The first European World of Nobu festival arrives in Shoreditch

The superstar chef will be in attendance for two days of fusion food and masterclasses on July 27-28

It is 20 years since Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, better known as Nobu, opened his first London restaurant and sent the capital black-cod crazy. In recent years the chef has expanded into hotels, and to celebrate his latest opening in Shoreditch he will be making a rare appearance there when it hosts the first European World of Nobu Festival on July 27-28. 

Nobu’s latest opening in Shoreditch will play host to the festival

Nobu has curated the two days of events alongside many of his other international executive chefs, who will also be flying in for the festivities. The highlight will be the 30-seat-only culinary masterclasses (£130, 1pm-3pm, July 27 and 28), when Matsuhisa and his protégés will demonstrate the secrets behind signature Nobu Japanese-Peruvian fusion dishes such as yellowtail jalapeno sashimi – and hopefully his business partner Robert De Niro’s favourite, the classic rock shrimp – with all knife skills shown in close-up on large screens. There will also be tastings of a range of sakes custom brewed exclusively for Nobu restaurants, led by Hokesetsu Brewery CEO Fumio Hazu.

Braised wagyu short rib with apple, truffle, dry miso and kohlrabi will be among the dishes for the seven-course Omakase Tasting Menu dinner (£190, 7pm on July 27, 100 seats only), which will be created by a host of Nobu chefs working under the leadership of Nobu corporate executive chef Thomas Buckley. Also making an appearance will be a Cornish crab salad with umami tomato gelee and tosaka crisp, scallops with nasu, foie gras and vanilla miso, and crispy rice with yellow and green tomato compote and black truffles. “Nobu has introduced a unique style of cuisine to so many different countries and I’m excited to see what all our different chefs plan to bring to this dinner,” says Buckley. 

Premium assorted sushi will be on the menu for the 30-seat-only culinary masterclass, £130 | Image: clairemenary.com

Finally, the Nobu Food Festival (£110, 7pm on July 28) will offer the ultimate fusion feast, serving up canapés and cocktails from 21 Nobu restaurants around the world, all overseen by the masutā himself.