Shams El-Mutwalli Dubai

Japanese restaurant in Dubai, KOYO, is a multi-sensory dining experience that incorporates authentic Japanese food with live entertainment, featuring 12 shows.

KOYO Brand Manager Damien Caso told Arab News Japan that KOYO’S primary purpose is to offer guests a show in tandem with the food.

Guests can expect to watch a samurai choreographed dance, a performance featuring geishas dressed in cherry blossom dresses doing a synchronized dance, and an acrobatics show.

KOYO launched in August 2021 by leading entertainment and nightlife operator in the Middle East, Solutions Leisure Group, which is behind other restaurants including Asia Asia, Karma Kafé, Baby Q, among others.

Unlike the group’s other brands, KOYO’s food and ambiance is influenced by Japan, and Caso explained that the choice to develop a Japanese restaurant with entertainment stemmed from an obvious gap in Dubai’s market.

“You’ve never seen a Japanese restaurant doing shows, you’ve never seen a Japanese restaurant doing brunch, you’ve never seen a Japanese restaurant providing you a full experience from A to Z,” he asserted.

KOYO’s concept is a mix between STK steakhouse and Asia Asia, “you have the craziness, the show, the entertainment of STK, mixed with the food of Asia Asia- Japanese inspired. More Tokyo vibe, more underground,” Caso told Arab News Japan.

KOYO is a communal dining concept, offering guests the chance to order various Japanese dishes from their menu and share them.

“There is a full selection of Maki, starters, onigiris, nigiri, yakitori” they also have “a live cooking section, we call it robata where the chef is cooking live in front of all the guests by the restaurant.”

KOYO has a diverse range of around 150 dishes, with best sellers in each of the nine categories. Caso encourages guests to try the Hamachi Tiradito, the Crispy Duck Futo maki roll, the fish, vegetable, or meat tempura, and any one of their Katsu Sandos. Visitors can also get a taste of Japan by indulging in the restaurant’s seafood, and Wagyu imported straight from Japan.  The restaurant also offers various desserts incorporating Japanese ingredients like matcha.

Aside from the prominent Japanese flavours, KOYO’s décor represents Tokyo through various elements.

The restaurant has a striking red glow, low ceilings, Japanese artwork on the walls, Japanese signs and cherry blossoms to help transport guests to the heart of Tokyo.