Restaurant Find: TokyoLima Hong Kong
Entering the dimly lit space bouncing with energy from its restaurant and bar area, TokyoLima Hong Kong ‘s atmosphere is inviting and unpretentious, inspired by the informal nature of a true Japanese izakaya. As one of Hong Kong’s newest dining destinations, TokyoLima follows suit from its sibling restaurants Optimist and Pirata, part of the Pirata Group. Shared plates, an impressive cocktail and Japanese sake list and charming staff, all add to the popularity of Hong Kong’s latest, and currently only, Peruvian-Japanese (Nikkei) cuisine restaurant.
The orange-hued organic interior is dominant in brass and wood features referencing traditional Peruvian fixtures and furniture with dark leather detailing. TokyoLima’s name comes from Head Chef Arturo Melendez”˜s background working in Japanese restaurants in Peru, where due to a large diaspora of Japanese migrants in Peru in the late 19th century a whole new cuisine, Nikkei, was borne bridging the two cultures and their accompanying dishes.
From small plates, to larger seafood and meat dishes, the emphasis is on fresh, delicate Japanese flavours against the colourful, spicy and flavourful dishes of Peru. The La Causa, chef Arturo’s version of a traditional terrine, was perfectly balanced with beetroot causa, prawn tartar, rococo mayo, prawn tempura and charred avocado as a starter. Whereas the Ceviche Collection (ceviche japones) with Nikkei marinated seafood, seared scallops, prawns, sea bass, shoyu citrus dressing, cucumber, peppers and crispy squid) provided a flavourful hit. The Tuna & Watermelon was a surprising blend of raw tuna, fresh watermelon, soy citrus sauce, mint and sweet potato chips.
Inside TokyoLima the atmosphere is vibrant, where the open and raised kitchen overlooks diners and allows the aroma from each dish to subtlety encapsulate the space. Each dish is presented beautifully in various ceramic bowls and plates complimenting the presentation of the dishes themselves, and if you’ve selected some sake to drink, expect a variety of beautiful Japanese ceramic cups to choose from.
(Yet the sake or cocktail list is not to go unnoticed, with an impressive list of Junmai Daiginjo and Junmai Ginjo sake’s to try. The stand-out cocktail is the masculine yet sweet Smoking Gun (Lapsong tea infused Bulldog gin, Campari, chocolate bitters, Yzaguirre red vermouth) served in an old wooden box, that once opened, unleashes a fog of smoke just as a ”˜smoking gun’ itself.
Perfect for dinner or simply a cocktail by the bar, TokyoLima is one of Hong Kong’s newest contemporary dining destinations.
+852 2811 1152
TokyoLima Hong Kong
G/F, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace
Central, Hong Kong
This article comes in cross-collaboration with our friends at Champ Travel.
 Joanna is the co-editor and founder of Ala CHAMP Magazine, a London and Tokyo-based biannual printed publication focused on curiosity and investigations into creativity and cultural insight. She is Tokyo-based, and co-founder of agency Champ Creative where she is Art Director and Producer, and is a contributing writer for various publications in travel, art, architecture and design. |
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