Japanese-inspired Peruvian (Nikkei) cuisine is being introduced to Hong Kong next month with the opening of TokyoLima restaurant.
A late-night destination with the atmosphere of an izakaya (informal Japanese gastropub), the restaurant and bar will be tucked away on Lyndhurst Terrace in the heart of Central. It will feature hidden nooks, eclectic vintage furniture and soft-draping fabrics giving a sense of mystery while feeling intimate and familiar.
Its terracotta-tiled bar will offer a sake menu as well as cocktails by mixologist Isabella Vannoni, and in the restaurant diners can have Nikkei plates at the open kitchen’s counter or on aged-leather sofas.
Peruvian chef Arturo Melendez heads the kitchen, offering small to large sharing plates of fresh seafood with textures and ingredients such as Peruvian aji amarillo chili, passionfruit Tiger’s Milk, pickled kiuri and citrus shoyu.
ToykoLima is the third establishment for restaurateurs Manuel Palacio and Christian Talpo of Pirata Group after Pirata and The Optimist.  
“In an izakaya, anyone is welcome – from CEOs to groups of students. Everyone is invited to drink, eat, relax and let loose under one roof,” says Talpo. “It’s a place anyone can make their own. At TokyoLima, people can stop by throughout the night for a quick cocktail and bite to eat at the bar, a carafe of sake, or a long catch-up with friends over a feast of Nikkei plates.”