Inua could very well be the closest thing to Copenhagen's Noma in this part of the world. The main reason? It is run by Thomas Frebel who has worked in the said prolific restaurant for ten years – in fact, he was the man behind research and development, which is to say he was usually the creator of the first draft of new dishes. Moreover, Inua is backed by Noma head chef and co-owner Rene Redzepi, as well as Japan’s Kadokawa Corporation.
Inua’s food philosophy is similar to the modern Nordic approach spearheaded by Noma, and you can look forward to a menu informed by the indigenous ingredients and flavours of Japan, but executed with techniques and influences from around the world. The food here will reflect Japan’s seasonality and diversity in landscapes, from the cooler climate of Hokkaido in the north to the subtropical conditions of Okinawa in the south.
To prepare for this restaurant, Frebel and his team has travelled throughout Japan to discover new ingredients, develop their knowledge on local culture, and build relationships with producers and suppliers. Inua will present a complete Japanese-Nordic dining experience, as the interior of the 60-seat restaurant will combine Danish designs with Japanese craftsmanship.
The dinner tasting menu is priced at ¥29,000. Wine pairing is available from ¥16,000 while non-alcoholic pairing is priced at ¥10,000 (all prices exclude 8 percent consumption tax and 10 percent service charge).