Review

Located on the top floor of the Marriott Marquis, this spacious 100-seat restaurant is a member of the Akira Back chain of Korean-Japanese modern fusion restaurants bearing the name of the famed Korean-born American chef. The décor is functional, and the food is mainly Japanese with strong elements of Korean, mostly in the flavoursome sauces and smoky aromas that announce each dish on arrival at the table.

Start with either of the ultra-thin crispy pizzas—one tuna and one mushroom with copious truffle oil to flavour. Add in a selection
of the signature rolls and then move on to the 48-hour wagyu short ribs and the spicy king crab legs covered with a dynamite sauce.
Vegetable sides include honey-glazed brussel sprouts and mushrooms in a sweet vinaigrette. The cooking is never fancy and it’s as if you’re swept away to a cold Seoul evening enjoying the company of friends as much as the food. The five desserts are all eye-catchers, like the honey glazed panna cotta with coconut rice pudding and mango sorbet.

A decent wine list of 50 or so reds and whites, a sake and shochu selection, and one signature cocktail provide ample choice. If you need help, the wait staff are on the ball and ready to assist.