Words: James Soo

Tucked into the stairs under the LKF Hotel where Sushi Qube used to be, Robata Zawazawa is a tiny 20-something seat Japanese robata grill restaurant. Most of the seats cluster round the bar, and a few tables fill the rest of the compact space. Of course, Zuma and Roka are probably the most well-known robata restaurants in town, but Zawazawa is a welcome addition (especially since they’re open most nights till 2am).

We went there for lunch and tried out their well-priced sets – I had the black cod while my companion had the chicken. We also tried their seasonal vegetable hot-pot. The sets all came with soup, rice, salad and we were offered a beautiful appetizer of 6 different types of Japanese pickle elegantly presented on artfully chosen ceramic dishes arranged in a special six-compartment laquer box. Of course everything was excellent, although we felt that the chicken was probably the better choice in the end, even though the hot-pot was perfect for that unusually chilly December day. We weren’t drinking, but I couldn’t help but notice the wide variety of Japanese malt whiskies, sakes and the large cocktail menu.

I imagine at night with the robata grill on full force, the spot will be toasty and cosy in the cold winter months ahead. And despite its location right on the stairwell up to Wyndham Street, it’s a space that manages to avoid the scrum of both LKF and the bars above it, a perfect sanctuary of Japanese barbecued goodness right in the thick of it all.

Address: LG/F, 41 Wyndham Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central
Tel: 2536 9898