Japonico In Gurugram Brings Storytelling To Life With Elevated Cocktails And Contemporary Japanese Cuisine

The modern bar and restaurant is a sexy, high-on-energy dining space that offers an immersive night-out experience.

Published On Jan 29, 2025 | Updated On Jan 29, 2025

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A baby panda dances on a planter to pulsating music. No, it’s not a line we have borrowed from a Murakami novel. This is just one of the many, many fascinating aspects of the newly-opened Japonico at Gurugram’s Golf Course Road.

From an outside deck area as well from the large plate glass windows, the twinkling lights of an approaching Metro train catch your eye before it whizzes past in a blur against the urban skyline. Digital projections light up huge planters, the DJ blasts his music from the console unit incorporated within a community table, an awe-inspiring waterfall installation behind the bar with projection mapping lights up the space – there’s almost something fantastical about being inside this resto-bar housed on the second floor.

The brainchild of Sahil Sambhi, Japonico serves Japanese and Asian-inspired flavours with a menu designed by Chef Roberto Blondie who brings in his expertise, having worked at places such as Roka London and Eleven Madison Park New York. The handcrafted cocktails by mixologist Jeet Rana are a blend of Japanese ingredients and global influences while the interiors designed by Freddy Birdy – who incidentally has also named the place - are eye-catching and extremely stylish. As a friend remarks, “I’ve not seen anything in Gurugram like this!”

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Sambhi recalls visiting Zuma, the popular modern Japanese restaurant in Dubai which has a dining section on one level and a high-energy party space on another, which made him dream up a space which could have both. “The intention was to do a restaurant bar which is of the calibre of a Zuma, Roka or Nobu,” he says. Post 10.30-11 at night, the decibel level of music increases significantly, transforming the space into a high-energy dance zone. It is a place to drink, dine and dance – not particularly in that order.

This being the ninth bar and restaurant he has designed, apart from places such as The Wine Rack, Whisky Samba and The Kimono Club among others, Birdy’s vision for Japonico was to keep the mood sexy and spirited with a great sense of party and fun. Ask him what he considers the highlight and he says, “The overall sexiness of the place. And the way it makes you feel: happy, excited, relaxed, yet invigorated.” There’s an expansive Robata counter, offering a front-row view of culinary artistry, while the stainless-steel façade bar makes for an intimate setting for first dates. “The Robata area is to provide an intimate dining experience where guests talk directly to the Robata chef and food is cooked on open fires right before them, adding to its allure. The bar is long, sexy and in stainless steel, awash with colour and with a back wall of graphics that dance to the music. It is a place to pose to see and be seen,” adds Birdy.

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Atlantic Crab & Peruvian Aji Chilli Taco

A glance at the food menu tells us that it is, in fact, quite simple, yet very contemporary. “I have always looked out of the box in terms of food offerings worldwide. The idea and concept are to offer something completely new in terms of food taste profiles but maintaining Japanese techniques and quality of the products,” says Chef Roberto. We skip the Soup and Salad section and order directly from the Tempura & Tacos, calling for the Norwegian Salmon & Kimchi Taco and the Atlantic Crab & Peruvian Aji Chilli Taco. The delicious bite-sized tacos are crunchy, especially the latter with its delicate and creamy crab meat providing a great contrast to the Aji Chilli.

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Hamachi Carpaccio

The Hamachi Carpaccio is truly up there with some of the best and our table ends up ordering three portions! Chef Roberto considers it one of the star dishes on the menu as well. “We make it using Yellow Fin Hamachi combined with garlic and truffle ponzu. It is a very simple and satisfying dish, if done in the right way with the right products,” he says. The restaurant also does some great Japanese Hako Zushi Rolls, a traditional take on the regular nigiri sushi, which does not use nori sheets. We order the Sake – Norwegian Salmon, Avocado, Orange Tobiko and Kimchi Mayo Hako Zushi Roll – and the server suggests we pop it into our mouths using our hands – the way it is eaten traditionally. It is melt-in-the-mouth good.

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Black cod

Some of the other noteworthy dishes on the menu include the Gindara from the Robata section – a slightly-sweet and flaky Canadian black cod marinated with yuzu miso, Corn Ribs with a smoked paprika butter glaze, Dimsum Platter offering four different varieties of dimsums and the smoky and flavourful Belgian Pork Belly Yakitori.

The cocktail programme, unlike the food menu which is simple and minus the drama, is where all the storytelling happens. Designed like a storybook, the cocktail menu recounts the tale of a fictional anime character named Kaito and his rise from a humble farmer to a legend. 3D-designed animations spring up as we flip through the pages of the menu which has 14 cocktails inspired by the seven stages of Kaito’s life journey. Rana, who has designed the cocktails, suggests we try The Bond, a refreshing blend of Roku Japanese Craft Gin, Chrysanthemum, Sichuan pepper syrup and apple juice. The Buzz Button garnish numbs our mouth for a few tingling seconds before a sip of the drink explodes into a rainbow of floral sensations.

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The Bond

We end the night with The Legacy, or as Rana calls it, the three-sip-Martini. The vodka and gin Martini is unlike anything we have ever tasted. The accompaniments include tobiko caviar, pickled radish and olive – each enhancing different flavours. The tobiko caviar elevates its wasabi and truffle notes while the pickled radish makes the passion fruit notes stand out. Finish with the olive and dunk the last of the Martini for its classic taste.

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The Legacy

We’d suggest ending the night with the very ‘Gram worthy Japonico Dessert Platter, a medley of sweet treats including ice creams, sorbets, Japanese cheesecake, chocolate fondant and exotic fruits before you get back on your feet to dance the night (and the calories) away!

Address: Japonico, Second Floor, Tower D, Vipul Tech Square, Golf Course Road, Sector 43, Gurugram
Meal for two (approx): Rs 5,000 plus taxes (with alcohol) 


Photo: Featured Brand