Japanese food is on the top list of my favorite comfort food, they always succeed in creating extraordinary taste from something so simple and humble. And KITA 喜多 Restaurant and Bar is one of the reasons why.
Occupying the top level of Park Hyatt Jakarta hotel in the Menteng area, you can enjoy an elevated modern Japanese dining experience amid spectacular views of the Jakarta skyline, especially at sunset. Located on the 37th floor, the interior is dominated by wood elements, vibrant colors, and eye-catching Japanese artwork, with an open kitchen at the center of the dining room.
The restaurant is divided into several rooms that have its own purpose. For example, in the sushi and sashimi room, guests can pick between two views, at the sushi bar, where you can see the chefs making your order, or beside the window, where the Monas monument stands proudly.
Other rooms also have their own purpose; the Teppanyaki & Robatayaki room – just like its name – only serves the Teppanyaki and Robatayaki menu. With two separate Teppanyaki stations, guests are seated in front of the station, where they can see the Teppanyaki master in action. Aside from all the rooms, KITA 喜多 also has nine more private rooms, including a tatami room.
Helmed by Japanese Executive Sous Chef Takeumi Hiraoka, KITA 喜多 offers the authentic flavors of modern Japanese cuisine ranging from Teppanyaki and Shabu-Shabu to Tempura, Robatayaki, Sushi, and Sashimi. All are prepared from the finest and freshest ingredients in a lively open kitchen.
Lunchtime arrives, and guests slowly pour in while the kitchen is bussing with rhythmic moves. Aside from the ambiance and the interior, something else impressed me: every food they serve looks the same as the photos you see on social media. The presentation is immaculate, humble yet dashing at the same time.
We start our lunch with Tuna Tataki (served with marinated tomatoes and pickled onions), along with classic Prawn Tempura. The Tuna Tataki serves as the perfect appetizer, with a thick cut of charred tuna and a tangy yet refreshing broth. The combination of smoky, tangy, and savory at the same time will awaken your appetite. While the Prawn Tempura serves as a delightfully light snack, sweet prawn coated with a light batter and dipped it with the homemade dashi, it will elevate the taste even further.
For the main course, we decided to try something different. Sauteed beef soba is served with onion, carrot, generously sliced beef, a drizzle of white sauce, and a generous katsuobushi. With just one bite, my eyes lit up, and the combination of savory, sweet, and refreshing sourness from the pickled ginger danced in my mouth, offering a combination that would make you not want to put your chopsticks down. I could easily list this as one of my top favorite noodles.
KITA 喜多 always puts excellent care into the quality of ingredients, and you can easily see this when chef Takeumi prepares his food. With years of experience, the smooth hand movements of his knives glide gracefully, cutting the thick cut of fish. If you love Sashimi, pick the Sashimi Omakase with several selections of fresh Sashimi. If you are seated in the Sashimi and Sushi room, watch how chef Takeumi prepares your order. You can easily see his skill shine brightly here. With every cut served to perfection, soft, and just melted in your mouth.
Another favorite selection is the KITA Sushi Roll, where every bite is a luxury; this might be your latest comfort food obsession. The sushi roll combines Eel, crab meat, salmon, salmon roe, tamago, and yamagoba (Japanese pickles made from burdock root). Packed with varieties of ingredients with flavorful combinations, the KITA Sushi Roll serves as a perfectly well-made dish.
For dessert, we had Yuzu cream choux mochi, a combination of texture explosion with tangy and sweet yuzu. Meanwhile, the Matcha Pudding with caramel sauce is one of the most recommended. The unassuming dessert might not look extravagant, but the flavor it serves is anything but ordinary. Mild matcha flavors combine with light caramel sauce, the matcha wasn’t too bitter, and the caramel wasn’t too sweet either; it blends well with the kuromitsu caramel sauce.
There is another term to call Japanese cuisine. Washoku 和食 (和食 – 和 meaning ‘Japan’ or ‘harmony,’ 食 meaning ‘food’ or ‘to eat’) can be translated as “Harmony of Food.” The term refers to harmonious blends of ingredients for a nutritious and beautifully presented meal. In short, this term refers to the essence of Japanese cooking, which emphasizes simplicity, a balance of textures, colors, and flavors, seasonal freshness, and beauty of presentation.
Five principles are essential to Washoku, including five colors, five flavors, five cooking methods, and five reflections. After spending the afternoon with all the delightful meals, cozy ambiance, and enthralling presentations, I feel like this is what harmony is.
KITA 喜多 Restaurant and Bar
Park Hyatt Jakarta
Jl. Kebon Sirih No.17-19, Kb. Sirih, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10340
by Hilton Jakarta – Diponegoro">
