Omakase Experience: The Art of Sushi by Kauri at the Grand Hyatt Seoul

The Grand Hyatt Seoul: A Prestigious Haven on the Slopes of Mount Namsan

Perched on the verdant slopes of Mount Namsan, in the heart of Seoul, the Grand Hyatt Seoul embodies exceptional service, luxury, and convenience. This five-star hotel, with its 616 rooms, including 53 suites, meets the expectations of business and leisure travelers with unparalleled elegance. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and offering breathtaking panoramas, it’s the ideal urban retreat for relaxation after a bustling day in the city. The property also stands out with an exceptional range of amenities, including a spa and 11 restaurants and bars, among which Kauri is a true culinary discovery for Japanese cuisine enthusiasts.

© Kauri

Kauri, A Tribute to Nature and Japanese Gastronomy

The "KAURI" is an iconic tree from New Zealand, transformed into a spectacular sushi bar counter that marks the restaurant's unique identity while creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This counter invites guests to sit comfortably and watch the sushi masters at work.

© Kauri

© Kauri

© Kauri

Kauri exclusively offers seafood of exceptional freshness and quality, ensuring an authentic sushi experience. The restaurant provides an exclusive dining experience through an Omakase menu, where guests let the chef's inspiration guide them. This seasonal and refined menu features the finest ingredients, carefully selected to awaken the senses and delight the palates of guests.

Our Omakase Tasting Menu, Like a Culinary Journey through Japan

We began the dinner with a typical Japanese appetizer: shiraae, a delicate blend of tofu and spinach, followed by two varieties of sashimi. The first, a tai (sea bream), known for its delicate texture and subtle flavor, and then a hamachi (amberjack), appreciated for its fattier texture and more pronounced umami taste.

Next, we were served steamed abalone with a sauce made from its innards. This rare and delicate ingredient, known for its firm texture and intense marine flavor, was prepared with remarkable skill and truly impressed us. A perfectly grilled fish followed, before a suimono (Japanese clear soup) was served, often included in omakase menus to cleanse the palate. This light dashi broth, delicately umami, was enhanced with seafood and fine vegetables like mushrooms, daikon radish, and young sprouts.

We then enjoyed a series of seven sushi, each offering a unique sensory experience. A grilled hotate (scallop), set on a nori leaf, marked the start of this gustatory journey. The slightly caramelized scallop provided a natural sweetness, intensified by its texture. This was followed by hamachi sushi, then ika (squid) sushi garnished with herbs like shiso, delivering a tender and subtly elastic texture. The grilled shrimp (ebi) sushi offered a soft and slightly sweet flavor, paired with vinegared rice. We continued with otoro, the fattiest and most tender part of tuna, where the umami manifested in a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Next, a temaki was served: this crisp nori cone held red tuna, vinegared rice, raw fish, and pickled radish, adding a crunchy and tangy contrast. We concluded this sushi parade with a nigiri of unagi, where the grilled eel, topped with a lightly caramelized sweet sauce, elevated the umami flavors.

For a sweet touch, a light and airy version of tamago-yaki, or castella tamago, was served. This sweet omelette had the texture of a sponge cake, melting in the mouth and resembling almost a dessert.

After a refreshing plate of cold soba, dessert arrived: a monaka, a traditional Japanese pastry consisting of two crispy wafers filled with creamy ice cream. The contrast between the wafer and filling, accompanied by tea, concluded this meal with lightness and delicacy.

Live Music and Signature Cocktails at JJ Mahoney's

We continued our delightful evening just steps from Kauri, still within the Grand Hyatt Seoul, at the legendary JJ Mahoney's. This iconic Seoul bar, renowned for its live music, offers a unique atmosphere where live bands and talented DJs take turns, creating an entrancing musical experience. Designed to immerse guests in the heart of the music scene, the venue pulses with an infectious energy, transforming each evening into an unforgettable moment.

For our cocktails, we chose bold creations: The Big Smoke for my husband, a refined blend of Islay whisky, Irish whiskey, orange bitters, crème de cacao, and citrus, with smoky and deep flavors. I opted for the City of Kings, an elegant cocktail combining pisco, raspberry shrub, white vermouth, Peruvian salt, pineapple, citrus, and a hint of almond. These sophisticated creations elevated our nighttime experience, adding a touch of finesse to this unforgettable evening.

My Opinion

Kauri offered me a superb culinary experience. The finesse of the dishes and the attention to detail reflect a true homage to Japanese cuisine. Each plate, from the shiraae to the meticulously crafted sushi, celebrates flavors and textures. The Omakase menu is an invitation to travel, where each bite reveals the chef’s expertise, highlighting products of exceptional freshness and quality. This dinner at Kauri, with its elegant setting and contemplative wooden counter, was a moment of pure delight, highly recommended.

Practical Information

A big thank you to Kauri and JJ Mahoney's for the invitation to discover their establishments. Of course, I remain free in my opinions in this article!