Haku Vodka Special Set Menu at ORA

Overview

If you're on the hunt for an elevated dining experience but the cost of living crisis has you counting your pennies, venues like  ŌRA Omakase restaurant in Waterloo are delivering delicious eats without the usual price tag.

Crafted by executive chef Nobuyuki Ura, ŌRA is serving its limited-edition tasting menu inspired by Haku Vodka, a craft spirit from the House of Suntory, during the month of August for only $110.

Where's This Special Offer Available?

The special menu is being served at ŌRA, an expansive omakase restaurant in a refurbished warehouse in the suburb of Waterloo. The usual omakase experience is $250, but this special Haku Vodka-inspired menu will get you in the door for less than half of that and it includes a bespoke Haku martini.

ŌRA's culinary offerings are spearheaded by executive chef Nobuyuki Ura. Omakase, which means "leave it up to you," is one part theatre, one part culinary masterpiece and all parts delicious. At ŌRA, Chef Ura serves up his epicurean performance at the 10-seater marble Chef's Counter.

We previously sat down with Chef Ura to discuss his processes and philosophies. "The most important thing is to execute each dish without compromise," says Ura. "I make each item with all my heart. I avoid talking too much unless the customer asks me a question so I can focus. I believe in allowing them to be immersed in the food but I have spent many years cooking for different types of people across all walks of life so I am comfortable entertaining when necessary. Some are nervous at first but, by the time they leave, everyone is smiling."

What's on the Special Menu?

The special set menu includes five courses. Starting off strong with the zensai (appetiser) course, which includes charcoal-grilled koji ocean trout, spanner crab chawanmushi (a Japanese egg custard) with ginko nuts, mitsuba, ikura (salmon roe) and truffle and a fresh oyster topped with shiso granita.

The second course features a pan-fried WA lobster with luscious Haku Vodka-infused kombu butter served with a micro mixed leaf salad for a touch of freshness. Following this is the sushi course with the chef's selection of nigiri and sushi rolls. The main dish is wagyu steak, sweet truffle sauce and bok choy, then the meal finishes strong with a palate-refreshing zesty yuzu cheesecake and sakura mochi ice cream — equal parts sweet and floral but always in balance.

What's the Special Martini?

It wouldn't be a Haku Vodka-inspired menu without an elevated cocktail. The signature serve for Haku Vodka is a martini. As part of this brand collaboration, ŌRA's bar manager, Basile Jourdan, has crafted a bespoke martini that complements the special tasting menu and celebrates the Japanese spirit. It is a delicate blend of Haku Vodka, White Lillet, clarified citrus and Tantakatan soshu-infused Italicus.

It brings together elements from Jourdan's French sensibilities and Japanese ingredients, such as the shiso herb from the Hokkaido prefecture. The resulting martini has a floral and citrus aroma and clean, crisp flavour with a touch of sweetness thanks to the white wine-infused fruits and herbs in the White Lillet. It cuts through the richness of the Haku Vodka-infused kombu butter and wagyu steak dishes without overpowering the more delicate Zensai and sushi courses.

What's Haku Vodka?

Haku Vodka is a Japanese craft spirit made entirely from Japanese white rice. It boasts a soft, rounded and subtly sweet flavour profile. Named 'Haku', which translates to white' and brilliant' in Japanese, this vodka exemplifies the artistry involved in creating a clear, clean-tasting spirit. Filtered through bamboo charcoal, Haku Vodka serves as the ideal foundation for ŌRA's team to explore a symphony of flavours, textures, and aromas.

How to Nab a Spot?

In order to sample this delectable menu at ŌRA, you must make a reservation on the website. The menu is only available until the end of August. Each reservation includes the five dishes plus a complimentary martini and will set you back $110.

The ŌRA x Haku Vodka set menu is available until the end of August. Make your reservation on the website.

Haku Vodka's signature serve is the Haku martini — a drink that showcases the craftsmanship, nuanced flavour and exceptional quality of the premium Japanese liquid. To learn more, head to the House of Suntory website.

Image Credit: Brooke Zotti