A new Japanese bar in Gurugram offers cocktails and cuisine with a side of storytelling

Most office spaces on Gurugram’s Golf Course Road appear dull and dreary after dark. But, if you look closer, you may stumble upon a treasure chest on its premises. Japonico, housed in Vipul Tech Square, is just that. 

Yellow-toned signage catches your attention on the ground level. Until then, you have no clue what lies in the Japanese bar-cum-restaurant. A wooden elevator opens up to reveal the 160-cover space. The brain behind Japonico, Sahil Sambhi (of restaurants Bawri and VietNom fame) joined hands with restaurant designer Freddy Birdy to create the contemporary Japanese bar. “Japonico was conceived to be a hip and modern Japanese concept like Nobu, Zuma and Roka, where the look and feel is as important as the cuisine,” says Sahil. 

Japonico has three sections, each distinct. While the robata area with long tables is suited for group dining, the cocktail space has a stainless steel bar and a long DJ table where guests can dine. There’s also immersive electronic art in the bar. The outdoor deck, adjoining the bar area, offers inspiring views of Gurugram’s skyline and is ideal for pleasant evenings. With retractable sliding doors, the deck and the bar area can merge into a single space. 

Hic, hic, hurray! 

The beverage programme, curated by mixologists Jeet Rana and Chirag Pal, focusses on anime storytelling. The cocktail menu, fashioned like a book, takes you through the journey of a mythical character, Kaito Sakamoto. From his beginnings as a farmer to moving to cities, and reaching the pinnacle of his ambition — every drink reflects a chapter in his story.

I start with the Humble Beginnings — a blend of in-house fermented fruit wine with melon and pear, sparkling sake, and vodka that pays homage to Kaito’s modest-yet-vibrant roots. Its sweet-sour taste is easy on the palate. 

The next drink, The Legacy is an elevated and fruity rendition of martini. It has a mix of gin and vodka, fat-washed with truffle and infused with wasabi and passion fruit. It comes with various accompaniments — Tobiko caviar, pickled radish, and olive, adding texture and flavour to each sip.

A good coffee cocktail is always welcome. Japonico offers something beyond the conventional espresso martini in The Struggle’s Shadow. With Johnnie Walker Black Label, single-origin coffee, and coconut and sesame cream as its primary ingredients, the balance of hot and cold flavours makes it a comforting companion. 

If you are a teetotaller, go for their selection of mocktails with unique combinations like Strawberry and Cheese, Pomegranate and Rose, Spiced Cola and Coffee, Yuzu and Chilli Honey. Each of these are pre-batched and bottled, and have a shelf life of seven days.  

On the platter

In line with his vision of being international, Sahil has roped in Chef Roberto Blondi, previously associated with prestigious kitchens like Zuma London, Roka Riyadh and the three-Michelin-star Eleven Madison Park New York. 

Japonico boasts the city’s longest — 15-feet-long — robata grill, which reflects in its menu filled with grilled meats, seafood and seasonal vegetables. I start my meal with a trio of salads — the Japonico shiitake mushroom, truffle oil salad; Iceberg wafu salad and Atlantic crab salad. Each of these have a distinct Japanese dressing: the goma using sesame paste, wafu dressing with caramelised onions, soy sauce and mirin and shiro miso with blended miso, yuzu kosho and fresh yuzu juice.

“While it’s challenging, we have tied up with a vendor here who flies in produce daily from some of the largest fish and grocery markets in Tokyo,” says Sahil. The next dish is the Japanese Bluefin Tuna Tataki with wood-fired seared akami with avocado, apple mustard sauce, diakon, spring onions and garlic chips. It is a light and juicy bite that pairs well with drinks. 

The Signature Ceviche comes next. With salmon, amachi and bluefin tuna as the stars, the chef replaced the signature Tigre de leche dressing in Peruvian-Nikkei cuisine with yoghurt, adding more creaminess. Some other dishes worth trying are the melt-in-the-mouth Chilean Sea Bass Yakitori marinated with saikyo miso and the Yuzu Miso Marinated Canadian Black Cod.  

The Japonico dessert platter is reminiscent of a bouquet with multiple sweet treats. There is chocolate fondant, Japanese cheesecake with grilled pineapple and ice-cream, classic tiramisu, selection of fruits and homemade ice-cream. 

A meal for two (with alcohol) at Japonico costs ₹5,000 plus taxes, located on the second floor, Tower D, Vipul Tech Square, Golf Course Road, near Sector 42-43, Sector 43, Gurugram, Haryana. For reservations, call 9948000039