This archive report was first published on 14 January 2020.
INTI: A Fusion of Japanese and Peruvian Flavors ¶
Located on the 21st floor of One Africa Place, INTI offers a unique dining experience that combines the best of Japanese and Peruvian cuisines. The restaurant's menu is vast and varied, with dishes inspired by Peruvian flavors and techniques.
According to the restaurant's head chef, Kinyo Klinger Rodas, Nikkei cuisine is a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian flavors that originated in the late 19th century when Japanese farmers migrated to Peru to work on its fields and plantations. The Japanese brought their culinary techniques to Peru, where they fused them with local Peruvian flavors, birthing Nikkei.
During our visit, we tried a variety of dishes, including the Peruvian Ceviche (KSh. 1,200), Ceviche Nikkei (KSh. 1,250), and Ceviche Al Veg (KSh. 1,200). We also tried the Acevichada Maki Roll (KSh. 1,250), A lo Pobre Roll (KSh. 1,200), and Philadelphia Roll (KSh. 1,350). The vegetarian option, the Truffle Roll (KSh. 1,250), was a colorful beet red delight paired with a tangy teriyaki sauce.
For our main course, we tried the Nikkei's Arroz Con Marisco (KSh. 2,300), which was a dish that revealed itself slowly and with every bite. It was made with shrimp, octopus, squid, and cheese and was served with rice. We also tried the Sakayanaki (KSh. 1,850), which was a dish that looked vegetarian but wasn't. The dish was topped with a skewed piece of fish that complemented the green base made of quinoa, spinach, and chimichurri sauce it sat on.
INTI is also a pisco bar, serving a variety of pisco cocktails, including the Pisco Sour (KSh. 800), Chicha Sour (KSh. 950), Hibiscus – Chilcano Infusions (KSh. 900), and the Pisco Granadilla (KSh. 950). If you try nothing else on the dessert menu, we urge you to try the Inka Gold, which comes with a 24 Karat gold chocolate ball and a spot of Pisco ice cream.
INTI's menu asks you to be brave and bold with your palate and rewards you for it by finding an exquisite balance between tangy, sour, and flavorful, spicy dishes.
