Sydney is well acquainted with Sokyo restaurant at The Star by Executive Chef Chase Kojima, now Queensland’s Gold Coast has its turn.
Kyomi, Jupiters Hotel & Casino, Gold Coast
Kyomi is the newest venture by the renowned chef which opened late in December 2014 at Jupiters Hotel & Casino as part of its $345 million refurbishment. The restaurant serves a modern Japanese menu and cutting edge cuisine for which Kojima is renowned.
Kiyomi Bar
Kiyomi is located on the Lobby level of Jupiters. The 120 seat restaurant is the design of Luchetti Krelle, a design firm responsible for many venues including Momofuku Sieobo and Adriano Zumbo at The Star in Sydney.
Booth Seating
The stylish interior blends traditional Japanese motifs, dark timbers, clean lines, striking murals amidst booth seating and high tables.
Artwork by Japanese Street Artist
A bespoke fluorescent UV artwork by Tokyo-based Japanese street artist Houxo Que is a 6 metre x 2.6 metre piece covering an entire wall of the restaurant which took over four days to install.
Chasing Kiyomi, Momouri Sour
The name Kiyomi refers to a type of Japanese citrus fruit (Citrus unshiu × sinensis) that is a hybrid of a mandarine and a sweet orange. The symbolism reflects not only the use of citrus throughout the menu but the blend of Japanese and Australian flavours.
The drinks menu is elaborate. You’ll be tempted by the eight Japanese style cocktails starting with the signature Chasing Kiyomi ($18), a mix of gin, Grand Marnier, San Pellegrino Mandarin, orange bitters and Aperol.
Chasing Kiyomi
The drink has been created with the flavours of Kiyomi in mind – fruity and a little sweet on the palate.
The Momoiro Sour ($18) brings Onigoroshi sake with shiso leaf, rosemary and lime juice in a classic sour cocktail. The drink embodies delicate and balanced Japanese flavours and makes for easy sipping.
Japanese Margarita
Other cocktails worth choosing are the Japanese Margarita ($18) with Herradura Tequila and yuzu juice with a (not so) black salt rim. If you like your cocktails on the punchy side, the Old Yamazaki ($18) hits the whisky spot with a mix of Kakubin Whisky, cherry bitters, a hint of Green Fairy Absinth.
The wine list is four pages long with many local and international varietals. Japanese whisky also features on the menu with the likes of Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki and Kakubin.
Dewazakura Seijo Karakuchi Sake
The sake list ranges from the everyday drinking style of Honjozo, to Jumai, Ginjo Junmai Ginjo and the more delicate Junmai Daiginjo with 50% polishing rate. Some are available by the glass at a starting price of $9. When you order sake by the bottle, it comes served in a special carafe with an ice reservoir in the centre which keeps it cold without any dilution.
Kiyomi is a celebration of umami and brings to the palate unique flavours with a food menu that is reminiscent of Sokyo.
Shishito Peppers with Lime Miso and Parmigiano Reggiano
Dinner begins with an amuse of flash-fried Shishito Peppers with lime miso and grated Parmigiano Reggiano. They range from sweet to hot where one in ten is very hot, as Chef Kojima explains. The heat from the lucky tenth is a little offset by the citrus in the miso rest but the rest are sweet and prime the palate.
Scampi Seared, Foie Gras, Apple & Mizuna
The Scampi Seared, Foie Gras, Apple & Mizuna ($9 each) is set to become Kiyomi’s signature dish. The presentation is elegant and stunning with the scampi shells on the bed of ice while the meat is resting on a bamboo leaf.
The sweetness of the scampi and the creaminess and richness of the foie gras work in harmony while the crisp apple matchsticks adds texture and tartness. Sensational flavours are at play here and this is one dish to be missed.
Hiramasa Kingfish, Miso Ceviche, Crispy Potato
The Hiramasa Kingfish, Miso Ceviche, Crispy Potato ($19) is another favourite, combining textural elements from the crispy potato to the freshness and zestiness of the fish.
Tuna – Tataki, Aspargus, Enoki, Tosazu, Leek Sauce
The presentation of Tuna Tataki, Aspargus, Enoki, Tosazu, Leek Sauce ($24) makes it almost too pretty to eat. The tuna is lightly seared giving it a crispy border while the sauce is a delightful balance of salty, tangy and slightly smoky flavours.
Moreton Bay Bug, Grapefruit, Sambal Mayo, Vinegar
The tempura batter in the Moreton Bay Bug, Grapefruit, Sambal Mayo, Vinegar ($24) is ever so light. The dish is accompanied by sambal mayo with a touch of spice and a vinegar sauce, the latter being the favourite as the former overpowers the delicate flavour of the crustacean.
Dengakuman, Toothfish, Carmelised Miso
From from the binchotan grill comes Dengakuman, Toothfish, Carmelised Miso ($37 for full size) with a delightful glaze, sweet and savoury that complements the texture of the flaky fish.
Wagyu +9 Striploin, Eschalot, Spicy Teriyaki
Served pink, the Wagyu +9 Striploin, Eschalot, Spicy Teriyaki ($55) is juicy and tender with a hint of sweetness and smoke.
King Brown Mushroom, Truffle Poke, Lime
Intricately scored, the King Brown Mushroom, Truffle Poke, Lime ($14) bring fragrant and earthy flavours with a hint of citrus.
Clockwise L-R: Tai Nori, Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna, Queensland Roll
The trio of sushi is the last of the savoury dishes and it is good to see Chef Kojima’s signature Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna ($20) on the menu, with toasted rice topped with spicy tuna. Tai Nori ($19) comes with Shio Konbu Salsa on a sheet of crispy nori which adds texture and umami. The Queensland Roll ($23) with spanner crab wrapped in soy paper and topped with avocado is deliciously creamy and moresih.
Yatsuhashi
Pre-dessert is Yatsuhashi, a popular Kyoto specialty of soft glutinous mochi filled with frozen strawberry milkshake that can be described as a party in the mouth.
Goma Street
Another Sokyo classic, Goma Street ($14) brings tempered dark chocolate, crunchy caramelised white chocolate mousse and a smooth quenelle of black sesame ice cream.
Kiyomi brings the best of Sokyo in a dining experience to remember and repeat. From the elegant presentation of the dishes to the harmony of flavours and textures, Sokyo’s younger sibling is a destination restaurant and a must-do while on the Gold Coast.
Next… Review of Jupiters Hotel & Casino
Photography © by Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
Gourmantic travelled to Queensland and dined at Kiyomi as guests of Jupiters Hotel & Casino.
Kiyomi
Jupiters Hotel & Casino Gold Coast
Broadbeach Island (off Gold Coast Highway), Broadbeach, Queensland
Tel: +61 (07) 5592 8443 or 1800 074 344
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 5.30pm – 10pm
All so well presented. The scampi dish sounds decadent and delish! And dessert too.
Thanks Michaela. As hard as it was to pick a favourite, the scampi was my choice too!
[…] a $345 million dollar transformation with the first phase including Japanese restaurant and bar Kiyomi, the refurbishment of the building façade and a new poolside […]
Had dinner there on the weekend. Great service and food. The Dengakuman was so good, and the crispy rice tuna was something else.
[…] we travelled to Canberra with Doma Hotels for LiloTang Restaurant, to Queensland’s Gold Coast for Kiyomi Restaurant, and to Melbourne with Bacardi for Bacardi Legacy Australian Final. During the colder months, we […]