you through the menu.
We started with a cup of Matcha Gin paired with Chef’s Appetizer which was a Wagyu Croquette. Bite sized and enough to tantalize the palate. The matching Matcha Gin was so unexpected and delicious. Two drink flavours I would never think of pairing worked magically together.
PS the crockery was unreal, very heavy and very beautiful which immediately elevates the dining experience.
Then we enjoyed the Hand-picked Maldon Rock Oyster with aged soy sauce (£3 additional supplement). The presentation at Kibako definitely lures you in and only impresses more as you progress through the menu.
One of my favourite bites was the Scallops, with plum and ponzu (£5 additional supplement). Plump slilky scallop sitting atop a puddle of ponzu, the quintessentially Japanese citrus-based sauce, which offers a symphony of vibrant and complex flavours that elevate any dish it graces. This dish burst with the tanginess enhancing the natural flavours of scallop.
I am the biggest tuna fan and cannot resist fresh tuna so I was over the moon when this was delivered to the table. Seared premium fatty tuna sashimi with red jalapeno (additional supplement £7).
Fatty tuna sashimi, also known as otoro and indulging in a slice of this delicacy is like experiencing a symphony in your mouth. The marbled flesh melts effortlessly, releasing rich, buttery notes that linger on your palate. Each bite is a delicate balance of tenderness and a luxurious indulgence. The translucent pink hues of the fish hint at its high fat content, which gives it the velvety texture that sushi connoisseurs crave. Exceptional bites.
I love a little table side theatre, and Kibako deliver this fresh wasabi root grated at your table and plated ready for your Sushi Box.
Fresh wasabi delights the senses with its vibrant flavour and unique characteristics. Unlike its more common counterpart, the paste made from horseradish and mustard, fresh wasabi offers an unparalleled experience. Its green hue is visually captivating, and its aroma is delightfully pungent, with hints of grass and earthiness. The taste is a harmonious balance of spiciness and sweetness, with a subtle floral note that lingers on the palate. Fresh wasabi adds a burst of flavour to any dish, elevating the simplest of meals into something truly extraordinary. Its complexity and rarity make it a sought-after ingredient among chefs and food enthusiasts alike, making it a true culinary treasure and I was fascinated to watch the care taken with this most precious food source.
A tray of aged soy sauce was also presented and a very well aged soy sauce poured for our Sushi Box.
Up next the show stopper! Visually stunning, this 12 piece Sushi Omakase Box is a sight to behold and luckily all the food offerings are cold, because you will spend a serious amount of time in awe but also taking a few hundred photographs from every angle.
The box glistens like an opened jewellery or trinket box, offering exceptional umami treasures that delight and enthral the palate.
Some of the 9 delights (the other 3 bowls are your ginger, wasabi and soy sauce) included :
Confit Smoked Aubergine (incredible)
Salmon caviar and parmesan
More fatty tuna
Silky tofu
I wasn’t sure how Kibako could continue to raise the bar throughout this dining experience but then Chef Padam trumps the Sushi Box with this Hot Stone Prawn Tempura Roll (additional supplement £12) presented in a closed box with an intricate gold pattern on it. Inside a roll laden with hot crispy battered juicy prawn laid ontop of sushi rice and covered in panko breadcrumbs.
I’d happily eat this again.
With your deal you can add a Wine and Sake pairing with the menu. It costs £15 additional supplement for lunch and £22 for dinner.
We had a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the Matcha Gin, and three types of sake.
Japanese sake, is often referred to as "rice wine". The process begins with carefully polished rice grains, which are fermented using specific types of yeast. The result is a beverage that embodies a graceful balance of nuanced flavours, subtle aromas, and silky textures. Each one of these three sakes were extremely different with the honey one paired specifically with dessert and the white creamy sake offered and poured for us by the Chef at the end of the meal.
Course 3 was the Bento Box of Japanese Wagyu steak and 48 hour marinated Black Cod served with steamed rice, vegetables, miso soup and tsukemono.
I wasn’t overly keen on the vegetables but the black cod initially steals the flavour show until you place a piece of the wagyu in your mouth and it just melts.
A5 Wagyu, often referred to as the caviar of beef, is a true delicacy. This highly coveted beef is known for its exquisite marbling, unparalleled tenderness, and rich, buttery flavour. The intricate webbing of fat that runs through each succulent bite creates an unmatched melt-in-your-mouth experience. A5 Wagyu, graded on a strict scale, signifies the highest quality beef available, making it a true luxury item. The sheer indulgence of A5 Wagyu is incomparable, providing a culinary experience that lingers in your memory long after the last savoury bite.
It’s also worth mentioning that the miso soup is outstanding.
Last but not least, the fourth course – Dessert. Yuzu posset, yogurt foam, caramel chocolate, and pineapple carpaccio.
I loved the pineapple carpaccio and as I am a citrus/lemon fan, the posset was nice n tangy and really helped cleanse the palate. The honey sake was lovely too.
All in all this was an immense dining experience. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable, there is quite a bit of table side theatre which adds to the overall experience - it feels very personal, and the food is seriously beautiful. The ingredients are of high quality, thought and care has gone into the presentation and there is a whole lot of love for the skills and mastery.
The only thing I missed from my dining experience was soy sauce. You only receive a tiny amount with your Sushi Box which after dunking a few bites in, is gone. I’d love to have been offered more soy sauce or even choose from the tray.
This menu, (what we ate) would cost (using the current 58% off voucher) - £215.00 for the two of us, and you can add another £108.00 onto that once the offer runs out. Currently this offer is an absolute steal and I urge you to buy your voucher - its valid for the next year!
As a date night, this is outstanding. It’s interactive, entertaining and certainly will help keep the conversation going throughout the meal.
Highly recommended!
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT KIBAKO
They are not halal but can swop out the Wagyu for Australian Halal Wagyu for an additional supplement
There are no vegan, vegetarian or gluten free options
They have no disabled access. Although the entrance is level with the street, the main dining area is down 5 or so steps and the W/C are all downstairs
They are not dog friendly
Kibako, 3 Windmill Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1T 2HY www.kibakolondon.com
They are a five-minute walk from Goodge Street & Tottenham Court Road Underground Station.
My Spoon Award - Tartan Spoon 10/10
I was invited by Kibako to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.