Our fabulous capital is fortunate to have no shortage of better and better Asian restaurants, but at YAMA in the Fifth District you can have an experience like no other.
Yama means mountain in Japanese, and the name comes from the aspiration to reach the top. They don't take this lightly, as they make no secret of their aim to be of the highest quality in every respect. Not only in terms of food and drink, but also in terms of the guest experience.
The best from the best
The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Péter Endrődi, who has been part of the team since the beginning. He sees the biggest challenge of the project as finding the ingredients, which took more than six months, and then finalising the menu. The ingredients are always of the highest quality available in Europe. The bluefin red tuna, for example, is flown in directly from Spain and has a premium certification. You can also find out exactly how old it is, where it was caught and all the information you need. The wagyu is supplied by Matusz-Vad, which Peter says is currently the best quality in the country. The largest quantities are clearly produced by with vegetables and with fruit processing up to 500 kilos a month in their kitchens. That's not a small amount, and considering that there are only 12 people working in the kitchen and 4 on the sushi floor, it's more than commendable.
When abundance does not bother you
Since the first brainstorming session, they've done a lot of tweaking of the food and the menu, which, he says, has been a real team effort. His favourites are the Yama garden, a special ice cream dish with chocolate morels and cotton candy, the surf and turf and their tom yum soup. The latter is definitely worth a try, as the base soup itself contains so many ingredients and spices that it is a particularly rich taste experience in itself. It contains umami, the fifth flavour, which makes it even more irresistible.
The menu is not short, with 69 items in total, most of which are the different types of sushi and rolls are given. Of course, even if you're not a big fan of the genre, there are so many tempting dishes that it's impossible to choose, so no wonder you have to come back here. And each dish is served with unprecedented creativity. As well as the unique flavour pairings, Peter is equally proud of the inventive solutions that set them apart from the competition. For me, the 8-piece truffle and tahini roll took the cake, but I won't spoil it for you, so go and see the wonders!
But it's not just the food that's worth coming for...
In addition to the food, the thirst quenching was not left to chance. The drinks are equally influenced by Asian flavours and Eastern ingredients. Norbert Margitics, general manager, came up with the idea for the signature cocktails, and Mátyás Czirják and Erik Acsádi refined the drinks. What is definitely worth highlighting here is that the cocktails are also designed to appeal to most of the senses at once. For two of the cocktails, they selected two items from the selection of Viktória Minya (one of the few female Orr, or perfumers), which perfectly matched the fragrance of the drink, enhancing the experience.
If you want something a little simpler, I highly recommend their wines, as they have a fantastic selection. My favourite is the sauvignon from the Dog Point winery in New Zealand, and for cocktails I recommend the Sexy Fish. So even if you're only thinking about a few drinks, it's worth a visit, as there's guaranteed to be something to suit everyone.
Relaxed elegance
We can't leave YAMA's interior design without saying a few words, as breathtaking solutions have been created. Construction started last May and the doors opened in November. When you consider the grandiose interior and the many elements made especially for them, this is no mean feat. Anyone with a passing interest in interior design will be familiar with the name of Ákos Bara, who has proven his worth almost everywhere in the world. In Budapest, he has been responsible for the design of Marty's, Bestia and Toprum, among others, but he has also designed bars in Los Angeles and Spain, and has worked with well-known hotel chains such as Le Meridien and Kempinski.
The restaurant's Art Nouveau arches add to the exclusive atmosphere, ensuring you won't want to leave for a long time. The unique lighting technology of BE LIGHT! and Lumo, the most spectacular feature of the restaurant is undoubtedly the neon installation hanging above the bar, which can be changed to the colour of the occasion for corporate or private events.
An extraordinary experience
In the light of the above, I think it's safe to say that YAMA is a must if you really want an experience like no other. Whether you're looking for a nice dinner, a corporate event, or just looking for something exciting after a particularly tough Wednesday, you won't be disappointed. Just when you think you've seen it all (and eaten it all), head to 6 October Street!
Address: 1051 Budapest Október 6. utca 9.
