“What is India’s response to a Zuma in Dubai?”, is the premise that drives Sahil Sambhi’s vision for the programming and storytelling of this Japanese bar on prime-value Golf Course Road, Gurugram. Think club-meets-izakaya, he brings Dubai’s after-dark Japanese dining scene to India, complete with a DJ booth built into a communal dining table.
Sambhi (of Bawri fame) assembles a stellar team to implement his vision – Chef Roberto Blondi leading the pass, Jeet Rana & Chirag Pal leading the bar, Freddy Birdy developing branding and restaurant design.
With an impressive 15 feet long robata grill, say hello to the central hero of the story. Serving 160+ covers is no mean feat and Chef Blondi (ex Zuma, Bastian, Eleven Madison Park) has a job and then some.
Overall, the quality of produce is worth observing. The menu boasts premium ingredients, some flown in weekly from Japan. The result? A space that’s as sharp as its sashimi. The Chef has a distinct liking for the holy-trinity of seafood, mushroom, and tōgarashi and we aren’t complaining.
It’s hip, moody and titillating; right for that third date. Hues of red, metal chain mail, custom designed video projections, thrilling view of the live grill, water installation behind the bar – it’s got character alright.
As the clock strikes 11, the space undergoes an unapologetic transformation—the restaurant turns into a high-energy bar, perfect for catching a drink by the counter or soaking in the vibe from the alfresco space overlooking Golf Course Road.
If you’d like to lean in and chat, reserve a spot in the robata section Monday-Thursday. Else, a DJ-led Friday and Saturday at the bar or alfresco area will check your box.
The drinks are where things get really fun. The menu is inventive – a rags-to-riches story about Kaito Sakamoto (anime character) where each drink defines a chapter of his life. The physical menu in itself is engaging—folded, layered, and designed with origami-inspired creativity, making each page a delightful discovery (just like reading a manga).
Whether you’re seated at the bar or by the live grills or out on the alfresco space overlooking Golf Course Road with a tipple in hand, this spot knows how to keep the energy going. It’s definitely Gurugram’s newest must-visit spot.
Address: Second Floor, Tower D, Vipul Tech Square, Golf Course Road, Sector 43, Gurugram,
Call: +91 9948000039
Follow: @japonico.ggn