Yanai Gili Air

Japanese restaurant Yanai showcases inventive sushi art in a relaxed island vibe. It has that unmistakable essence of what makes Japanese food and sushi in particular so unique. It’s a premium experience, helmed by skilled artisans of Japanese cuisine, where presentation and the overall ambiance set it apart in Gili Air.

One distinctive aspect at Yanai is its design and layout. It is made of bamboo and cement but eschews the usual bright, design aesthetic you often encounter in typical Japanese and casual sushi eateries. It has a darker ambience that gives it a more intimate atmosphere, complemented with soft lighting. It implements many interesting local design elements, but it’s very much authentically Japanese.

The interior dining space is centered around a long table that inspires casual, social eating all together. There is also a smaller table seating six, perfect for a private dining experience for a small group of family or friends. Additionally, a cosy lounge area looks out onto the street. Yanai also caters to small scale gatherings and celebrations.

There are two fully equipped open kitchens, putting diners right at the heart of the culinary process in typical Japanese fashion. There is a hot kitchen for ramen, tempura, katsu and more, plus a dedicated sushi kitchen. It also houses a well-stocked bar for beer, wines and a selection of sake. Yanai also serves Japanese signature cocktails with a tropical twist.

It is pretty evident the restaurant pays close attention to every possible detail and not just in its overall design or food presentation. This extends to every single menu which is intricately hand-painted while all dinner service tableware is handpicked and comes direct from Tokyo. This includes the Ramen bowls and even soy sauce dishes.

Ingredients such as miso and some of the fish come directly from Japan, while the wasabi is fresh from Java. A favorite on the menu is the Chirashi, while there are many diverse options, from the vegetarian sushi platter miso ramen and the black angus striploin katsu.

There is something for every sushi aficionado, with salmon, tuna and scallop Ngiri, Sashimi rolls and Maki. Tasty starters range from sautéed edamame and cold soba noodles and is nothing quite like a matcha cake to round it off. For something extra special Yanai offers a multiple course set menu with sake pairing and matcha ceremony.