‘Secret Japanese bar’ launches at Cubé in Mayfair

An “informal and secret” Japanese bar, The Oden Bar, has launched in the lower ground of Mayfair restaurant Cubé with just 12 seats and only serving one dish.

Oden is one of the oldest fast foods in Japan with roots stretching back hundreds of years and is typically eaten in colder months. To eat, Oden diners are presented with a bowl of dashi stock containing a selection of chosen ingredients and a small pot of mustard on the side. Diners take the ingredients, dip in the mustard, and then eat with the “occasional slurp” of dashi.

To pair with the dish, bar manager Reo Nomura has created Nikka Whisky Highballs which is Nikka whisky infused in-house with Earl Grey, blueberry, lemongrass, raspberry, apple, cinnamon and pink pepper, topped with soda.

To celebrate the launch the Oden and Highball can be ordered together for £20 (including unlimited dashi stock).

The Oden tradition originated in the 18th Century late-Edo early Meiji period as a warming street snack that developed regional variations overtime. In modern Japan convenience stores have an unusual addition of stainless steel food-warmers next to the tills containing Oden, with boiled eggs, daikon, Chuwa fishcakes, Japanese sausage and other ingredients in a dashi broth ready to eat in-store or take away.

The Oden Bar will be open in Cubé until the end of March, open from Tuesday to Saturday evenings from 6pm until close.