Kokoro’s Japanese handroll bar lands in Dubai Mall this January

Kokoro is bringing its calm, craft-driven Japanese handroll bar to Dubai Mall in January 2026. FYTE Hospitality’s next chapter keeps things simple: good sushi, fresh ingredients, and a space that slows you down a bit. The new venue takes the brand’s focus on precision and human connection and tightens it into an intimate counter experience shaped around sincerity rather than spectacle.

The Dubai Mall location marks a refined continuation of FYTE Hospitality’s handroll concept. The team has kept the character of the original idea but shaped it for a busier, more high-traffic environment.

• Opening January 2026
• Premium-casual, alcohol-free dining
• Focus on handrolls, sushi, sashimi, and seasonal dishes
• Limited seating to keep things personal

Kokoro isn’t trying to overwhelm. The brand sticks to fresh ingredients and minimal intervention, letting the counter experience do most of the talking. Guests sit close to the action, watching chefs work with the kind of steady focus that Japanese cooking is known for.

A space designed for calm

Inside, Kokoro takes a softer approach than most mall restaurants. The design aims to act as a small pause within the energy of Dubai Mall.

• Minimal, warm interior
• Plaster walls and oak wood
• Brushed nickel accents and soft lighting
• A counter-first layout

It’s not flashy. Instead, the space leans into clarity and warmth, with materials chosen to support a slower pace. The counter anchors the room and sets the tone: conversation with the chef is part of the meal, not an optional extra.

A menu built on balance

Kokoro’s menu keeps things intentionally narrow. Fresh ingredients get centre stage, and the chefs avoid overworking them.

• Handrolls crafted to order
• Sushi and sashimi with clean, direct flavours
• Seasonal dishes based on Japanese technique
• No unnecessary sauces or decorative extras

The idea is simple: let the fish, rice, and seaweed speak for themselves. Everything is prepared with precision but without showmanship. It fits FYTE Hospitality’s view that good food doesn’t need to shout.

A community-minded dining concept

Although the space is minimal, Kokoro aims to feel warm and human. The experience is shaped around sincerity, consistency, and genuine interaction.

• Chef-guest connection is part of the service
• Dining pace is intentionally slower
• Focus on approachability rather than luxury
• Built on the brand’s community values

This tone matches FYTE Hospitality’s philosophy of premium-casual dining—good craft without the pressure of formality.

Opening details

• Restaurant: Kokoro Dubai Mall
• Opening: January 2026
• Location: Dubai Mall
• Instagram: @kokoro.dxb
• Website: https://eatkokoro.xyz/

Seating will be limited, which should help Kokoro keep the close-knit feel of the original concept even inside one of the world’s busiest malls.

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