Papi Katsu
125 St Georges Terrace, Perth
@papi.katsu
After 4 years within the works, it’s lastly time to take a look at Papi Katsu — Perth CBD’s new, rule-breaking Japanese restaurant from the meticulous Sesh Mafia crew, the place it’s all about having an excellent time.
Sesh Mafia’s Ben Tua, Chase Weber, Leigh Energy, and Eoin Kenny, together with Venue Supervisor Chrissie Lam (from Si Paradiso, Servo) and Bar Supervisor Mario Rizzo (El Grotto, Lengthy Chim, Shui), are opening this underground Yakuza-inspired den on Could 30.
“Papi Katsu is like nothing we’ve completed earlier than. We’ve all been within the business for years, and now we simply wish to have a little bit of enjoyable,” says Tua. “The cheeky title, unimaginable menu, cyberpunk vibes, and top-notch service… we’re making a spot the place it’s all about having fun with your self, irrespective of the event.”
Culinary Director Chase Weber is shaking up conventional Japanese delicacies along with his personal spin on the generally flashy dishes. Backed by Sesh Mafia’s long-time chef Leigh Energy (Shui), the share-style menu highlights native, seasonal substances, with an enormous deal with contemporary Aussie seafood sourced from native fishmongers every morning.
 
The ‘snacks’ and ‘uncooked’ menu options every day sashimi plates, prawn katsu open sandwiches, a variety of temaki, and native yabbies poached and served with milk bread (Weber’s twist on the basic yabby and pikelets).
For larger bites meant to share, there’s saikyo miso glazed toothfish with shark bay clam, ikura, and roasted fish bone beurre monté; roasted duck breast with maitake mushrooms and mandarin oil; and a $750, one-kilogram steak of top-tier A5 Japanese wagyu beef cooked over charcoal yakitori. Diners may pre-order huge quantities of caviar, entire roasted duck, and large lobster when reserving, to take the expertise up a notch.
Esteemed hospitality design agency SOMA has turned the huge, windowless area right into a mysterious 120-seater eating room, bringing the vitality and vibe of Japanese cyberpunk to the underground spot with flashes of neon pink and blue, mimicking the brilliant lights of Tokyo.
“Papi Katsu is like nothing we’ve completed earlier than. We’ve all been within the business for years, and now we simply wish to have a little bit of enjoyable,” says Tua. “The cheeky title, unimaginable menu, cyberpunk vibes, and top-notch service… we’re making a spot the place it’s all about having fun with your self, irrespective of the event.”
Every part’s been custom-made for Papi Katsu, from the timber tables and seats to the distinctive lighting, fixtures, and murals within the three 20-person secret non-public eating rooms. In the back of the restaurant, a putting 4.5-meter timber Omakase desk presents an up-close take a look at the cooks getting ready a high-end hybrid omakase menu, set to drop within the coming months.
Behind the bar, count on a drinks menu impressed by the clear and exact nature of Japanese service and tradition, created by Sesh Mafia’s grasp mixologist, Head of Operations, and Beverage Coordinator Eoin Kenny.
They’ll be serving up devoted Highball and Martini menus with clear block ice and ice carving, plus a decent collection of Japanese lagers on faucet, native wines, and a 25-strong sake checklist.
An extended-term labour of blood, sweat, and panko breadcrumbs, Papi Katsu fills the hole in Brookfield Place and Perth as a complete — providing a high-end Japanese eating expertise that’s all about nice service, flowing sake, and the freshest seafood round, with out taking itself too significantly.
