Renowned chefs José Avillez and Ross Shonhan have joined forces to offer diners a spectacular Portuguese-Japanese fusion menu

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai’s acclaimed chefs José Avillez of Tasca and Ross Shonhan of Netsu, have teamed up to create a limited-edition tasting menu that brings together the very best of their individual restaurants’ cuisines, for two nights only.

The exquisite event will celebrate Portugal’s profound influence on Japanese cuisine, an amalgamation of flavours that began years ago. In 1543, a ship carrying three Portuguese sailors was blown off course and ended up on the Japanese island of Tanegashima. For almost 100 years after that, the Portuguese influenced many aspects of life in Japan, establishing a trading port of items such as corn, chilli peppers and soap.

Amongst others, a dish that possibly left the most lasting impression was Peixinhos da horta, a battered and fried green bean recipe. Today, in Japan, it is known as tempura and has been a staple of the country’s cuisine ever since.

Chefs José Avillez and Ross Shonhan have worked closely together to express the signature flavours of their own cuisines; resulting in an innovative menu that encourages diners to explore the intrinsic links between Japanese and Portuguese cuisines and enjoy a unique twist on the avant-garde textures and flavours for which chefs José and Chef Ross are well-known.

Expect servings of Oyster yaki with vilão sauce, Red prawn gunkan sushi and chicken, The first tempura, Bulhão pato clams with a fermented Japanese rice beverage, Hamachi nanban zuke, Rabbit curry pan and Castella – “pão de ló de chá verde” (green tea sponge cake).

The Portuguese-Japanese tasting menu will be available on May 17 and in Netsu and on May 18 in Tasca.

May 17 in Netsu and May 18 in Tasca from 6:30pm onwards. AED650 per person (inclusive of grape pairings). Call +9714 777 2222 or email modub-tasca@mohg.com. Visit Instagram: Netsu and Tasca.