A taste of Japan by the sea

When it comes to gastronomy in Ibiza, culinary trends and themes come and go with each summer season. There’s one type of cuisine, however, that’s never lost its top-of-the-menu sparkle, is always in-demand, and perfectly suited to the steamy white isle climes. Sushi, in all its forms, can be found all over the island, along with plenty of other Japanese foodie staples that make the ultimate light summer bites. Good sushi however – and we mean really, really good sushi – is something you need to seek out, often involving a little trial and error. This summer, Hotel Riomar Ibiza has made the search easy, by bringing some of the world’s finest sushi to its stunning retro-chic surrounds.

From the sophisticated streets of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to the sandy shores of Santa Eulalia Bay, hip Parisian sushi brand Hando Parisian Handrolls makes its Ibiza debut in 2023. Hando founder Adrien Albou – also the accomplished director of Paul & Joe Men’s Collection and the creator of Garçons Infidèles – has teamed up with the legendary Chef Le Cheng (of Paris’ Troi Fois Plus de Piment fame) to create two exclusive Hando Ibiza menus that are available to order for lunch and dinner until August 27, 2023.

From Saint-Germain-des-Prés to Santa Eulalia Bay, hip Parisian sushi brand Hando pops up at Hotel Riomar Ibiza for a limited time only.

Diners and hotel guests can expect all the hallmarks of a Hando creation – from sustainably sourced fish (the majority of seafood served at Hando Ibiza comes from Spanish waters) and house-made signature marinades to the highest quality accoutrements – plus exciting new dishes that put a distinctly Ibiza spin on the concept. Edamame, crispy cucumber salad and goma-ae (a classic Japanese salad with sesame dressing) are ideal to share with friends on a hot summer day, followed by silky sashimi – available in plates of six or 12 pieces – in all your favourite varieties, such as salmon, yellowtail, toro and tuna – the latter combo made even better with the addition of caviar.

There’s a maki to suit all tastes and dietary requirements, from vegetarian friendly avocado versions, and the spicy-meets-salty umakara salmon to ultra-luxe lobster or toro caviar. You can also opt for elegant chirashi plates, made with salmon, toro and tuna, or mouth-watering Wagyu. It’s the signature Hando x Riomar dishes that are the most in-demand however – fusing Japanese flavours with Ibiza ingredients and traditions with a dash of French flair. Try the pimientos gomae – a twist on the tapas fave pimientos de padrón – or the taste-sensational carpaccio of sea bass with creamy Stracciatella, fresh basil and raspberry, then let your taste buds go wild with the Wagyu fillet tatami, prepared à la minute and served with Nikkei sauce, ginger, pickled onions and chives.

If you’re dining in the oh-so-chic Ocean Brasserie & Bar, all of the aforementioned Hando Ibiza delights are available, in addition to made-to-order handrolls – the signature dish the original Hando outpost was named for. Take a seat at the bar and watch as chefs scoop your choice of ingredient – think salmon, tuna, sea bass, Wagyu, yellowtail, toro, lobster, avocado and more – into a nori leaf (imported from Japan), add rice that’s been prepared to exacting standards, plus slivers of daikon, pickled vegetables and more, add a dash of creamy or spicy sauce specifically created to match the filling, then deftly roll it (single-handedly!) into the perfect Hando Ibiza specimen.

Best eaten in the moment, so the nori retains its crunch, and the ingredients are enjoyed at optimum temperature, the beauty of a snack-style menu like this is that you can continue ordering plates over the course of the day or night. Dessert too, has been given the Hando Ibiza touch, with a selection of delicious Japanese mochi – choose between genmaicha, black sesame or wild strawberry flavour bombs – and velvety ice-cream (the black sesame and Sicilian lemon flavours are to die for) from the famously experimental Parisian brand Enzo et Lily that help beat the heat.

Served on the beach, on the pool deck and in Ocean Brasserie & Bar, two exclusive Hando Ibiza menus have been created for lunch and dinner.

Last, but absolutely not least, a thoughtfully curated menu of specialty sake and Japanese whiskey completes the Hotel Riomar Ibiza immersion into the Hando culture. After your meal, kick back on the Ocean Brasserie terrace and watch the water lap the shore as dusk starts to fall over the beautiful bay, savouring a glass of refined Hibiki Harmony or delicate Choya Junmai, for example. While the Hando Ibiza sushi offering is indeed timeless, the old adage that everything good must come to an end also applies to its summer pop-up at Hotel Riomar Ibiza. As high season starts to wind down, the much-lauded Hando sushi chefs return to their kitchens in Paris from August 27, 2023 so be sure to make a reservation in the coming weeks to sample a taste of Japan by the sea.