The Kikuchi Menu Concept
The Kikuchi cocktail menu—recognized by the World’s 50 Best Bars as one of the top eight cocktail menus globally—transforms standard mixology into an immersive, multi-sensory journey designed to spark deep curiosity, nostalgia, and wonder.
Developed under the beverage leadership of Manja Stankovic at Mimi Kakushi, the Kikuchi menu was built on this exact premise. Instead of relying on traditional flavor profiles, the program channels the avant-garde spirit of 1920s Osaka and Japanese jazz culture into an interactive, multisensory ritual.
Furthermore, the menu is named in honor of Kikuchi Shigeya—hailed as the father of jazz in Japan—and discards conventional formats entirely to immerse guests directly in the narrative.
To bring this era to life, the concept mirrors Shigeya’s legacy as a musician alongside his circle of avant-garde artists. As a result, rather than a standard list of drinks, it functions as a curated archive of 1920s vinyl and landmark tracks where sound and music transform into flavor.
The Interaction
- Guests experience a genuine sense of wonder and shock when presented not with a standard menu, but with a custom wooden box housing 13 bespoke vinyl cases. This tactile exploration and deep sense of nostalgia define the concept: each cocktail acts as the physical album art for a specific track, directly linking the glass to actual records.
The Performance
- Behind the bar, the team matches that narrative weight with uncompromising technical execution. Every build relies on rare Japanese craft spirits, handpicked regional ingredients, and hand-carved ice art—crafted with absolute precision and tailored seamlessly to individual guest preferences.
The Reveal
- The experience culminates in the room’s atmosphere. The exact moment the drink is served, the team informs guests that the vinyl they selected is now spinning live through the venue just for them—sparking a striking moment of realization where taste, sound, and a warm acoustic ambiance dissolve into a single, seamless sensory journey.