Ikebana Zen is the new Japanese speakeasy from husband and wife team Andrew Yuan and Seven Gu, located in Hell’s Kitchen [401 W 53rd Street]. Previously an omakase-style restaurant, Ikebana Zen’s new concept offers an extensive variety of small plates all inspired from Japanese cuisine, along with distinctive cocktails made with Japanese spirits and edible flowers.
The menu is curated by Chef Chi Wong, who previously worked at notable Japanese restaurants in Hong Kong like Zuma and Yardbird HK, where he served as head chef, executing unique menus inspired by Chinese and Japanese comfort food.
Ikebana Zen menu highlights include:
- Seafood Miso Soup, made with a homemade broth and topped with fresh snow crab
- Zen Karaage, Japanese fried chicken tossed in sweet chili sauce, sesame and almonds
- Charred Shisito Peppers served with a Japanese cream cheese mayo
- Pork Gyoza, pan fried with housemade ponzu sauce and a fiery chili oil
- Roasted Maitake Mushrooms with yuba chips and dashi cream sauce with chive oil
- Yakimono, grilled hamachi kama with a green sesame salad
- 401 Wagyu Sliders with housemade wagyu patties, zesty garlic mayo, lotus chip and served with fried potatoes.
Ikebana Zen also offers an extensive array of unique cocktails using a variety of edible flowers and Japanese spirits. Cocktails from head bartender Jommie Ratchoo include the Ikebana Zen 2.0 with bourbon, maraschino, sweet vermouth, creme de cacao and chocolate bitters; Violet Daze, a smooth cocktail with Haku vodka, ichiko shochu, junmai sake, butterfly pea flower and lavender; The Emerald Garden, a refreshing cocktail with vodka, cucumber, bergamot liqueur and lime and Gold Makes it Better with gin, dried sage, lemon, vermouth and orange bitters.
Ikebana Zen’s happy hour offers Martinis, Margaritas and Mojitos for $9 with a choice of flavors like classic, pomegranate, lychee, passion fruit, pineapple, apple or strawberry. Other classic cocktails like their Gimlet, Manhattan, and Whiskey Sour are available for $10. Small plates like Pork Gyoza, Harumaki, Jumbo Shrimp Shumai, Zen Karaage and Shrimp Tempura are also available.
Ikebana Zen is everything that Hell’s Kitchen was missing, we had a such great time, and we need to talk about quality of the drinks. You deserve this experience!!!
CosmopoliTips 