The recently opened Makifornia is the first branch outside of its native Brussels, Belgium. Here, you will get to taste the original Makifornia flavors but with more variety, as this is their largest branch. Makifornia’s ambience is a testament to the thoughtful consideration put into every detail of the restaurant’s design and layout. From the ground floor’s forest-inspired tranquillity to the rooftop’s stunning city views, every element works in harmony to create an environment that is both cozy and comfortable.
Here’s what we tried:
The starters:
From the starters, we tucked into the kani & cucumber salad, which was a medley of crunchy cucumber, tender kani crab, avocado, chili mayo, tobiko, and furikake. The flavors were understated while the texture was creamy and crunchy simultaneously. We also tucked into the Korean Gochujang Chicken, a first for me, which was a delicious combination of Korean style fried chicken with Gochujang chili sauce, ito togarashi, sesame, and garnished with scallions.
We also ordered our favorite Japanese Chicken Karaage, featuring bite-sized pieces of chicken that are marinated in a blend of soy sauce, ginger, and other seasonings before being coated in flour or starch and deep-fried to perfection. This process results in chicken that is tender and juicy on the inside with a crispy, golden exterior. Karaage is often served as an appetizer, side dish, or a main course, accompanied by slices of lemon and mayonnaise for dipping.
Tokyo fries comes in a variant of crispy potato fries or sweet potato fries Spicy sauce, furikake, arare, and scallions, served with gochujang sauce and wasabi mayo. The popcorn shrimp was another treat with crunchy shrimp, seasoned with spicy sauce, scallion, ito togarashi, and chili.
Sticky Chili Chicken in bao was similar to a burger, minus the bun which was the traditional Japanese bun known as bao. This encased the sticky crispy chicken breast, sticky soy & chili, shiso slaw, pickled cucumber, yuzu truffle mayo.
A standout on the menu, among many, was their crusty rolls, a variant of traditional sushi. In these, the outer rice part is deep fried, rendering a crispy crunch. Our choice was the crusty beef which had marinated teriyaki beef, peppers, Makifever sauce, as well as scallions.
I hadn’t indulged in a Poké bowl in ages and the Poké Fresh Salmon was a really good choice. It was refreshing and flavorful with soya marinated salmon, cabbage, carrot, mango, cucumber, guacamole and fresh cheese, ponzu sauce, sesame, and pomegranate seeds.
Continuing in the bowl style, we also tried, for the first time, the Donburi with beef teriyaki. This included thinly sliced of marinated beef cooked in teriyaki sauce, sautéed vegetables, red sesame, with crispy rice noodles scallions. It was satisfying and mildly spiced. A unanimous favorite.
The sushi:
Now on to the sushi, there were several options to choose from so we selected the Makifornia Dream platter with three kinds of sushi. The first was dynamite which was shrimp tempura, avocado, kani crab, unagi sauce, spicy sauce, red tobiko, Japanese spices, and chili. The second was pikatchu with karaage chicken, mango, cucumber, spicy sauce, sesame, and scallions, and my favorite, the pink panther with shrimp tempura, cream cheese, avocado, torched salmon, unagi sauce, spicy sauce, and golden tobiko for a spicy kick.
The beverages:
Makifornia has some really refreshing mojitos and mocktails and we tried pretty much all of them. These included the Makifornia cooler, a blend of crisp cucumber, fragrant elderflower, white rose essence, and a burst of lime juice. Then South Sea, concocted with passion fruit, lychee, lime juice and a touch of jasmine tea. For a zing, I loved with the lemon basil bliss, made of fresh lemon, fragrant basil, fiery ginger with a subtle caramel undernote. And finally, the red berry raspberry with aromatic sage leaves, lime wedges and a splash of cranberry juice.
The sweet treats
Following a sumptuous feast that left us thoroughly satisfied, my personal benchmark for evaluating the quality of a dining establishment extends beyond the main courses to the finesse with which they craft their desserts. Thus, motivated by curiosity and an unyielding appetite for sweets, we decided to indulge in not one, but two desserts.
The first choice was a mango cheesecake, which stood apart from the conventional style usually offered. This particular dessert was a creation of vanilla cheesecake, which was then elevated with the addition of a unique sesame and arare (Japanese rice cracker) crumb. This provided a delightful textural contrast to the creamy cheesecake. Complementing this were layers of rich mango sauce, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a final dusting of matcha powder.
Our second selection was a baked fondant, but this was no ordinary fondant. It was a concoction of rich dark chocolate fondant, encased with a layer of green tea and white chocolate ganache. This pairing not only introduced a depth of flavor but also a pleasant surprise hidden within. To cut through the richness of the chocolate and balance the sweetness of the ganache, the fondant was served alongside a scoop of tangy raspberry sorbet. This provided a refreshing contrast and elevated the entire dessert experience.
In essence, these dessert selections not only satisfied our cravings for something sweet but also served as a testament to the venue’s commitment to excellence and innovation in their culinary offerings. It was a delightful conclusion to an already memorable meal, underscoring the establishment’s prowess in delivering not just good food, but an exceptional dining experience.
Final Thoughts:
Makifornia stands not just as a restaurant but as a beacon of culinary innovation, bringing the best of Japanese cuisine to Dubai’s diverse food scene. Its commitment to quality, authenticity, and innovation makes it a must-visit destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in a gastronomic journey unlike any other.
With its strategic location, exceptional menu, and stunning ambiance, Makifornia is poised to become a cornerstone of Dubai’s culinary landscape.
For gastronomy enthusiasts and culinary adventurers seeking to discover new horizons, Makifornia offers more than just a meal—it offers an experience that captivates the senses and leaves an indelible mark on the heart of Dubai’s dining culture.
Visit: Makifornia-Jumeirah, Dubai
Jumeirah Beach Rd – Jumeirah – Jumeirah 1 – Dubai
Phone: 04 886 8875