We continue to discover the best establishments in the most attractive spots on the map for summer trips (and not only). This time the editorial focus is on Vladivostok, a port city that has absorbed all the best of Asian and European culinary art. We tell you what to eat and where in the capital of the Far East, bathed by the sea on three sides.
The best pan-asian cuisine
Partizansky Avenue, 44B
8 (908) 983-20-16
If seafood is the hallmark of the Far Eastern capital, then Zuma is, due to its diversity, the best place for a gastronomic excursion. A team of masters led by Egor Anisimov, winner of the “Chef of the Year” award in the Far East according to WhereToeat, collects the culinary traditions of Japan, Thailand, China, Singapore and Vietnam and offers them a new authorial interpretation. The restaurant halls are designed in red colors (symbol of blood, strength and life) and black (mystery, mystery and infinity). The accent of the space is a metal sculpture of the goddess Guan Yin, who, according to legend, constantly helps all living beings. Of course, the main characters of Zuma are on the menu: king crab, Moroccan octopus with pak choi and assorted shrimp.
Symbiosis of Asian and Russian cultures.
Semenovskaya street, 1D
8 (423) 218-18-18
You can find a unique “contrast” between Russia and Asia in the country’s first Chinatown. The restaurant is named after the eponymous Chinatown, which appeared in the historic center of Vladivostok at the end of the 19th century. According to legend, it was here, in a densely populated slum shelter (with the most characteristic residents and establishments), that two boxes of Kolchak’s gold were hidden, and the crossing of underground labyrinths led not only to the outskirts of the city, but also abroad – to China. However, Millionka was able to modify the taste of the past into a unique gastronomic project. The interior of the establishment, which was the responsibility of the design group LPTV Design (it also created the Supra, Zuma and Tokyo Sea restaurants), combines traditional Chinese chests of drawers with Siberian carpets and flower arrangements with Tula samovars. Even the dishes in the establishment are divided into two parts, as if one was painted by a Chinese artist, the other by a Russian. The restaurant’s bar looks like an opium den. The menu includes all the best of the traditions of two cuisines: dim subs with shrimp and borscht with porcini mushrooms, halibut in sweet and sour sauce and Olivier with confit chicken thigh. The whole thing is crowned by the dessert “Golden Kolchak”, the same reference to gold hidden in the last century.
The atmosphere of an authentic Georgian party.
street. Admiral Fokin, 1B
8 (423) 227-77-22
An unexpected twist: one of the locals’ favorite establishments is the Georgian restaurant “Supra”. At the very entrance, you (more precisely, Genatsvale – this is the only way they will address you inside) will find yourself at a real Georgian party and will not notice how, together with the waiters, you will make various toasts to prosperity, dance Caucasian dances with that very lezginka, drink from a Georgian horn and try on a fluffy cap. In addition to the pearls of Caucasian cuisine, you can also try khinkali with crab and scallops, chkmeruli with shrimp, Vladivostok-style moriki and mussels in creamy sauce. You can get to the main branch (there are four in total) on the central embankment only on a first-come, first-serve basis, but we assure you that you will definitely not be bored there.
In the very centre of the capital of the Far East
Svetlanskaya street, 33/2
8 (423) 270-00-67
While strolling through the historic centre, we recommend taking a look at the former courtyard of GUM, where the gastro bar Gusto is located. Behind it is a trio of brothers: Egor (sommelier), Ilya (manager) and Ivan (chef) Nikolaevs. Unlike the noisy Supra, Gusto is an ideal choice for a brunch or an intimate dinner in a minimalist and bright interior that does not distract from the main thing – the contents of the plate and glass. The restaurant specialises in pairing, i.e. the right combination of dishes and drinks. Therefore, it is best to try pasta with pesto and tuna tartare with dried egg white and bolognese with meatballs with Austrian red wine. Other offers include lamb loin, scallops with baked potato and seafood gnocchi.
Authentic food from a Japanese chef.
Pogranichnaya street, 6
8 (423) 262-11-01
Due to its proximity to the Land of the Rising Sun, it is no surprise that Vladivostok has the most colorful establishment with the best ramen and okonomiyaki. Umami, as the restaurant’s team assures, is the fifth element of taste, in addition to sweet, salty, sour and bitter, that the human tongue can perceive. It was discovered in 1908 and has since been actively studied in Asian countries. Umami flavors can be found in seaweed and fermented foods used in sauces. The restaurant is run by Japanese chef Kazuhiko Kajima, who brought his grandmother’s most valuable recipes to Russia eight years ago. Among them are Pan-Asian ramen, scallop robata, salmon tataki and much more. The interior is also steeped in Asian culture. The huge fresco in the centre of the third hall refers to the woodblock prints of Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai, chochin lanterns are a means of illuminating the streets in the last century and figures of cats with one paw raised are the main symbol of good luck.
Al fresco dining with sea views.
village Melkovodny, 8, Russian island
8 (924) 121-44-66
Novik Country Club is a recreational park with a hotel, a restaurant with a huge terrace, a health trail, baths and rental of SUPs, yawls, boats and kayaks. It is located on the shore of Novik Bay on a Russian island. To get here from the city centre (by car for about half an hour), you need to cross two bridges: the Zolotoy (which crosses the Golden Horn Bay) and, in fact, the Russian one (by the way, it is the one depicted on the 2000 banknote). The establishment serves the main pride of the Far East: live sea oysters, scallops, assorted sea cucumbers, Far Eastern trumpet ceviche, roasted octopus and much more.
Spices and oils directly from Greece
Sukhanova street, 6A
8 (423) 258-90-90
You can recover after an active gastronomic journey through the delicacies of the sea in “Milk and Honey”, where, as you might have guessed, these two products became the starting point when developing the menu. The dishes were created in collaboration between chef Alexandra Saprykina and the signature chef of the Kuznya House from St. Petersburg. The result is an authentic meal with selected products, such as olive oil and spices from Greece. They offer hummus with fresh vegetables, fried halloumi cheese with truffle honey and mint, veal mignon with pepper sauce and much more. As noted by the Pergaev Bureau group, which was in charge of the design, most of the projects in Vladivostok are similar to each other: their interiors are dark and absorbed in Asian concepts. The city’s inhabitants lack aesthetics and diversity, so in “Milk and Honey” light colors predominate: white, beige and blue.
The best traditions of Asian cuisine overlooking the Golden Horn Bay
street. Vsevolod Sibirtseva, 42 years old
8 (423) 272-72-35
Translated from Spanish, Del Mar means “by the sea”. On the most beautiful street in the city, near Beauty Avenue, just above the Golden Horn Bay there is a restaurant where you can not only enjoy the view, but also try equally delicious food. For example, marinated salmon, mussel and shrimp salad, crab tempura and more. As a main dish there is duck breast with pineapples, pork medallions, halibut and salmon butterfly. The establishment is designed in subdued colors so that visitors do not forget that the most important thing is under their windows and on the table.
Agricultural products
Partizansky Avenue, 44 k6
8 (423) 230-20-45
Ogonek is a real find for connoisseurs of natural farm products. The menu in front of each dish indicates its supplier, energy value, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. In addition, the ideal gastronomic combination is detailed here. For example, with honey-glazed pork ribs they offer a salad with roast beef and sun-dried tomatoes and crab croquettes in a cheese basket. The completely open kitchen, where the entire team of chefs, led by chef Dmitry Yashin, immerses you in the atmosphere and inspires complete confidence. The restaurant’s interior with wooden decorations, dandelion-shaped lamps and stained glass windows helps you forget that city life is bustling behind its walls.
Signature Japanese cuisine.
street. Burachka, 1B
8 (423) 262-27-77
Tokio is a coastal chain of Asian restaurants (in no way related to the city of Tokyo in St. Petersburg). There are a total of 9 establishments spread across the region, but it is the Más branch that has become the most authentic and attractive to both local residents and tourists. The project is based on the principle of a Japanese house on stilts on the seashore. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by the sculpture “Hi-no-Mura”, a symbol of the rising sun. This is just the beginning of immersion in the country’s culture. The tabletops of the establishment are made of wood from sunken ships and boats; the two floors are decorated with Japanese household items brought from the southern island of Kyushu, glazed ceramic vessels and hand-made scrolls. The menu includes the entire variety of Japanese and Pan-Asian cuisine and, of course, sets of rolls, sashimi and sushi.
