Tasting Notes
Zuma Istanbul is part of the international Zuma group, which describes its food as inspired by the Japanese izakaya, where dishes arrive in turn and are shared around the table. The restaurant is inside İstinye Park on the European side, with a terrace, and opens from noon until after midnight.
Signatures and the robata grill
A signature is black cod marinated in miso and roasted in a hoba leaf. Other signatures include barley-miso chicken, spicy beef tenderloin with sesame and sweet soy, roasted lobster with chilli ponzu butter, and a Japanese mushroom rice hotpot for four. From the robata grill come jumbo tiger prawns, Chilean sea bass, lamb chops, lamb ribs glazed with sweet miso and black pepper, and steaks from sirloin to a 900 g T-bone, as well as corn, mushrooms and asparagus.
Sushi, cold plates and set menus
The sushi bar offers nigiri and sashimi by the piece, a chef's nigiri selection and sashimi moriawase, and around twenty maki rolls. Cold dishes include beef tataki with truffle ponzu, thinly sliced sea bass with yuzu and seared salmon. If you would rather not choose, the Daikoku Signature and Daikoku Premium menus are served to the whole table, for a minimum of two. Prices include VAT, and menu items may differ from the published sample menus.
Alcohol is served here.
“Come for a weekday lunch or an early dinner, share the black cod, beef tataki and a few robata dishes, and leave room for the Zuma deluxe dessert platter.”
LR Kitchen — field note