Bunka means culture and Hajime Kasuga is one of the experts in Japanese and Nikkei culture in Peru, and he has been recognized worldwide for his food with restaurants in North and South America, the middle east, and Asia.
Bunka opened its doors in San Isidro. Bunka is a new concept by chef Kasuga a space where you can enjoy great Nikkei food in a more casual and relaxed setting, with live music and a bar menu with everything from sake, Japanese whiskey, and cocktails.
THE TABLE IS SET
The restaurant has large areas to enjoy the experience, a long bar on the back is the epicenter of everything, a main diner, a private room, and some side tables to have cocktails and snacks.
The menu has a front-and-center Nikkei experience; on the side, the classics such as nigiri, sashimi, and some other cold preparations come from the sidebar, where the itamae prepares each fish with precise cuts. The moriawase sashimi has tuna, scallops, and octopus served over dry ice for a great display on the table. The Oysters come with ponzu, yuzu, and trout caviar for a fresh and playful experience. The Nikkei tacos are mischievous so that each can build their own; next to the shells, you can use pork, guacamole, kimchi, and an Asian chimichurri.
On the hotter side, the chicken karaage is a Korean-style chicken crunchy sweet, and spicy, the grilled Angus sirloin comes with yuzu butter, and they also have a seafood grilled plate with Gochujang butter that is delicious.
And to get with the world trend for the winter, you can slurp a great ramen soup.
THE LIQUID EXPERIENCE
The cocktails are some of the bests in town; Japanese flavor is infused on each cocktail inspired by great whiskey and sake; the Shigoto has whisky, sesame, vermouth, and chocolate bitters. The Negroni Matcha has rum and Campari and is served with ice with white chocolate, or the Shiitake uses mushrooms with the same name paired with tequila, passion fruit, and ginger tonic. ˜i
IN THE KNOW: Bunka is located at 1005 Conquistadores Avenue, San Isidro. Open to the public Monday to Saturday from 12:30 to 4 pm and 7 pm to 11 pm; Friday and Saturday, the shift extends from 7 pm to 2 am. And Sundays are open only for lunchtime.
