Surry Hills is set to welcome Nikkei this November, the new bar and restaurant from the Toyko Bird team.
It’s a combination most Sydneysiders have never experienced before. But at this new Surry Hill’s restaurant and bar, the flavours of Peru and Japan are set to collide to deliver a unique drinking and dining experience.
Set to open later this month, Nikkei Bar & Restaurant is the latest project from the team behind the successful Surry Hills’ small bar Tokyo Bird. The idea behind the venue was sparked when the team was offered the opportunity to take over a prime location on Commonwealth Street, formerly the home of Latin American pioneers Bodega for over 13 years. With their first venue Toyko Bird just around the corner, the new space felt like a natural fit.
The powerhouse team behind the venue is led by owner Jason Ang, alongside Venue Manager Marco Oshiro Giron (previously Osaka Trading Co. and Tokyo Bird), Group Sommelier Phil McElroy (from The Source Restaurant at Tasmania’s MONA), Reuvin Lim leading the floor (Tayim, Tequila Mockingbird) and Xander Ramirez (Tayim, Bently Bar & Restaurant) behind the bar.
Nikkei fuses Tokyo Bird’s Japanese influence with the legacy of Bodega, crafting a unique culinary experience inspired by both venues. The menu here delivers a modern, share-style offering of Japanese-Peruvian cuisine. The kitchen headed up by Lucas Cerullo David (previously Head Chef at Osaka Trading Co.) and joined by Justin Kim (bringing over 7 years experience in seafood-focused Japanese dining) will serve up izakaya-style bites alongside reimagined versions of Peru’s iconic national dishes. Expect dishes of ceviche and tiradito alongside larger dishes showcasing Peru’s native vegetables like corn, potato, and tomato, along with seafood and meat dishes served tapa-style.
The 55-seat space is home to a bar and dining room with an opening kitchen, counter seating and a 12-seat communal table. Aside from stellar eats, you’ll also find a 40+ wine list featuring Australian, South American, Spanish and French wines, each with a coastal influence. Nikkei’s refined eight-drink cocktail list captures the best of Peru’s unique flavours including pisco, anisado, chicha morada (an Adean purple corn drink), oregano tea and quinoa milk.
Nikkei Bar & Restaurant will be open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner (5pm to 10pm) and Friday for lunch from 12pm to 3pm, slated to open in late November. We’ll keep you posted once we hear more.
Nikkei Bar & Restaurant
216-224 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills 2010