New setting. Same concept. The success of the charming project by young self-taught chef Gabriel Suarez has encouraged him to open a new Santoku location sooner than planned. Known as Madrid’s smallest restaurant and named after the famous Japanese knife celebrated for its versatility, Santoku now has two locations, both close to the iconic El Retiro Park.
The first Santoku location, at number six Lope de Rueda Street in Madrid, offers a unique experience that goes beyond the purely gastronomic. With a single table for eight diners, a chef cooking live, and an impressive six-course omakase menu for the modest price of thirty-five euros, it’s no surprise that, from the moment it opened, the restaurant generated considerable excitement. This quickly transformed into an extensive waiting list, which has been one of the primary reasons for opening a second location to meet the growing demand.
Santoku La Barra has just opened its doors on Lope de Rueda, the same street as its older sibling. The first location is at number sixteen, while the newly opened Santoku La Barra is at number six.
In this new setting, the space is more spacious, allowing guests to arrive twenty minutes before their reservation to enjoy a drink or simply wait there. Additionally, Santoku La Barra accommodates eleven diners rather than eight. Aside from these particularities, both concepts faithfully reflect the same project, drawing us into an impressive omakase menu for only thirty-five euros.
An original Japanese-inspired gastronomic proposal featuring ingredients such as eel and foie gras. As the menu is a surprise, it’s necessary to notify them of any allergies or intolerances when making a reservation, so they can make the appropriate adjustments to tailor the menu for each guest.
As Gabriel says, visiting Santoku is much more than a gastronomic experience; they have also aimed to create an unforgettable spectacle, where the presentation and the chef’s interaction always take centre stage.
Among Santoku’s most iconic dishes, we must mention delightful plates like the exquisite tuna temaki, the traditional Madrid-style gyoza filled with stew, or the bold salmon and strawberry nigiri, which serves as the sweet finale. These eye-catching bites of Japanese cuisine make up the Santoku menu, crafted sustainably to keep the price accessible, creating an unforgettable gastronomic experience within everyone’s reach.
Santoku, Gabriel Suárez’s small yet ambitious project, continues its expansion across the capital with a new opening, Santoku La Barra, already generating significant buzz. A new location true to the same concept so that visiting Santoku…
…becomes ever easier!
SANTOKU 181
Address: Calle de Lope de Rueda, 6, 28009 Madrid
SANTOKU LA BARRA
Address: Calle de Lope de Rueda, 16, 28009 Madrid
Reservations: san-toku.es
Website: https://www.san-toku.es/
Average Price: €35
