Koji Restaurant: Modern Asian in Wellington

Koji is a vibrant restaurant on Majoribanks Street, combining Asian cuisine and Aotearoa produce.

The menu comprises exciting dishes that mix traditional-style sauces with playful new ideas.

The dishes come in different sizes and are set up for sharing. “I like having the family table. Everyone sitting down and multiple plates on the table at a time and getting a mix. It gives a bit more interaction at the table and connection with each other,” says Koji co-owner and chef Johnon MacDonald. The sharing style also creates a more casual approach to traditional high-end dining.

Menu highlights include the (somewhat controversial) yellow curry beef doughnut with Japanese Kewpie mayonnaise and pickled daikon. The miso dengaku eggplant with pepita, puffed grains and nori is also a must-try.

2 customers eating at a table in Koji, lantern lights hang above them and a fern sits to their left.

In Japanese, the word ‘koji’ means to cultivate. All aspects of Koji are a labour of love for Johnon and co-owner Kat Strand. Having trained in Asian food for much of his career, the meals Johnon has created are an expression of the food he loves to eat.

To find their suppliers, the entire Koji team go on research trips. This is a way for them to connect with the suppliers directly, and get to know where their dishes come from.

The restaurant’s interior design, created by Kat, pairs perfectly with the menu. Warm woods and bright colours enhance the fun and vibrant atmosphere. Tucked at the bar or a booth, Koji feels like a place where people can relax and forget about the world outside.

A customer serving their plate of food at Koji.

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