Spectacular cuisine at Nikkei Japanese/ Peruvian

Between 1899 and World War 2 thousands of Japanese men and women moved to Peru’s central and northern regions to work in sugar and rubber plantations. Today of course we think of Japan as one of the most prosperous countries of the world and that kind of story seems bizarre to us. Nevertheless, it happened, and with them the Japanese took their food culture, creating the marriage between Japanese and Peruvian cooking which still exists today, usually referred to as Nikkei.

This restaurant in downtown Cape Town is a fascinating amalgam of these two cuisines featuring things like oxtail croquettes with truffle Mayo side by side with tuna Gunkan Toro with nori and spring onion.

Here too, you will find crispy squid with lime dressing on the same plate as crispy citrus tofu with green garlic aioli.

The sushi is taken to heights you’ve never experienced before, served with crispy lobster and steak tartare of all things, absolutely delicious.

There’s also crispy soft shell crab sushi with cucumber and mayo, and how about lobster sashimi, now there’s a thought.

The sea bass ceviche served with truffle Tiger’s Milk was a thrill, as was yellowtail one served with coconut and lime—heaven.

. On the Peruvian side are things like fire cooked chicken thighs served with pickled shimeji, and seared sesame tuna served with guacamole, as well as braised sesame short rib with tea cured apricots and black truffle sauce.

The Peruvian potato salad with red onion and olive oil and chili dressing was to die for, as we say in Sea Point.

The cocktails are spectacular, service is smooth, the setting is tranquil and sophisticated –an eye opener!

NIKKEI JAPANESE PERUVIAN RESTAURANT 87 BREE ST CAPE TOWN PHONE 021 109 0081