OKU Restaurant is one of the newest creative fine dining restaurants on the island of Ibiza in Spain. Chef Mark Vaessen and his team offer a delicious Japanese/South-American dining experience in an elegant and laid-back setting. Some of the best products on the island are transformed into dishes that excel in flavour and creativity.

Concept & Location

OKU restaurant is located inside the vibrant new OKU Ibiza Hotel. This hotel complex opened its doors in 2020 and embodies all the characteristics of the Balearic island. Located on the sunset side of Ibiza, within walking distance of the city of San Antonio, OKU Ibiza enjoys a tranquil setting between the ocean and the hills. Nestled among beaches and foothills, OKU Ibiza is only a short walk away from the beautiful Cala Gracio bay and beaches, and the town of San Antonio can be reached within a 30 minutes’ (and very beautiful) walk. The resort is located about a 40 minutes’ drive from the airport or a 25 minutes’ drive from Ibiza town.

Oku restaurant is located just next to the resort’s main pool. The dining room is minimalistic but warm, with wooden tables and chairs, a concrete floor and beautiful Japanese wall paintings. There’s a sushi counter, an open kitchen and a wonderful outside terrace for the warmer nights. The restaurant is only open for dinner and welcomes in-house as well as non-hotel guests. Make sure to book ahead.

The Chef

Since the opening, chef Mark Vaessen is responsible for OKU’s kitchen. Mark attended hotel school and gained experience at various fine dining & hotel restaurants in both the Netherlands and Belgium, like the Pulitzer Hotel in Amsterdam and the De Swaen in Oisterwijk. While travelling around the globe, the chef got inspired by the flavours and techniques of the Japanese and the South-American kitchen. He used these experiences during his time at the famous restaurant Sushisamba in Amsterdam. In 2020 he got the opportunity to lead OKU’s kitchen and brought his international, eclectic cooking style to the island of Ibiza.

Gastronomy

At OKU restaurant, Executive Chef Mark Vaessen serves the best flavours from Japan, combined with other Asian and South American influences. The travels from the chef are translated into dishes that emphasise the beauty of exceptional products. The à la carte dinner menu showcases local produce like organic vegetables, besides fresh catches, and, of course, Asian delicacies such as Japanese Wagyu and Hamachi. A big part of the meal consists out of sharing dishes and a meal at OKU is a sensory journey you won’t forget. Make sure to try the tuna tartare with crispy potato and caviar; the king crab with yellow curry; the Japanese Black wagyu with qalsa anticucho, miso and crispy garlic; the Japanese beef tartare with fried egg, crispy shallots and ponzu, and the Pão de queijo with jamón de pata negra, tomato and spicy popcorn. All equally delicious!

 “My philosophy in cooking is simple: cook with all your heart and soul using the best produce, and don’t make it too complicated. In the Japanese kitchen it all starts with beautiful produce, there is nothing to hide! I am also inspired by the social aspect of Mediterranean and Japanese cultures, which both share food generously with friends and family as a way to connect with each other. The dishes and dining experience at the OKU restaurant are designed to embrace this ethos”.
– Mark Vaessen

Example tasting menu:

Service And Wine

Service is in line with the rest of OKU hotel: elegant and very professional. There’s a great wine list on offer and the team also proposed some interesting saké pairings. For some qualitative pre-dinner cocktails, head to the pool bar nearby the restaurant.

Why Go?

OKU Restaurant is one of the newest culinary hotspots in Ibiza. Chef Mark Vaessen offers a unique take on the Japanese/South-American cuisine in an elegant and laid-back setting. Top quality products are served in creative dishes focused on pronounced flavours and the social aspect of dining. A wonderful experience.