A Japanese-Peruvian Fusion Restaurant with Bold Nikkei Flavours, Sushi Bar Theatre, and Waterway Views
SushiYaki is one of Dubai’s most ambitious and distinctive Japanese restaurant openings of recent years, a contemporary dining concept launched in December 2023 by the Food Fund restaurant group, whose portfolio of homegrown Dubai dining concepts also includes the beloved Taverna Greek Kitchen and Folly, both also at Souk Madinat Jumeirah. Occupying a prime waterfront position at Souk Madinat Jumeirah with views across the property’s iconic waterway system and the Burj Al Arab visible in the background, SushiYaki is built around two of Japan’s most celebrated culinary traditions, sushi and yakitori, and takes its name directly from their combination.
Under the direction of Head Chef Jolbi Huacho, who brings culinary experience spanning South America, North America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, the restaurant confidently fuses Japanese culinary technique with South American Nikkei influences, creating a dining identity that is both rooted in tradition and genuinely contemporary in its expression.
Restaurant Features and Dining Experience at SushiYaki
The interior of SushiYaki is one of the more visually interesting in the Souk Madinat complex, a warm and eclectic space where Asian paper umbrellas hang from the ceiling above red leather seating, wood-accented walls and wooden floors sit alongside copper-coloured tables, and a lush foliage wall runs beside Japanese murals of geisha girls. AI-illustrated interiors described by the restaurant as a harmonious fusion of tradition and technology give the space an artistic edge that distinguishes it from more conventional Japanese restaurant design. The sushi bar is the centrepiece of the room, where guests can take counter seats to watch sushi and sashimi being prepared in full view, adding a theatrical and interactive dimension to the dining experience.
Both indoor and outdoor seating are available, with the outdoor terrace overlooking the Souk Madinat Jumeirah waterway, particularly appealing in the cooler months from October through April. The atmosphere is sophisticated yet accessible, drawing a mixed crowd of tourists, residents, and food enthusiasts who have been won over by the restaurant’s quality since word began to spread in early 2024. FooDiva, one of Dubai’s most respected food critics, awarded the restaurant a high 4.5 out of 5 and described it as meriting a long and successful run in one of Jumeirah’s most competitive dining locations.
The menu is divided clearly between the two headline categories that give the restaurant its name, sushi and yakitori, alongside a broader supporting cast of Nikkei-influenced dishes that reflect Chef Jolbi’s South American experience. The sushi programme covers traditional nigiri, sashimi in four-piece selections, hand rolls, and a range of signature maki rolls, all prepared with high-quality fish and presented with the care and precision the category demands. The Nigiri Nikkei selection is among the restaurant’s most distinctive offerings, bringing South American flavour touches to the traditional nigiri format in a way that distinguishes SushiYaki within Dubai’s crowded Japanese restaurant scene. Signature dishes and must-orders highlighted consistently by guests include the Black Cod Yakitori, grilled to perfection with a caramelised finish, the Salmon Tuna Taco, a melt-in-the-mouth creation of tuna and salmon in mini taco shells with avocado, crispy shiso, sesame oil, and citrus chalaca, and the Yuzu Green Salad with mixed Asian lettuce, kumquats, lychee, and orange pearls in a bold yuzu dressing that guests describe as a refreshing and distinctive starter.
The Tuna Tataki with baby gem lettuce, eel sesame sauce, and crispy aburare, the Tempura Prawns praised for their light and crispy batter, and the Chicken Sando described by one reviewer as so tasty and satisfying it was a real highlight of the evening, are among the other consistently praised dishes. The Wagyu Striploin Steak, ceviches, carpaccios, and fresh seafood preparations round out the main course options for guests who want something beyond sushi and skewers. Sushi platters are available in set combinations for those who want to sample broadly across the nigiri, maki, and sashimi selection in a single sitting. Desserts include an Umeboshi ice cream with vanilla cheesecake and yuzu caviar, and a Berries Lemongrass Gel with sesame sponge, continuing the menu’s commitment to unexpected flavour combinations carried right through to the end of the meal.
Beverage is seen by guests as a strength of this establishment with an extensive range of wine choices, good signature cocktails, signature highballs, mocktails, and a separate Japanese tea house category in the beverages menu highlighting traditional Japanese teas presented beautifully with a ceremony-like theme. The Nomikai Hour, introduced in 2025, is a year-round social beverage program based on the Japanese concept of Nomikai, where guests can meet good drinks and great company, providing drinks starting from AED 25 with Zonin Prosecco, craft beers, and signature cocktails during selected hours.
Lunch Moriawase is priced at AED 250 and Lunch Yakitori is AED 240, allowing guests to visit the restaurant for their weekday lunch meals. The most elaborate sharing menu options for dinner are Combo Yakirolls for AED 360 and Combo Moriawase for AED 490. This restaurant is wheelchair friendly, provides both indoor and outdoor seating facilities, a complete bar, online reservations facility, and credit and debit card acceptance facility. Average spend is approximately AED 350 to AED 500 per person.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah is one of Dubai’s most atmospheric dining and leisure destinations, with its network of canopied waterways, Arabic-style architecture, and proximity to Madinat Jumeirah’s hotels and the beach. The Burj Al Arab is approximately a 5-minute drive from Souk Madinat. Wild Wadi Waterpark is adjacent to the complex. Jumeirah Beach is a short walk away. Mall of the Emirates is around 10 minutes by car. Dubai Marina is approximately 15 minutes away. Dubai International Airport is about 30 minutes by road.
Address: SushiYaki, Waterfront at Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +971 4 451 9170
Email: reservations@sushiyaki.ae
Website: sushiyaki.ae
Opening Hours: Daily, lunch and dinner
Average Cost for Two: AED 700 to AED 1,000
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