Launched only a few months before the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Japan Hi restaurant has welcomed back Kyiv‘s sushi aficionados after a three-month hiatus instigated by the aforementioned event. Founded by hospitality entrepreneurs Misha Katsurin and Dasha Katsurina who own a string of establishments in the Ukrainian capital, the eatery occupies a modernist cylindrical structure built in 1986 and which formerly housed a physical therapy unit of a polyclinic of the National Writers Union of Ukraine. The building is situated in Stariy Kyiv, the historic heart of the city, and once formed an integral part of a complex which also included a six-storey building, but has become an independent entity since it was redeveloped by local architect Emil Dervish for hospitality purposes. Situated on the ground floor, sharing the space with other culinary ventures, Japan Hi sees an interior design by Kyiv-based architect and interior designer Anna Riabova.
Much of the structure’s original shell has been retained and embedded in the new settings, featuring exposed brick walls and ceilings, albeit now whitewashed, and paired with the original flooring. A black spiral staircase is situated in the middle of the building and leads to the communal outdoor terrace on the roof. A circular wooden bar aligns with an open kitchen, allowing guests to witness the dexterous sushi chefs at work,, and is surrounded by additional seating configurations. The restaurant is dotted with eye-catching details, such as Isamu Noguchi‘s iconic pendant lamps and the custom-made tapestries by artist Ksenia Bilyk which are a nod to traditional Japanese Shoji or room dividers aiming to create a certain serenity. The menu at Japan Hi is extensive and combines the essence of traditional Japanese cuisine, albeit with the latest modern influences at both the hot kitchen and the open sushi bar, serving Onigiri, Futomaki, Katsu sandwiches and more, all accompanied by sparkling sake, craft beer and natural wine.
Japan Hi
Reytarska vulytsya 15 (Stariy Kyiv)
01030 Kyiv
Telephone: +380 96 8007877
Daily 12pm-8pm
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
