Another premium restaurant has opened in Budapest, not far from Heroes’ Square: Shibuya, an exceptional Pan-Asian restaurant where steak and sushi are also featured. 

Tokyo’s Shibuya is a neighbourhood of its own: home to the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, the statue of the faithful Hachikō dog, filled with giant neon signs and malls, kawaii (cute) clothing stores, friendly izakaya (Japanese food bars). The whole neighbourhood is a pop-culture benchmark, and it is this colourful mix that has become Nguyen Thi Bich Huong’s (Heni) starting point for Shibuya. Her first restaurant, Little Geisha Can Cook, takes a more casual but homely approach, but Shibuya is different: a little over the top in its elements but always high quality, not far from humour but serious in its flavours.

From comic books to professional catering, the “little geisha”

Heni has been a fan of Japanese culture and manga since she was a little girl. They were a way out of her humble childhood. She came to Hungary as a schoolgirl, where she also completed her higher education, but she was much more attracted to catering and gastronomy than to economics. She gained experience and worked in it, but she didn’t want to start her own business until she had the necessary professionalism. She tried her luck in Germany, and with the knowledge she acquired, she opened Little Geisha Can Cook, which has since become a Budapest staple. It’s a homely, friendly place with Asian fusion cuisine, but Heni has long been thinking of upping the ante and giving the ‘little geisha’ a bigger ‘scene’. And so we arrive at Shibuya, a restaurant on the City Square, every inch of which has been redone.

Traditional, yet contemporary

Based on Socially branding’s strategy, Eszter Csontos developed the identity of the space, while Ákos Sógor and Márkó Czigány Sógor were commissioned by the agency to design the space, on the site of the former Platán restaurant on Városligeti fasor. They also drew a lot from Pan-Asian architectural traditions and motives. For example, there is the Shou Sugi Ban Japanese woodblock technique, the oxide-red colour typical of the Urushi lacquer technique, but also the world of manga and anime, the vibrancy of the eponymous Tokyo district, reflected in the walls and the variety of lighting.

@alparkato Yesterday I had the chance to taste the special dishes of Shibuya Budapest, and today it opened its doors to the public! I wish you good luck! Premium quality, good atmosphere and kind hospitality will pay off! #dailynewshungary #budapest #shibuya #shibuyabudapest #sushilovers #sushi #japanese #japanesefood ♬ Japanese Trap Beat – Akirih

The restaurant is airy and pleasant, and it is in a lucky location: the plane tree overhanging the building brings plenty of customers, in Eastern tradition.

Modern fusions and ancient traditions

At Shibuya, Japan meets South Asia, and, not least because of the region’s cultural influences, elements of French cuisine have been incorporated into the concept. Sushi, for example, is given an exciting French or Korean twist in the sauces and is presented with a unique interpretation. You can stick to familiar favourites, but there’s plenty of scope for experimentation and bold choices. For example, steak and seafood (giant crabs and St. James’ mussels are on the menu) with a Shibuya approach. There is no compromise on ingredients, Heni has aimed for the premium direction. Israel was the first stop for the kitchen team of exclusively Asian professionals, which is how they came to the West and how they came to Budapest. They first lit the flame on 19 November, which is a “nice day” to start, according to the stars and the horoscope. Heni believes in the power of tradition and found it essential to have a lucky start.

Shibuya day and evening

Compared to Little Geisha, the capacity of the new restaurant has been roughly quintupled: a grandiose scale that also hints at the objectives. The vibe in the evening brings both slowing down and revving up, just as it does in Shibuya’s izakaya. Plus they’ve thought of lunchtime, with a bento box offer. It’s a simpler, functional, yet high-quality solution, but Shibuya is at its best in the evening, when everything Heni has envisioned unfolds most.

The owner of the Daily News Hungary, Alpár Kató, was invited the day before the opening and received exceptional hospitality:

It’s a different direction from typical Asian restaurants, a more exclusive brand. It creates an atmosphere that is worth joining from time to time. We are happy to tell you about Shibuya and recommend it to our friends who enjoy fine dining with a sophisticated concept.

Address: Városligeti fasor 44-46, Budapest, 1068

Get more information HERE.

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