Source: List Mag 

 A multi-faceted and immersive dining experience, MUSOU is a brand-new,  speakeasy teppanyaki-omakase experience in the Marriott Resort Palm  Jumeirah.

Beyond being a go-to destination in the Middle East for exquisite dining experiences including Michelin-starred meals, Dubai works hard to offer a selection of culinary encounters that transcend the ordinary.

From restaurants with breathtaking vistas and theatrical presentations, to locally inspired fine-dining eats, Dubai's restaurants have mastered the art of immersive dining, captivating all five senses and creating unforgettable memories.

And OKKU Dubai is an immersive dining experience from start to finish, blending contemporary Japanese cuisine with a touch of typical Dubai flair, that we have all come to expect and love.

Location & What to Expect

When it comes to dining institutions in Dubai, OKKU is a well-known name for contemporary Japanese eats. Originally launched in February 2009, OKKU has settled in a brand new location within the Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah in 2023, and has been a popular haunt for foodies ever since.

Found on the ground floor of the popular Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah hotel, OKKU has its own separate entrance which makes the restaurant accessible without having to enter the hotel. OKKU is the ideal choice for a celebratory feast, or simply an unforgettable evening out, and MUSOU by OKKU is an even more intimate experience, ideal for a special evening with your other half or a celebration. 

The journey begins before you even step inside the restaurant. A hallway lined with flashing sake barrels sets the vibes, hinting at the immersive experience that awaits beyond the heavy velvet curtain. As you enter, you're met with the restaurant's signature ambiance: dimly lit, sophisticated, and undeniably chic.

While the mesmerising jellyfish aquarium wall adds an ethereal touch to the contemporary restaurant, it is the 20-meter sushi bar and robata grill that steals the show as a focal point. Eight 3D-printed Samurai soldiers, standing 2.2 meters tall and manufactured in Dubai, are strategically placed throughout the venue, again lending to the immersiveness of the OKKU experience.

But, the true magic of MUSOU by OKKU awaits beyond the main restaurant. A friendly team member will guide you down a short, unassuming corridor, leading you to a hidden speakeasy-style dining room. And its here, within this intimate enclave that you'll embark on a unique and unforgettable fine-dining-teppanyaki-omakase experience at MUSOU by OKKU.

MUSOU by OKKU is a brand-new, intimate, teppanyaki-omakase style dining experience that no-one seems to know about just yet - take this as your sign to book a table before it becomes impossible!

The MUSOU by OKKU experience consists of ten courses, which are cooked and prepared right infront of your. Each course is meticulously crafted to be a feast for the senses, a symphony of flavours and textures designed to challenge and tantalise the palate, whilst the presentation and performative element is ideal for those of us who are chronically online. The flavours, construct and elements of each plate are explained by the team of friendly and experienced chefs, standing behind the teppan cooking grill. 

The MUSOU menu aims to showcase the best of authentic Japanese cuisine and flavours, the team regularly flies in fresh sushi-grade fish and indulgently marbled Wagyu beef directly from Japan.

With ten specially curated dishes, you'll begin your meal with edamame;  choose between truffled, salted or chili-garlic. This is followed by the  soup course, with both a traditional miso or an innovative chilled  lobster gazpacho on the menu. The third course allows for a fresh,  palate cleansing salad. A grilled plum ume salad is served with crispy  puffed rice, making for an interesting texture. However, the standout  option here is the crispy duck salad: cooked infront of you, a heaped  pile of crispy, flavourful duck is served on a boat leaf of gem lettuce -  although only about three bites, this dish will have you wanting more. 

The fourth course is a choice between king mushroom carpaccio served  drenched in miso and shisho truffle, and beetroot infused yellowtail  carpaccio. Although both dishes are gorgeous in presentation and  flavourful on the palate, if you're looking for the stand out dish, it  is the pink hamachi carpaccio. For the fifth course choose between Wagyu  beef tartare served on crispy rice, the Hokkaido scallop served with a  bump of caviar and on a dollop of truffle-infused celeriac, or the  beetroot tartare is a great vegetarian option, again served on a crispy  rice bite. 

Next up, hibachi grilled and lightly coated avocado kushiyaki is moreish and both interesting in taste and texture, and a great palate cleanser ahead of the seventh course - sushi. With a vegetarian option also available, the sushi plate is a four bite delight: from thick cut sashimi, maki rolls and tamago egg. Your server will recommend a way in which to enjoy the sushi best. 

The eighth course could be considered a traditional 'main' course; from king prawn, Chilean sea bass, high-grade Wagyu 9+ or baby chicken. There is plenty of choice here, and each equally as tasty as other.

And finally, its on to the desserts. A chewy, wholesome bar of mochi  flour is cooked to perfection on the teppan grill in front of you.  Crispy on the outside, soft and crispy on the inside, this is a mochi  like you've never had before. Served on top of a flamed and brûléed  soft-peaked meringue, with dollops of citrus-yuzu creme patissiere and  crunchy miniature meringues filled with the same, a crumble of roasted  hazelnut and a scoop of indulgent dulce de leche ice cream. 

This unique blend of omakase and teppanyaki is truly exciting, and I can only imagine how much more captivating it will become as the team further develops their expertise and the experience as a whole. 
3.9/5

MUSOU by OKKU
Price from Dhs599 per person (excluding beverages)
Open Thursday to Sunday, two-sittings at 6.45pm and 9.30pm
Note: This experience takes a minimum of two hours
Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah, The Palm, Dubai

Book your spot here
musoudubai.com

@marriottresortpalmjumeirah
@musoudubai