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Roku: A New Japanese Culinary Signature Overlooking Ha Long Bay

December brings a gentle chill to Ha Long, marking the moment when Roku, a Japanese dining destination set high above the bay, introduces a completely new evening experience overlooking the UNESCO listed seascape. Serving dinner and moments of quiet indulgence at the close of day, Roku is conceived as a journey of flavor, precision, and culturally resonant detail. From the rooftop, the glowing hues of sunset cascading across the bay offer a soft prelude to an evening rich with discovery.

The spirit of Roku is shaped by six traditional Japanese culinary techniques: Nukazuke, or fermentation and pickling; Mushimono, steaming; Yakimono, grilling; Agemono, frying; Nimono, simmering; and the refined art of sushi and sashimi. These time honored methods form the foundation of the entire menu, creating a seamless harmony between heritage depth and contemporary culinary inspiration. Each dish is presented with the characteristic Japanese sense of restraint, allowing the natural flavors of every ingredient to shine, from fresh seafood sourced from the bay to carefully selected elements brought directly from Japan.

For Roku, these six traditional techniques are not merely cooking methods but the soul of the restaurant itself. Each signature dish is treated as a distinct chapter, interpreting that spirit through its own narrative. Salmon and truffle tartare opens the journey through Nukazuke, where purity of ingredients and patience in technique create a flavor profile that is both clean and profound. Foie gras chawanmushi brings Mushimono into a contemporary context, silky and warm, representing a refined meeting between French richness and Japanese subtlety. Meanwhile, Ha Long seafood sashimi stands as a tribute to the surrounding waters, where each precise and pristine slice honors nature in its most elemental Japanese expression.

The journey continues with the gentle intensity of Yakimono through grilled Co To stone abalone, where open flame heightens the salinity of the sea and a seductive natural richness. Van Don tiger prawn tempura captures the essence of Agemono, light and crisp without heaviness. Wagyu beef shabu shabu brings the experience to a close with depth and comforting warmth, expressing the softness and balance of Japanese simmered cuisine. These dishes are not created merely to be enjoyed, but to articulate Roku’s philosophy of honoring heritage, celebrating craftsmanship, and creating moments that linger long after the meal ends.

Roku’s space tells a story of its own. Suspended from the ceiling, a sculptural bamboo dragon appears to move through the air, evoking the legend of the descending dragon that gave birth to Ha Long Bay. Light filtering through layers of woven bamboo creates a soft and atmospheric glow, allowing the restaurant to feel both contemporary and deeply rooted in Asian spirit. Below, Japanese architectural elements such as wooden panels, lattice patterns, and restrained spatial composition blend harmoniously with Vietnamese materials and tones, forming a refined dialogue between two cultures.

As night falls, the Roku experience shifts into a new emotional rhythm at Star Bar, where the sensory narrative continues in a different expression. Here, Japanese inspired cocktails are crafted with care, combining technique and creativity to deliver flavors that feel at once familiar and unexpected. The centerpiece of Star Bar is the Sake Library, a curated collection of rare sakes sourced from esteemed breweries across Japan. Each selection carries its own character, ideal for savoring on its own or paired with Roku’s culinary creations, opening additional layers of depth and enjoyment.

Roku transcends the idea of a conventional restaurant. It offers a moment to slow down, to sense the refinement of flavor and the cultural stories woven into every dish. The interplay between tradition and modernity, between restraint and intricacy, creates a seamless flow of experience, beginning with the colors of sunset and concluding in the quiet intimacy of night.

Roku is scheduled to open in late December 2025, serving dinner from Wednesday to Sunday, while Star Bar will be open daily. Reservation details will be announced soon via the website and official channels of InterContinental Halong Bay Resort.