While there was a lot of chatter among members of the food fraternity last year when there were no restaurants from Pune in the top 50 best restaurants in India, this year Ukiyo at the Ritz-Carlton in Pune managed to make an entry to the list. Ukiyo, which translates to ‘floating world,’ draws inspiration from Japan’s art, culture, and philosophy, capturing the essence of the country’s rich heritage and modern innovations.
The restaurant is a tribute to the art of Japanese cooking - beautifully presented dishes made with the finest ingredients. Whether you are a fan of sushi, sashimi, tempura, or robata, the specially curated menu by Chef Mayyur Tiwari is contemporary and comprehensive.
What Makes Ukiyo Special
The chefs are dedicated to using only the freshest and most premium ingredients, including rare seafood and seasonal produce sourced from the best suppliers. The service is attentive yet unobtrusive, with a team that is knowledgeable about the menu and eager to guide guests through their meals.
The design of Ukiyo complements the restaurant’s philosophy of blending tradition with modernity. A mix of natural wood finishes, clean lines, and subtle lighting creates an inviting atmosphere. The dining area is designed to offer both private and communal seating options, making it ideal for both intimate dinners and group gatherings.
What To Order
There is no set protocol on ordering from the menu; dishes are designed to be shared at the table. The menu showcases a variety of dishes from its three kitchens: the main kitchen, the sushi counter and the robata grill. The restaurant’s signatures include a Baby Spinach Salad, Sushi and Sashimi Platters, and offerings from the Robata Grill that showcase modern Japanese cuisine with bold reinventions, featuring accents and influences from around the world.
Don’t miss the Beetroot Poached Pear, the Wakame Salad with Hazelnut Crumble, the Monk Croquette, traditional Japanese deep-fried tofu patties with ponzu soy and Chicken Karaage, deep-fried chicken with preserved lemon aioli. The Chilean Sea Bass Croquette, the Grilled Scallop Kimchi where Japanese scallops are cooked in a spicy kimchi sauce, and the Soft-Shell Crab Tempura are other house specialties.
The Drinks
The fresco Ukiyo deck features a high-energy bar showcasing rare. Ukiyo’s cocktail menu is a carefully curated selection of inventive drinks that complement the flavours of Japanese cuisine. The bar team crafts cocktails using unique ingredients like matcha, yuzu, and umeshu (plum wine), along with Japanese spirits such as sake and shochu. The drinks menu is designed to offer a perfect balance of flavours. Sip on signature concoctions like Ikigai, Ukiyo Drift, Ukiyo Mai Tai and Umeboshi Margarita.
The sake collection is another highlight, with a selection of the finest sake sourced from various regions of Japan. For those unfamiliar with sake, the knowledgeable staff at Ukiyo can guide guests through a tasting session.