Coming Soon: Sokyo Is Opening a Brisbane Restaurant with "Sashimi Florist" Alex Yu at the Helm

Brisbanites will no longer need to visit Sydney for a luxe Japanese restaurant experience at fine-diner Sokyo. A favourite in the Harbour City for more than a decade, the culinary standout is finally branching out to the Sunshine State. Add a Brisbane outpost to the list of dining spots that the new Queen's Wharf precinct will boast — and it's a big list — when it starts to open in August 2024.

The Star Brisbane is one of the key parts of the long-in-the-works Queen's Wharf development, hence the move to expand Sokyo from The Star Sydney to its latest location. At The Star Gold Coast, Queensland already boasts fellow Japanese restaurant Kiyomi — a sibling eatery, if you like — but this will be the first time that the Sokyo brand has set up shop elsewhere.

If you haven't visited Sokyo down south, it heroes traditional cooking techniques and making dining a sumptuous feast for the senses. The restaurant's guiding principle: ritual meets art. The idea is to apply Japanese culinary practice to Australia, including using local produce — from Queensland, of course, at Sokyo Brisbane.

Leading the charge will be Sokyo Brisbane Executive Chef Alex Yu, who worked at Sokyo Sydney for eight years from 2014 and became renowned for his fish platters featuring floral arrangements — earning the nickname "sashimi florist" for his efforts. In 2022, he moved to Yugen Melbourne to take on that restaurant's Head Chef position. Now, he'll complete the east coast capital-city trifecta by coming to Brisbane to helm the new Sokyo.

In a space that'll seat 160, feature both a sushi bar and a circular private dining room, and has Hassell to think for its scroll- and timber screen-heavy Japanese restaurant decor, patrons can look forward to a range of Sokyo's famous dishes from its OG location making the jump to Brissie. Two such highlights from August, when Sokyo Brisbane opens its doors: spicy tuna with crispy rice, plus hiramasa kingfish with miso ceviche and crispy potato.

The rest of the menu will span everything from charcoal-grilled truffle-infused lobster to Queensland yellowfin tuna with sweet aioli, plus other options that go big on maitake mushrooms and ume plums. To wash them all down, sake, Japanese whisky, shochu cocktails, and tap and bottled beers from Japan will take pride of place on the drinks list. You'll also be able to sip wine, champagne and non-alcoholic beverages.

"To have the opportunity to share Sokyo's philosophy with Brisbane is truly a privilege," said Yu of his new role. "I have collaborated with the highly experienced culinary team to curate a menu that harmonises tradition with contemporary flair, paying homage to the fundamentals of Japanese cuisine whilst remaining ahead of the gastronomic curve."

"I'm excited to infuse the Sokyo menu with my artistic vision, drawing from my time in Sydney and Melbourne to deliver a cutting-edge dining experience tailored to Brisbane's discerning palate. Each element is meticulously considered, from the smallest measurement to the exact angle and temperature."

Across The Star Brisbane at Queen's Wharf, Sokyo will sit alongside the new Fat Noodle, the new LiveWire (which will now focus on late-night entertainment and live music), Italian restaurant Cucina Regina and, upstairs at the Sky Deck, also Aloria, Cicada Blu and Babblers.

Find Sokyo at The Star Brisbane, Queen's Wharf, Brisbane CBD from sometime in August 2024. Head to the venue's website for more information in the interim.