Pufferfish delicacies await
If you’re the kind of diner who chases once-in-a-lifetime experiences, KIGO has just raised the bar. This February, the refined Japanese restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC is unveiling an exclusive nine-course fugu kaiseki menu, celebrating one of Japan’s most storied and tightly regulated delicacies.
Fugu – or pufferfish – is traditionally enjoyed during winter in Japan and is famed as much for its subtle flavour as for the discipline required to prepare it safely. At KIGO, the dish is treated not as a spectacle, but as a quiet, reverent expression of seasonality.
The menu is led by Head Chef Akinori “Aki” Tanigawa, one of the very few chefs in the region officially licensed to prepare fugu. In Japan, certification takes years of rigorous training under a master chef, with absolute precision and trust at its core.
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Each of the nine courses showcases a different part of the fish, using techniques designed to reveal its clean, delicate character rather than overpower it.
The star of the menu is wild-caught torafugu, the most prized variety of pufferfish, sourced in limited quantities from Japan. Unlike farmed fugu, wild torafugu depends entirely on ocean conditions, making its availability unpredictable and fleeting.
Its firm texture and deeper flavour reward careful handling – something KIGO approaches with meticulous attention to both safety and tradition.
Only 50 guests will be able to experience the Fugu Kaiseki Menu, reinforcing the idea of impermanence that runs through Japanese culinary philosophy. The menu is available from 1 to 28 February (excluding Tuesdays), with seatings at 6pm, 7pm and 9pm.
Reservations must be made at least one week in advance, due to the rarity of the ingredient and the careful sourcing involved.
Rooted in the philosophies of wa (harmony), kigo (seasonal expression) and mono no aware – the awareness of impermanence – KIGO’s fugu kaiseki is designed to be more than dinner. It’s a moment to pause, reflect and experience something that won’t come around again.
Image credit: Supplied
Curious, expressive, and always chasing new ideas, Zainab sees creativity as a way of life. She thrives on discovering new perspectives, connecting with people, and turning inspiration into something tangible. Her work and her world reflect a balance of intuition, imagination, and authenticity.
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