Osaka Arrives in Madrid: Nikkei Cuisine Expands with Purpose

The eagerly anticipated Osaka restaurant, part of the celebrated MCK Restaurants group, is set to open in one of Madrid’s most exclusive corridors — the border between the Salamanca and Chamberí neighborhoods. The opening represents not merely a local milestone but the opening salvo of an ambitious global expansion. In an exclusive interview, co-founder and owner Diego de la Puente shared compelling details about the culinary vision and the striking design of the new establishment.

The choice of Paseo de la Castellana as the address is no accident. It is a landmark avenue where Nikkei cuisine — the singular fusion of Peruvian and Japanese flavors — is poised to captivate Madrid’s most discerning diners. Seating 125 guests, Osaka Madrid aligns with an international rollout that will extend simultaneously to Chicago and Dubai in the months ahead.

The restaurant’s design, conceived by architect Ariel Chemi, places the guest experience at its center — quite literally, with an open kitchen as the focal point. The innovative exposed kitchen will allow diners to witness a genuine culinary spectacle as each dish takes shape before them. “The idea is that you walk into an Osaka and are transported to Peru,” says Diego, underscoring the immersive sensibility that will define the space.

A Culinary Proposition in Evolution: Flavors That Defy Borders

On the gastronomic front, the brand is committed to engaging local ingredients, weaving Mediterranean produce into Osaka’s classic repertoire. “We will play with Iberian flavors,” explains de la Puente. Among the dishes already generating anticipation are the celebrated tiradito carpassion and the exclusive Balsamic Truffle — a grilled loin accompanied by mushrooms, truffle oil, and miso purée. The menu will rotate every three to four months, ensuring a constant current of freshness and invention.

The bar promises to be an essential draw in its own right. Upon entering, guests will encounter a dedicated Nikkei cocktail bar offering singular creations such as the Sakura, a tribute to the Japanese cherry blossom. The beloved Aka Sour — built on Intipalka Acholado, cardamom syrup, and fresh lime — will further cement the brand’s authority in the mixology arena.

The Madrid opening is scheduled for late August, with an official inauguration expected in September — precisely when the city returns from summer recess and reclaims its full cultural energy, an ideal moment to introduce a new gastronomic experience of this caliber.

The expansion of Osaka into international markets continues apace. The Chicago and Dubai locations are on track for late 2025 and October or November, respectively, each tailored to its local palate. Through this growth, de la Puente is unequivocal about his ambition: to establish Osaka as one of the world’s preeminent Nikkei cuisine brands.

Osaka’s arrival in Madrid will do more than elevate the city’s already formidable culinary landscape — it will create a space where culture and flavor converge in an experience that is genuinely without precedent on the Spanish capital’s dining scene. This opening will mark a before and after in Madrid’s gastronomic story.