OKKU is back. We’re glad.

The beloved Japanese restaurant and lounge is back and better than ever

Experience OKKU like never before. Tucked away in an exclusive entrance in Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, the award-winning Japanese restaurant, bar, and lounge, has made its return to Dubai. Diners can expect the OKKU experience they know and love and so much more.

The fully immersive experience begins upon entering as guests walk down a corridor lined with softly lit Taiko drums, past 3D printed samurai armour, and into the restaurant itself which is gently lit and filled with OKKU’s unique scent of scent with notes of mandarin, bergamot, and orange blossom.

Two walls on either side of the restaurant give off a blue glow and what looks like jellyfish swimming in a tank, but is actually AI doing its bit for sustainability.

Further in, guests will find the impressive 20-meter sushi bar and robata grill where a lot of the culinary magic happens producing sashimi as soft as butter to tuna on crispy rice to a duck salad that I have yet to stop thinking about.

Occasionally, you get a hint of woody smoke from the kitchen while signature dishes like wagyu beef (from the source, naturally) and foie-gras kushiyaki are prepared and, if you’ve ever been lucky to visit an izakaya in Japan, that smell alone will take you straight back. For those of you who fancy a truly special treat, you have the option of ordering a 1.7kg Japanese bone-in wagyu rib of beef.  If you want to take it up a notch, Kobe beef is available upon special request.

Speaking of izakayas (居酒屋) which is made up of three kanji with the meaning “stay-drink-place,” we’re going to have to talk about the cocktail menu. The wine cellar is rather impressive with a collection of over 300 hundred labels of different varieties from different regions, to satisfy any preference.

But let’s get into the cocktails because they really are special. They cater to just about every flavour profile and preference, without leaving you feeling like you’ve just been kicked in the face. These delicate, unassuming beverages are gentle as the geisha that is one of their namesakes, and invite you in for a captivating dance of flavour that is subtle at the time but will stay with you long after the night is over.

Finally, there’s the dessert menu. I saw mochi on the menu and I was sold. Until you’ve actually beaten rice into submission with an usu and kine (a massive mortar and pestle) outside during freezing cold Japanese winter, you don’t fully appreciate what goes into making mochi, so every time I have the chance to eat it, I do. OKKU’s does not disappoint.

The atmosphere lends itself to a lovely night out; the live DJ sets the tone for a great atmosphere, starting with awesome music at a reasonable pitch so conversations can be had; at no point did I have to scream at the person next to me. The music only really picked up around 11pm, and you can’t complain about that.

OKKU is worth a visit, whether you’re looking to pull out the stops on date night, have a low-key catch-up with friends, or even take yourself out in a self-care session for one. Whatever your reason for visiting, do visit. You’ll be glad you did.