For those of you who haven’t heard about Kibou opening in the former Wilding site on Little Clarendon Street, it has been completely transformed with a stunning Japanese look to complement it’s menu. EXCLUSIVE: “Oxford’s been on our radar for a long time” The lowdown on KIBOU – the new Japanese restaurant opening in July in former Wilding site!
But could it live up to the hype and deliver on the food front? Hell yes because what they do at Kibou, they do brilliantly, offering a total introduction to Japanese food, from the well known traditional dishes to something much more ambitious.
Let’s start with the dynamite cauliflower, an innocuous sounding starter that looked like a tick box on the menu, but blew us away with every bite. We ordered seconds immediately.
you can play it safe with the japanese dishes we all know and love, but it’s venturing into the unknown that offers the best culinary experience at Kibou
Almost like a savoury version of a toffee apple – the sticky, vibrant, spicy, complex coating of sake & shichimi togarashi (a divine blend of sesame, chilli and citrus), served with a sweet & spicy sauce housed the al dente florets. What an awakening!
But then that’s Kibou for you, throwing down the gauntlet to immerse yourself in Japanese flavours and throw caution to the wind.
what they do at Kibou, they do brilliantly, offering a total introduction to Japanese food, from the well known traditional dishes to something much more ambitious
The more adventurous you are the more you’ll be rewarded, because although you can play it safe with the sushi, katsu curry and ramen dishes that we all know and love, but it’s venturing into the unknown that offers the best culinary experience at Kibou.
But I digress. Led through the contemporary decor, where exotic booths complete with neon signs and murals greet you, through to the light, airy, conservatory at the back we were seated at a vast high backed banquette. And there our odyssey began.
Some refreshing cocktails and then the dishes began rolling in quick and fast, the LANTERN ROLL platter (8 pieces of salmon and tuna topped uramaki roll, filled with soft shell crab tempura, mango, avocado, tempura flakes & tobiko). what would that taste like? Exquisite, the differing raw fish topped with a variety of crunchy tempura, green leaf, mango, meaning each was different and unique.
The NASU DENGAKU is another favourite – charred aubergine with a caramelised, sweet miso glaze, sesame and spring onion, so soft and unctuous, leaving the flavour to do the talking. We ordered another!
Even the BLISTERED PEPPERS (like Padron but covered with yuzu truffle vinaigrette & shiso), meaning they tasted of a heady and piquant citrus and salt mix, impossible to imagine until you taste them for yourselves.
And the TEMPURA prawn, tails intact, battered and deliciously crispy, served with tempura sauce and sriracha mayo, not too oily, the tempura light. Just right.
It’s hard to differentiate between the mains and starters, dishes appearing as and when the WAGYU TRUFFLE NIGIRI was another surprise the lightly seared wagyu sirloin placed on nigiri sushi rice and topped with truffle mayo, soy wasabi, tempura flakes and chives.
The contrast provided by the next dish and its clean, fresh flavours couldn’t have been more stark – the sashimi marinated mackerel – simplicity on a plate, the flavours speaking for themselves, almost like a ceviche.
And then a crowd pleaser – the mixed vegetables KATSU CURRY, panko fried and served with steamed rice, some deliciously sour Japanese pickles and the gravy which always tastes like chip shop curry sauce to me.
even when the dishes are placed in front of you, you can’t predict what they’ll taste like
What a feast. What a flavour sensation. What an experience. Because even when the dishes are placed in front of you you can’t predict what they’ll taste like.
The APPLE GYOZA were a must and lived up to all expectations, the parcels crispy, the cinnamon apple mix comforting, served with vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce, and the JAPANESE GARDEN -chocolate ganache topped with sesame mousse and finished with chocolate soil – a new favourite!
And despite having a few glasses of rose during dinner we didn’t desist from the saki flight which arrived afterwards so that you could taste and truly appreciate the difference between them all and the subtleties and nuances in the flavours.
so don’t be timid. Take the Japanese menu by the scruff of the neck and go for it, push the boundaries. You won’t be disappointed
From the stark and clean to the downright alcoholic, my favourite was a gentle apple one, but don’t be fooled by their mellow taste because they pack a punch as you discover when you stand up!
As for the staff they couldn’t have been more friendly or helpful (see main pic), and guide you through what can be a intimidating menu if you aren’t au fait with Japanese food.
So yes, a completely unique and novel dining experience awaits you at Kibou, so don’t be timid. Take the Japanese menu by the scruff of the neck and go for it, push the boundaries. You won’t be disappointed.
Kibou is at 11-12 Little Clarendon Street, Oxford OX1 2HP. https://kibou.co.uk/locations/kibou-oxford
