Dubai : Akira Back Dubai, the Michelin Guide–recommended restaurant at W Dubai – The Palm, will host an exclusive dinner collaboration on January 15th, featuring Head Chef Giovanni Ledon in collaboration with President Chotaro Horii of Horii Shichimeien, one of Japan’s oldest and most respected tea producers and Haiya Tarik, founder of HAIYATEA. The event forms part of a landmark cultural and culinary series curated by luxury tea brand HAIYATEA, marking Horii Shichimeien’s first-ever visit to the Middle East.
Chef Giovanni Ledon, Head Chef of Akira Back, will host a one-night culinary journey of modern Japanese cuisine with President Chotaro Horii, Shunta San from Horii Shichimeien’s finest teas and Haiya Tarik, founder of HAIYATEA. This unique dining experience will feature a refined multi-course menu where tea is thoughtfully paired with each dish. Enjoy immersing experiences such as Gyokuro, one of Japan’s highest-grade green teas, served across cold, ice, and warm brews paired with dishes such as Kinmedai with tomato tosazu and Hokkaido scallop with gyo tori consommé.
This historic visit is a milestone for tea enthusiasts and the growing Japanese cultural community in the UAE. President Chotaro Horii, head of Horii Shichimeien, will travel from Uji, Japan to Dubai to personally share the philosophy, heritage and craftsmanship behind the brand, preparing and serving teas for guests at a series of curated events. Founded nearly two centuries ago, Horii Shichimeien is renowned for its heritage tea gardens, artisanal cultivation and dedication to quality.
The menu continues with sencha, a delicate Japanese green tea, paired with a vibrant uni and blood orange salad. This is followed by genmaicha-infused courses, including Sawara (Japanese Spanish mackerel) in a Jin An-style broth with local clams. A hojicha-inspired Wagyu striploin presents smoky, roasted tea notes with rich, melt-in-the-mouth beef. For dessert, guests can enjoy matcha camembert cheesecake with camel milk miso caramel. Matcha elements throughout the menu are served in handcrafted Asahiyaki bowls from Uji, letting guests experience the tea through vessels steeped in centuries of Japanese pottery tradition.
This collaborative dinner offers a rare opportunity to experience the artistry of Japanese tea and modern Japanese cuisine in one unforgettable evening.
Event Details:
Date: January 15th, 2026, 7:30PM and 9.30PM seatings
Location: Akira Back, W Dubai – The Palm
Pricing: AED 599 per person
Dinner inclusive of a can of ceremonial grade matcha
