The region’s number one bar launches a cocktail menu inspired by Hollywood’s first Japanese leading man. A creative homage to Sessue Hayakawa, the Golden Boy who redefined East–West cinema.
Dubai : Recognised as the number one bar in MENA, ranked number 40 on the World’s 50 Best Bars, and featured among the MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants, Mimi Kakushi continues to redefine the region’s cocktail scene with the launch of its new menu: Kintarō. The menu was created by Mimi Kakushi’s acclaimed bar team and curated under the creative direction of Manja Stankovic, Group Bar Manager at RIKAS Hospitality.
Kintarō takes its inspiration from the life and work of Sessue Hayakawa (Kintarō Hayakawa), the Japanese actor who rose to international fame during the silent film era of the early 1900s. A leading man in both the United States and Europe, Hayakawa embodied East meeting West in one person, an extraordinarily charismatic presence whose career captured the glamour, sophistication and decadence of the Roaring Twenties. His given name, Kintarō, translates as “Golden Boy” in Japanese folklore, making it the perfect title for a menu that fuses heritage with cinematic artistry.
The cocktails draw inspiration directly from Hayakawa’s silent films, with every drink dedicated to a role he brought to life on screen. Nara Nara is a striking martini encased in ice, inspired by his wartime espionage character caught between secrets and love. Tsuru-Nita, blending gin, yuzu and plum, reflects the tension of a prince torn between passion and duty in London’s high society. Ah-Kee, layered with rum, coffee and matcha, recalls the intrigue of a detective consumed by a struggle between justice and desire. In another example, Sessue played a gardener in San Francisco who sacrificed his happiness for honour, and from this story the team created Tamura, a cocktail infused with fresh greens, cucumber soda and matcha to evoke the flavours and atmosphere of a Japanese garden. Each drink is designed as both a flavour experience and a cinematic moment, transporting guests into the silent era.
The collection also includes an innovative non-alcoholic range crafted with the same refinement and complexity. The Zuru series introduces zero-proof cocktails such as Yuaku, a delicate balance of chamomile and peach, and Haka, a bold aperitivo that channels Hayakawa’s magnetic elegance. A dedicated line of mocktails takes inspiration from Tsuru Aoki, Hayakawa’s wife and an actress who was herself a pioneer of silent film, each one paying tribute to her poise and timeless artistry.
“With Kintarō, we wanted to create more than a cocktail list. It is a cinematic journey that honours Sessue Hayakawa’s legacy and celebrates the silent film era that made him a star, while showcasing the creativity and artistry of our bar team. Every drink tells a story, much like his films, and together they form an experience that connects East and West in the spirit of one remarkable man,” said the Mimi Kakushi bar team.
The Kintarō cocktail menu will be available to the public starting Friday, 19th September 2025 at Mimi Kakushi, Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah, Dubai.
