5 Dishes You Must Try at Nazcaa Dubai

Every cuisine starts with a story. Somewhere along the lines, from the coasts of Peru to the land of Japan, an epicurean revolution came into existence which finally made its way into the rooftop of Dubai's skyline. This story is what Nazcaa's Beyond Nikkei tells us; this story is why our menu is not only a list of dishes but a narrative itself.

The story of Nikkei Cuisine is the result of Japanese immigrants arriving in Peru decades ago. Their methods of cooking, the discipline and respect towards ingredients were combined with the Peruvian flavors which include chillies, citrus and that unbreakable spirit.

What resulted is completely new, delicate, brave and imaginative. In Nazcaa, we continued this legacy and combined precision with imagination while watching the Burj Khalifa shining at the distance.

In case you are coming to see us for the first or the fifth time, below are five dishes to try.

Ebi Tempura Roll

There is a reason why this sushi roll is a hit among sushi lovers.

This roll consists of crispy shrimp tempura mixed with soft avocado and garnished with a hint of Japanese chili. All three components complement each other very well; it is the perfect combination.

The tempura provides crunchiness, while the avocado makes the roll soft. The spicy taste builds up slowly making you want more after the first bite. It is a fun roll to try and, at the same time, it feels like home.

Start your sushi experience with this dish. This sushi roll is easy to order since it will be shared among everyone at the table. It is a good option to start the dinner especially when your dining partner is not familiar with Nikkei food yet.

Royal Guard Ceviche

It is through the ceviche that the Nikkei food demonstrates its Peruvian origins, and ours takes the form of the Royal Guard. Hamachi cured in a tangy leche de tigre with a charred choclo topping, served with an aji amarillo emulsion.

What makes the Royal Guard stand out is the harmonious combination of flavors in this dish. The tangy leche de tigre brings a good kick while the aji amarillo gives an extra touch of gentle heat.

The charred choclo adds some depth to the dish and helps tie the flavors together. It is the dish that will immediately make you realize where you are, right there between Lima and Tokyo, with the Dubai skyline in the background.

Wagyu Tataki

There are dishes that don’t require any introduction. Slices of seared Wagyu meat that have been seasoned with a rich and aromatic gomae sauce which literally melts away in your mouth. The sear is done in a very precise manner, allowing a certain amount of caramelization around the outer layer, but still leaving the center quite juicy and soft.

The sauce made of toasted sesame gives an extra zest to the dish without making the beef taste less prominent. It is rich and refined in its simplicity.

Japanese cuisine is not afraid of showing itself at its best, which is why it should be savored bit by bit along with a drink from our bar.

Black Cod Teriyaki

Slowly cooked over the robata fire to a crisp exterior and tender, flaky interior, our black cod demonstrates that true luxury can result from simplicity well-executed. As is, the fish has a buttery taste, and the fire lends the fish a light smokiness not achievable through conventional cooking methods such as baking or steaming.

The teriyaki sauce adds sweetness, but balances the grilled fish's natural flavor and the smoky flavor of the cooking method. It is a dish that needs time both during the preparation process due to the requirements of the robata grill and when consuming, because each bite needs to be savored.

Chocolate Taco

Desserts need not abide by the usual conventions, and our dessert is certainly no exception. Our dessert is a chocolate-coated taco-shaped shell which is filled with a light and airy fraiche. This is a dessert that toys with expectations from the get-go, having a shape familiar to everyone but being utterly out of the ordinary when it comes to flavor.

Not only does it photograph well, but it tastes good as well. It rounds up the meal in perfect Nazcaa style and is full of humor and fun while retaining all the finesse of the meal.

Our dessert is one which can be ordered twice in one sitting – once for sharing and once because everyone just can’t stop eating it!

The Craft Behind Every Plate

What ties these five dishes together is the same discipline you'll find across our entire menu. All ceviches are fresh, hand-cut and cured individually, all robata dishes cooked with the use of real fire, and each roll is made with care and love by skilled and devoted chef. There is no dish on the table, which has been put without any purpose.

Care also reflects in the right sequence of dishes. Citrus cold appetizers are able to refresh your taste buds, robata grilled main dishes give warmth to the table, and dessert, served at the end of the meal, brings lightness and joy. Menu of the restaurant consists of several courses, which are well combined between each other; thus, eating process can gradually become more exciting and interesting for a client.

It must be noted, that all meals described above are offered to the customers under the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Thus, clients have a possibility to eat their meal in the special atmosphere, admiring beautiful view on the city. In addition, the changing colors of the skyscraper become an additional decoration of the dining room.

If you're new to Nikkei cuisine, these five dishes are a solid place to start. If you already know your ceviche from your tiradito, consider this your reminder to come back and explore what else the menu has to offer, from the Omakase selection to the char-grilled anticuchos. Either way, the experience at Nazcaa is built to be shared, savoured, and remembered long after the last bite.

Some restaurants serve food. Nazcaa serves a story, best enjoyed with the city glittering just beyond the terrace.