Tapas Molecular Bar

Tapas Molecular bar is not a typical restaurant, it’s a 6-person dining experience guided by a chef preparing everything right in front of you. The creativity of the menu was fantastic, as is the chefs level of knowledge and technical skills when crafting food. Incredibly passionate which was great to see. The food looked absolutely incredible and clearly involved a lot of thought, planning preparation and execution. It was very theatrical, so if you enjoy this kind of thing, you’ll love it. However, often with theatrics there is always a compromise on taste, and sadly this was the case, as is common with many high-end restaurants where chefs are too focused on how things look or doing things boldly. It was also hard to enjoy the evening, as there was very little opportunity to actually connect with your dining partner as the chef has your attention always. When I left to the bathroom, they did not wait for me to return which was very disappointing. There were no vegetarian alternatives, which was disappointing. It’s an interesting way to dine and I appreciate the passion and attention to detail in everything, but holistically it was not an enjoyable experience for me.

Tapas Molecular Bar is not a banal place to eat. It's an exclusively gourmet cuisine experience, it's a theater of food where the chef creates food miracles in front of you and allows to participate, sitting right in the "front row". It's a food journey with the chef's personal stories that allow you to dream, wander into the unknown and laugh. It's one of the best gourmet experiences that I would like to repeat again and again. Delicious, interesting, engaging.

This one Michelin star is located on the 30th floor of The Mandarin Oriental hotel it is located in the Oriental bar which serves food and cocktails and it’s a chefs table of usually eight or nine seats. Chef Kenso from Canada but Japanese ethnic origin and the quite spectacular theatrical component tothe presentation, it was a 10 course meal based on a cartoon book with Chef Kenzo explaining the dishes. Some dishes were excellent such as the main of wagyu beef, the remains of the carrot, the crab and coffee the truffle foie grae. We did not enjoy the dish off The fish, blend dry fishy and on the chewy side Alot of liquid nitrogen used to freeze food quite interesting concept as well as some blow torching of fish.All in all an entertaining dining with maybe a bit too much chest beating on the chefs part. Service was prompt as chefs tables. Drinks took sometime especially the cocktails of martini and negroni.

I am not a fan of these sort of dinners, but my sister is, so I went along trying to keep an open mind. We were one of the last dinners for the Tapas x Spice Lab collaboration. I will say first off the atmosphere of the Mandarin is very stuffy. The people who go there act like they are better than everyone else. The actual dinner sort of takes place in an open area where other patrons sit around drinking/eating, it's not very intimate. That being said the view is really nice. First off I think you are paying for all the hard work these chefs do, there are a LOT of courses, I believe 10? So you are definitely full by the end of it. The beginning the courses didn't wow me, but throughout the night they did get better. The evening did seem very rushed and that is my one issue. We paid 37950 yen (so with the low yen it was $245 which is fine I wouldn't pay more than $300 for this), drinks are not included. The alcohol pairing was half the price of the menu, yikes. I do not drink so the non alcoholic pairing cost less, and I have to say incredible job on the drinks, bartender really made unique flavor pairings. One of the dishes also had alcohol, and was luckily omitted from my dish (sauce was made non alcoholic) and it tasted good. I don't think I would return to Tapas, but was nice getting an introduction to Spice Lab and would definitely return to that restaurant in the future.

Hands down the best meal experience my wife and I have ever had. Visited in July 2023 for “greatest hits” menu. Can’t recommend enough!

Booked this as my last dinner in Japan and it did not disappoint. The views from the lounge are stunning. The staff were very friendly and attentive, and the chef was a wonderful host. The food was small in portion, but packed big flavors. I was full by the time I left.

being a designer this dinner experience fulfilled myself from the drawings, the food representing the drawings and then the chef narrating the whole story was a trip using all the senses and very unique! love every stop of this amazing experience

Greatest dining experience I’ve ever had !! The story telling / the food was perfect, great views from the top of Mandarin Oriental Hotel as well. Just remember the Elegant Casual dress code

Wow uhm don't even know where to begin, but I will try. This was truly worthy of the word experience. This gastronomy tasting takes place in the lobby of the Mandarin Orientals 20 something floor so you always have a view when you look around which I really appreciated. The seating is very intimate l, around 8 raised seats around a central bar/working area for the chefs so you can always see what's going on. Chef Kenton and his sous chef were so so hospitable and welcoming. They made the whole evening such an adventure, teaching us a lot about the food along the way. The dinner was first and foremost visually stunning. I was amazed by how specific textures and appearances were achieved. And Ofcourse every time there was smoke, it was my favorite! Lol. All the courses were delicious and very fun to discover the new tastes. My favorite would have to be the duck and the buttons! Not sure if we will have the opportunity to do this again but so glad to have experienced this in Tokyo during our first time in Japan. Much love from Houston!

Dinner and a show. That's what this once-in-a-lifetime, Michelin-starred experience really is (although the couple seated next to me had been there before so maybe it's a once-every-couple-years thing). Situated in the lounge at the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, this culinary tour de force unfolds over roughly two hours. The menu apparently changes once in a while but on the night I visited, they were doing a sort of around the world themed thing with an emphasis on Asian cuisines. Each dish was a clever twist on some existing food, presented by the chefs who also act as guides through the journey. They will use novel ingredients and cooking techniques, torches, dried ice, and sometimes even slight of hand to amuse and delight the eight or so guests seated around the bar, some of whom will have opted for the wine pairing menu and will be blissfully buzzed and clapping by the end. If you're looking for something delicious and unique in a gorgeous setting with the finest service, this is a good bet.

This meal was a highlight during my most recent Tokyo trip. Being able to be in such a small setting (I believe each seating only has 8 people max) really made this interactive and so much more fun than a traditional tasting menu. Chef Kento and his sous chef worked together so well. At the start of the meal, we were informed Chef had reworked the menu and it had just changed the day before. The new menu was a taste around the world with fusion and molecular gastronomy. Out of the 11 courses, there wasn't a course I didn't enjoy. However, if I had to pick favorites I'd list the lobster bourbognon, the caviar donut, the nitrogen cocktail and the torte. The chai tea was a fun ending (no spoilers here!). My husband wasn't a fan of the bikini but he also doesn't like cheese. We had a truly incredible experience. Even my husband, who was complaining about the two hour dinner time, enjoyed the meal and intimate experience with the chef. If you are staying at the Mandarin Oriental, you can contact the concierge to book this before the online booking is available. Also, make sure to sign up for Friends of MO, we were give the option of a complimentary coffee, tea or whiskey to end the meal.

Tapas Molecular bar is located in the high end mandarin hotel . This is by far the most engaging dinner I've been to. Their theme is to create a dish based on the artisric interpretation of the story utilizing gastronomy and local Japanese ingredients. After many hour of preparation , they created their own soft boiled egg, created their own chocolate , listening to the crackles of darkness, and witness the evolution of a catipillar to a butterfly with food . This is art. Their menu would change every 6 months to be able to continue their story. Check out my instagram post https://www.instagram.com/p/C1FDmimxLOJ/?img_index=1 Instagram: @overdarainbow123

Wow!!! Gone are the kitschy tricks like the tool box and the edible cigar, now Tapas Molecular Bar is a world class dining destination. Closed for 18 months during the Pandemic, the chef has redone the menu and totally upgraded everything from the ingredients to the cooking techniques. This is now on par with in any two-star Michelin restaurant in Tokyo.

This was my first gastronomy dinner. It did not disappoint. I hesitate to mention details since it sounds like they are constantly adapting their menu, including this one. However, i found both the chefs' enthusiasm for food refreshing and their fun take on deconstructing traditional dishes and making them new. One example was their spin on the dessert rocky road. Not just the dessert, but the savory dishes involved nitrogen to make them cold. Also, the mandarin doesn't disappoint when it comes to cocktails. A nice way to end a trip! and the views of Tokyo are phenomenal.

This meal deserves to be 10 out of 5 stars as I feel that I need to make an immediate return. All ingredients tasted fresh and really highlighted the superior level of skill required to make them all taste their best. No two dishes tasted similar which I enjoyed and transitioned smoothly from one to the next. Each dish was prepped in front of us and was provided great information and how to best approach and enjoy the dish. I find it rare that the chef interacts with the guests but we had the full service from the very beginning to the very end which made the meal feel that much more intimate and down to earth. With that being said, there wasn't anything I ate that felt just ok as everything was just out of this world.

Amazing!! Tapas Molecular Bar now stands as my favorite restaurant and dining experience. The food was excellent, but it was Chef Ngan Ping Chow's performance that blew us away. We were fully engaged the entire seating, and also got to know the other guests there with us. Each dish was served with a story and show, completely captivating us. Yes, the food was good, but it's the commentary that will help us remember each dish. I want to go into more detail, but I think it will ruin the experience and surprises. If it's within your means, just go ahead and try it! You definitely won't regret a thing! Info: There are 2 time slots each night, with 8 seats available. Reservations had to be made a couple months in advance. The price was about $280 USD per person. The menu changes each season. It is located in The Mandarin Oriental. The reservation process via email was fairly straightforward. We received responses within 24 hours and did not run into any problems. I will definitely come back here the next time I'm in Japan, I'm sure we will have another awesome experience.

Wow - this meal is amazing! It's not just dining, it's an entire experience. With only 8 seats, the chef is able to interact with all guests and explain his creations and the ingredients. Each dish is exquisitely plated - the food is truly an art. It's also absolutely delicious - I think the sushi roll and lobster dish were my favorite! The menu is set but Molecular Bar is very accommodating to allergies. You receive very personalized service as well. The experience is pricey, for sure. But you certainly get your monies worth. In fact, I think they served too much food. I couldn't possibly finish every plate! This is a fine dining experience that you should definitely try at least once in your lifetime. The views from the bar are great - and the bathroom view is excellent as well. Overall, a top notch experience! Reservations are necessary.

This meal was quite enjoyable! The Mandarin Hotel is beautiful! So if you aren't staying there, this is a good way to experience it! I'd recommend coming early for a drink with a view! Every dish has a wow factor that you just don't see at most Michelin star restaurants! It feels like you are part of a magic show of sorts. Chef Ping Chow was interactive throughout the entire meal. He explained everything, and I loved that aspect. Learning about the dishes, ingredients, and the inspiration behind them was an added bonus. We definitely left satisfied!

4.5 stars This place is such a fun, interactive experience centered around molecular gastronomy. Some of the dishes were good but some of the dishes didn't taste as good as they looked. The menu changes with the seasons. The utensils came in a toolbox and each dish incorporated something from this toolbox: tweezers, hammer, spear, saw, etc. The chef and his assistants were well trained, funny, and were very open about answering any questions.

This restaurant is easily the best restaurant I have ever eaten in. From the start, you get personal attention from the chef. He explains every dish in detail and glad to explain any questions you have. With every dish, there is always a surprise. For example, an egg will have pumpkin purée inside instead of running yolk. Even the menu is in a measurement tape. If you are into unique and good food, this place is a must. I had dinner with wine pairing and with every dish, the wine complemented 100%.

Wish I had more photos to share of the meal but so much of the menu/items were interactive in some way that we ended up choosing to capture most of it via video instead. Alas, you'll just have to go yourself to experience vs scoping out in photos on yelp. I can assure you though that it'll be a good experience - both fun and tasty! The tasting menu is diverse and each guest has a tool box with mini items you'll use to eat various dishes. It is a little silly, since a fork knife spoon combo probably works fine- but it's something different and I'll admit I enjoyed breaking stuff apart with the mini hammer. The chef is a good host, and talks through the inspiration or ingredients behind each dish with enthusiasm (speaks English, canto at a min and I assume Japanese- he's from HK). I liked nearly all of the dishes (only things I didn't care much for was 1) the mini soufflé - but it was super fun to watch get made, and 2) the lobster Benedict- the way he chose to do the hollandaise was supposedly healthier for you but honestly it was a weird texture). My fav was the goulash surprisingly and his fancy version of the California roll. Overall a good experience and I'd recommend if you want a break from the more traditional sushi and wagyu that so many of us consume when in Japan. The mandarin hotel has a great view too - though FYI you don't face the view sadly from your seat at the bar for the meal. You can come early and grab tea/coffee or a drink but beware the prices are stupid (high like the floor you're on).

Insane experience! Chef Ping is a master of molecular gastronomy and definitely pushes the envelope for culinary experiences! Nothing is what you expect and the flavour profiles are out of this world. Without going into precise detail as to each of the 14 courses (the menu was so long it had to be put on a measuring tape!), The meal will take you through a journey of nostalgia and culinary delights that excites both the mind and your taste buds. With only 6 diners at the time we dined (max of 8), there are 2 seatings per night with each seating roughly 3 hours. Consider it not only dinner, but dinner and a show! Final bill with tax and tip came to about 50K yen for 2, but completely worth the experience! Book well in advance as it fills up quick! Lastly, after the meal, feel free to grab a pre or post dinner drink in the surrounding bars at the Mandarin Oriental. You get an amazing view of Tokyo's skyline! If you're going to indulge in a non-sushi meal in Tokyo, highly recommend this place.

5 stars for an amazing reason Reservation only - 2 seatings (6pm and 830pm I believe) - 8 seats each seating Chef explains the menu as you go along 14 courses - each is uniquely different All I can say is that the wine pairings were spot on, each course was memorable, interactive, and delicious without anything else. Would absolutely come again. The menu changes depending upon the season/what is fresh, which excites me for the next time I go An absolute must. Make this the last night before you leave from Tokyo

This was such a fun experience!!! There's a certain time period before the date you wish to dine when you can make reservations, so I contacted them via email to make the reservation. A friend recommended this place but other than he enjoyed it, my husband and I didn't know much about the experience and didn't have any expectations. The restaurant is really just a bar where the chef will cook and personally serve each dish. The counter seated about only 8 of us, and there were 7 in our party that night. This made for a really personal experience; the chef was able to explain each and every dish and what went into its preparation, where the ingredients were sourced, and answered any questions we had throughout the meal. We chose the mocktails pairing because the drinks sounded so interesting and we were curious as to how they would enhance the food. At each seat was a toolbox, and inside the toolbox were "tools" that will be used for specific dishes. One of the tools was a measuring tape, which had our entire menu listed out. Some of the dishes we had: 1. "Sushi:" one was tuna, the second was a play on a Waldorf salad with chicken, and the last was a play on ikura, but instead of roe they were actually made from egg yolk. 2. Savory tart that looked like a little patch of lawn and the hammer was used to break the crispy shell. 3. "Cigar:" looks like a cigar, complete with ash, but it was actually pork rolled into a crisp shell, served with hoisin sauce 4. Uni with lobster served in a lobster broth 5. "Egg:" for this one, chef asked us which animal lays a perfectly round egg? We couldn't get the answer so he told us it's not an egg at all, but the egg white is made of tofu and the yolk inside is made of pumpkin! 6. Crab cake 7. Duck pizza with foie gras on top 8. Smoked lamb 9. Kobe beef, grilled and served with a bone marrow broth 10. "Sausage and egg:" actually strawberry cheesecake and a pudding 11. Muesli ice cream 12. Like a frozen chocolate lava cake 13. Strawberries: one was real and the other fake! 14. Chocolate mint that made you blow smoke due to the dry ice! I never realized how much work, preparation, and attention to detail goes into fine dining until I came here. Each dish was so creative and presented beautifully. The food was really good and although we've dined at better tasting restaurants, the experience is really what you're coming here for. It was so interactive, chef was entertaining and informative, and because there were only 7 of us, it felt like a personal dinner party. He even answered my question as to why fruit tastes so much better in Asia than the states! Not a meal I could afford often, but definitely worth trying once, maybe even twice!

I didn't take a photo of every single dish that came out, but just a few of the prettier ones I liked. I was getting more misses than hits with food in Tokyo early on in my trip. I am so happy my group booked this place. It was a new experience for me and I loved every single item that came out. Kento was amazing, patient and a genius with food. If I return to Tokyo, I will definitely come back to the Molecular Bar. He also gave us some great suggestions for eats. Believe it or not, Yoshinoya for breakfast was spot on.

The 2 star is for the process in making a reservation. I went ahead and tried to secure a reservation directly from the restaurant (through email provided on their website). I got an email response saying I couldn't book 2 months in advance. But if I am staying at the Mandarin Oriental then yes I can make a reservation. I waited till 1.5 months ahead and asked my Tokyo hotel concierge to see if they can make a reservation for me. I provided 4 dates and I was open with either the 6:30 or 8:30 seating. Got an email back saying nothing was available. At this point, white flag.

You must be kidding me. I'm limited to 5 stars. This was a life experience. The staff was great and the food was a marvel. Complete fun without being severe or conservative. Great imagination went into each presentation and nothing came up short. The quality and art of each bit was fantastic. You have the great view to couple your wonderful experience. The wine list was top notch as well. Ruins me for the next Michelin level joint, but I'll keep trying.

Fresh off a one star Michelin rating, Tapas Molecular Bar is a hard ticket to secure with only eight seatings per meal (two times a night). But, if you're able to get a reservation exactly two months prior to the date, you will be in for a treat. I won't ruin all the surprises, but the theme not only involves just molecular gastronomy techniques, but an interactive dinner with all the diners. Our chef for the evening, Kento, was personable, charming, and able to explain each dish in both English and Japanese. You realize how passionate he is about food by the way he talks about it and how excited he got. He was great about answering all our questions including local dining tips and gave us fun food facts throughout the evening. There are 3-4 different menu changes throughout the year so our menu may be completely different than the diners' in the next few months. Our measuring tape menu listed out our 14-course menu as follows: 1. Chest nut with mannitol sugar walnut shell, foie gras, chestnut cream, and dried fig (loved the sweet and savory contrast) 2. Lollipop featuring pork shank, apple, onion, and cotton candy dissolved with apple spray 3. Ceviche with umibudo (sea grapes), iceplant, yuzu dressing, tuna, and scallop 4. Cigar constructed from duck leg confit, cucumber, onion, with ash made of tapioca and sesame and Hoison sauce (a crowd favorite) 5. Cappuccino with dried mushrooms, chix consomme, and malto sugar cube made from an espresso machine 6. Lobster roll (one of my favorites) with lobster, hollandaise, olive oil caviar, brioche, and herbs 7. Curry - persimmon, micro curry, over lamb 8. Grouper with black pepper sauce, oyster leaf, and garnish 9. Chicken parmesan deconstructed with jelly pasta, parmesan crisp, chicken, and tomato 10. Cottage pie (my favorite of the 14) with wagyu sirloin, sukiyaki, potato beef, "soil," and herbs 11. Rocky road, truffle ice, marshmallow, nuts, oreo, pachi pachi, nitro almond dissolved with chocolate sauce over a sugar disc (very fun and visually like an erupting volcano!) 12. Pumpkin pie tart from liquid nitrogen (right on time for Thanksgiving) 13. Rum & raisin with a solid and liquid version (one with a Kyoto grape sparkling and the other a grape rum) 14. Lastly, after eight is a chocolate mint meringue frozen in liquid nitrogen to give a fun visual effect of breathing smoke/fire Dinner was fun, creative, and one of the biggest highlights of our Tokyo trip. A Michelin-starred restaurant with a 14-course prix fixe is a steal at around $200. On top of it all, Tapas is located at the top of the Mandarin Oriental, which itself has two other Michelin rated restaurant in Sense and Signature. You know it's a fancy hotel when there's a cushioned seat in the elevator. Be sure to not only take in the breathtaking views of the city at night, but also to visit the (mens) restroom where you can take a leak with a full view of the skyline.

Just had what might be my favorite meal ever. And that is saying a lot. I am a foodie. It was not only great food.. but an amazing show. Food art is the best way to describe it. Well worth the cost. And it was expensive. Almost $500. But if you want a serious food experience.. this is it.

Celebrated my birthday at Tapas Molecular in January, we had a great time with the chef Kenzo, he is "Mad Scientist " is a great way!! And yes,he is very passionate about food, creating wonderous ways of presenting and feeding people foods that may not be what it seems to be! Pleasant and fun surprises along the way of the 16 courses. Best of all, we really just had the best night of our 10 day stay in Tokyo. Thank you Chef Kenzo for a delightful evening!! Hope to be back!!

Top marks here for creativity and service. Great chef and staff at the restaurant. Some of the bites were otherworldly and some of them were just ok. If we could give half stars out, I would. In all a great experience and would defn. Consider adding to your itinerary in Tokyo.

Such a cool place! We dined at the chef's counter and had the tasting menu. Unreal food and exciting, unique experience!

The chefs were very friendly and the meal was inventive. However, there were a few issues. The way in which ingredients were presented was fun and interesting but many of the components were not as fresh as they could have been (the toro in the macaron, for example, was VERY fishy and off-tasting). Given the price of this meal and wine pairing (the most expensive meal we had during our stay in Tokyo), we expected a much better experience. To make it even worse, they charged us a 13% service charge (not typical for Japan) and $1500¥ for an hour of Internet access! I would not recommend this spot to any of my family or friends.

The dinner service here was an amazing! I eat here a couple months ago, the menu was creative, fun, and more importantly delicious. The utensils were unique for each dish, emphasis on unique (one was a small apple spray). The chefs put a great deal of thought as to what goes into the menu, it also has an optional drink pairing menu to include non-alcoholic mocktails. The chef explains each dish they prepare, which utensil to eat it with, and encourages photography. The staff were very friendly and spoke English, so that made things easy. This is one of the more unique dining experiences Tokyo has to offer, absolutely worth a visit!

This is a typical molecular cuisine spot. If this is your first time experiencing it, go ahead and book this restaurant, you'll like it. Otherwise I believe you can skip this one. A week later and I already forgot what was served, a no-no sign. The best part was a nitrogen. I guess with the molecular cuisines you don't expect simple things, you need a WOW factor. This place is interesting and gives you few of those 'aha moments', but nothing really exceptional. They have a big potential though, and I hope they will came up with more interesting ideas. I would be happy to come back then.

Just came back from here and it was a wonderful experience. Nothing is as it seems and I was genuinely and pleasantly tricked by the courses. The chefs prepare the courses in front of you and are genuinely friendly and interactive. First class food, prepared in a fun and entertaining way. Good value too for a restaurant of this calibre. I paid double in Melbourne for a similar standard molecular restaurant.

A fabulous dining experience from beginning to end. With only 8 patrons, the 2 chefs lead a theatric performance filled with surprises, delights and a hammer smashing or two. Tapas molecular bar is wonderful in making you think of the cuisine from outside the ordinary. You are transported over 2 hours through 15 small plates on a wonderful journey thru a magical, culinary land. The dishes we had were not as they seemed. Forest, Prawn Cocktail, Penne, Benedict, Cigar, Fois Gras, Onsen Tamago, Cappuccino, Grouper, Guinea Fowl, Wagyu, Japanese breakfast with Rice, Natto and Nori. Walnut, Cheesecake, After Eight. An interesting tapestry with no common element other than to delight and entertain. 63 degrees Celcius and a measuring tape were used a lot as well as dry ice, a pair of pliers, a mini martini shaker and breathing. Now imagine balancing listening to instructions, taking shots and enjoying the meal and you get a picture of the whirlwind experience. All told, very enjoyable and I would do it again, the trick being landing one of the eight seats.

Unforgettable dining experience like none other. Possibly best meal I've ever had. Well-deserved recent acquisition of a Michelin star. Food was fun, inventive, and very tasty. Highly recommended also for those with a love or curiosity of molecular gastronomy as each dish is prepared in front of you. Reservations required very early since seating is limited to some seats around a bar where all the dishes are prepared and will be very pricey, but well worth it to try once or for a special occasion.

This is one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. It's fun and unpredictable so if you are expecting high end dining where you don't speak to anyone and you want to focus purely on the food you should shift your mindset before coming here. Everything feels like an experiment, from the utensils used to the way food is eaten. I recommend pacing yourself through the entire meal because there is a lot of food, and you'll want to take your time to catch all of the nuances. The menu here changes every 4 to 5 months, with the chef claiming that its around an 80% to 90% menu change. The ingredients are fresh and in combination with the techniques used they are all full of flavor. There's not much more you can ask for when you go to an experimental place like this.

Amazing food, amazing experience! Do not be fooled by the size of each plate because in the end you will be stuffed! The chef was super friendly and hospitable and explained the whole science behind what he was making. Food was superb, the chef did a great job bringing out the natural flavors of the ingredients and harmonizes them with other ingredients to bring out that flavorful bite. I was specifically intrigued by the chef's interpretation of the chicken pot pie! Amazing view of the city behind you, if you are not watching the magical performance happening right in front of you. Definitely one of my highlights of my Japan trip.

I feel bad for writing this since I know the chefs take passion in the innovative dishes they create. However, since it wasn't my first experience having molecular gastronomy food it wasn't as fabulous as I was hoping. My hubby decided on this place for our NYE dinner in Tokyo. It was a special holiday menu with a special price. The hotel is beautiful and the view that the restaurant on was quite nice. I've been to Alinea in Chicago years ago, e by Jose Andres, and we went to El Cellar de can Roca in Girona last January and Mugaritz in San Sebastian this past Spring. So I was somewhat expecting something better than Alinea and e but maybe not to the level of El Cellar since it's the #1 restaurant in the world. So I think I walked in with fair expectations. There are a number of reasons why I didn't give the 5 star reviews like everyone else: 1. one of the dishes was pigeon and it was groose. I had to swallow it to not offend the chef since you're sitting right in front of them. 2. another dish was a cheap tasting fish with no flavor baked in a clay bread that was not meant to be eaten but the chef said we could eat it. 3. a number of the sweet dishes should've been coated in chocolate instead of candy. It would've tasted better and better texture to the palate. 4. the caviar and lobster was fishy so I assumed it wasn't fresh 5. the 72-hour sous vide wagyu was tasteless and not good at all. All I was thinking was what a waste of Japanese beef. 6. the cigar wafer was too sweet for the savory dish that was in it. It just didn't taste well together. 7. the hard jelly thing that was supposed to be like penne was just wayy to hard that it made the taste and texture taste groose. They used that hard jelly thing again. None of the dishes actually tasted good. You have to go in with the understanding it's more a show and all about creativity. So that's why I'm giving 3 stars - for creativity but they fell far short from all the other molecular gastronomy restaurants I've been to. Hopefully they improve since it can be a memorable experience if the food is also tasty.

Love the creativity and the awesome service. By far one of the best eating experience in Japan. Thank you Chef Ping!!!

I went here for my birthday and it was an amazing experience! Very entertaining and every dish was so unique and delicious. The chef was willing to answer any questions and made it a special time to remember!

Simply Amazing ! A great experience and a must try when in town ! The quality, presentation and service is perfect ! I had a great time.

The dinner here was an amazing experience and exceeded my expectations! It was highly rated on trip advisor and catered to English speaking patrons so I had thought it was more of a touristy place (not necessarily a good quality). After eating there, I was thoroughly impressed and the fact that they cater to English speaking patrons in Japan is irrelevant. I think it is deserving of more than one michelin star as there was just so much thought, attention to detail and creativity put into every single course -taste, presentation, use of ingredients and the narrative. The chef was very entertaining and made it a fun experience. It was a playful take on gastronomy - the cigar shaped bbq pork roll that tasted like peking duck, the poached egg that was actually pumpkin puree as yolk and soft tofu as egg white, the play with liquid nitrogen while eating the meringue and getting us to blow smoke from our nostrils. Truly an exquisite experience!

A long overdue review for one of the best meals of my life. I had a tough time committing to where our group of 4 should have dinner in Tokyo- will it be overpriced? Overhyped? Overcrowded? Is there a view? Is it walkable to other places? To sum it all up, Tapas Molecular Bar was worth every penny and the experience is sure to please even the toughest critics. Location: The restaurant is floating above the Mandarin Oriental with stunning views of the Tokyo skyline. We got the later reservation by booking directly through the hotel website. This area is primarily shopping and commercial businesses so most things are closed by dinner time. However, the restaurant and the hotel is so grand that you will feel completely submerged in luxury and service. Restaurant: All of the restaurants within the Mandarin are located on the same floor so you might feel a little disoriented when you get to the top floor. Do not be discourage and feel free to ask for help! You are in the friendliest city of the world after all! The restaurant area is spacious with couches all around so plan to get there early if you want to have a drink and take in the views (you will be facing the Chef with your back against the windows for dinner). The seating is limited to the bar top (but you will not be sitting in bar stools thankfully!) and there is 2 dinner/show times each night. Chef Chow and Kenzo: Chef Chow is an HK native who has a true passion for molecular gastronomy. Each dish will be presented in a fun, inventive style and you can tell that they want you to have a good time. Dining here was also a rare opportunity for me to speak with a highly regarded chef and ask him all sorts of questions that I was always curious about like "what do you eat when you're off work?" "do you have any feelings left in your fingers?" "why do food in HK not taste as good as I expected?" With anyone else, I would probably be wearing on their patience but Chef Chow is the complete opposite- he was eager and happy to answer as many dumb questions as I had. He is the best! All the chefs and staff are incredibly approachable and are very in-tuned with the guests. However, Chef Chow and Kenzo spoke English flawlessly and the whole meal is presented in English and Japanese. I have no complaints when it comes to meeting Chef Chow's execution, presentation, and delivery. Chef Kenzo is from Canada, he's also a star in his own right. It will be fascinating to watch them create magic and still clean up after each course in perfect harmony. Food: Since we are in Japan, the dishes tend to be influenced between Asian cuisine but also from Chef Chow's native Hong Kong. The theatrics of molecular gastronomy is fun to experience but never takes away from the food. Every dish is well-thought, tasty, and beautiful from beginning to end without any losers or fillers. If you get fried chicken, it will be the best fried chicken you've ever had. If its a piece of fish, it will be the most delicious fish you've ever had and so on. CONCLUSION: Even if you're only in Tokyo for one night- I would not hesitate to recommend Molecular Tapas Bar as it earns top marks in food, presentation, and service. With the set menu, a bottle of wine, and several sparking waters- our bill was around $400 for 2 people but worth every penny. I promise you will be floating off of a food high afterwards.

This was an awesome experience with surprises a every part of the meal. The staff were very friendly and entertaining. The wine pairings were amazing. I mentioned our birthday and they served us a molecular bar style surprise that I will never forget! At the end of the dinner, they also give you an envelope with a list of the items served, so you don't forget. There are a few youtube videos of this experience, which really helps as well. It was very pricey, but very worth it to try at least once. Awesome experience that I recommend! Also, before I forget, go to the restroom! Go on, do it! The views of the city at night (from in the restroom) are breath taking.

Tapas is an 8 person bar (actually they will take up to 12 with one group but they prefer and generally only book until 8). It's small, intimate so that everyone has a front row, interactive, often amazing, frequently surprising, Michelin stared, culinary theater that is Molecular Gastronomy. I might dare to say Tapas served up my favorite meal in Japan (sorry Kaisei... ) and likely made one of the most entertaining activities as well. I LOVE science and food so Molecular Gastronomy is something that has totally excited me since I learned it existed. However, I've generally only had meals that use a few of the techniques in a normalish dish and generally when I've been in a city that has amazing Molecular chefs they always have tasting menus that can't always accommodate our dietary preferences or they have no availability and I usually have to opt to dine elsewhere. While planning our trip to Japan we read about Tapas and we contacted them and they were very willing to accommodate me with a vegetarian tasting menu on the dates we wanted. Reservations well in advance are pretty critical here - they only take 8 people twice a day (3 on weekends with a lunch sitting). They made us send copies of our foreign credit cards to them to secure our reservation along with a signed declaration saying we'll pay the full amount even if we didn't show. Tapas is a theater with a lot of attention in all the little details. From the oshibori which were pellets that looked like antacids that we rehydrated with mini beakers of oil infused water. To a total surprise menu (I won't even say in the event it's recycled) to the special things they did to someone having a birthday with us. The food was a delight. You watch it made in front of you which is magical and it's all a little interactive when it's time to dig in. Each dish was delight after delight and everyone was smiling ear to ear pretty much the whole time. One of my favorites was a cigar of pulled pork I believe served with edible ash in a crystal ash tray. You watch them sit in a smokey dome for a while before service and you get the essence of smoked meat when you go to eat your cigar (which totally looks like a cigar burning away in it's ash tray when you get it). The ash is like a dry dip/sauce for the roll that's like an amazing taquito meets wonderfully smoked meat with an asian spin. Another favorite was breakfast for dessert. Even after cutting into my fake poached egg I would have sworn up and down it was a well executed poach egg but it was mango inside of some kind of almond based white gelly pouch (wow... I can't sell it as I don't have the vocabulary... but believe me it was awesome and I'll try to get my photos up here too). It's expensive 15,000 Yen for the 16 courses and most of the drinks are about 2,500 Yen or a wine paring is 10,000 yen per person and then there is a 15% surcharge and tax... But, this is a fairly unique, exclusive experience in on the 38th floor of the Mandarin Oriental overlooking the skyline of Tokyo and that maybe shouldn't be a surprise.

Landed a reservation here since I was staying at the hotel (Mandarin Oriental). This bar is completely different than anything I have ever seen. They use chemistry and creative ways to make and present the dishes, such as the menu being on a measuring tape, cracking open a macaron for tuna tartare, eating a poached egg that ended up being pumpkin and tofu, and having dessert be dim-sum shaped. The most creative thing ever. The best was the dessert where they make a meringue with dry ice and you have to chew it in your mouth quickly as you exhale with your nose, and the dry ice gas comes out of your nose. Absolutely hilarious. Chefs are so funny and this was a great interactive experience. Def worth the price (around $200 per person I believe).

Unbelievable. I can't wait to go back for their next menu. This was a truly unforgettable, delicious experience.

Was lucky enough to dine here April 26 2016 and had the best dining experience of my life. My wife and I were seated at the center of the bar (8 bar seats) and we had the most entertaining and delicious meal of our lives. Our head chef was Chef Kento. He was very nice and informative and he knew so much about each and every dish that was being served. He made our dining experience feel very comfortable and open which was a pleasant surprise. He also invited us to ask as many questions and take as many photos are we wanted. My wife and I sometimes feel uncomfortable when dining at high end restaurants because we feel a bit of snobbiness with a sense of arrogance in the air. This place had all the glitz and glamour of a high end restaurant but non of the attitude.The restaurant was VERY accommodating to my pregnant wife's dietary restrictions and they were very attentive to all our concerns. This was our 1st time dining at a molecular gastronomy restaurant and we didn't really know what to expect but we were very pleased at the end of our meal. Although this restaurant had molecular gastronomy as part of the dishes we experienced more to the meal then that. Each dish was plated perfectly and the taste of some of the dishes were taste that we never would have dreamt of (i.e., soysauce ice cream?) We've been to expensive coursed menu dinners before but this was the 1st time we truly felt the dining experience matched the price per person ($200 usd per person incl tax/serv). Dining at this restaurant was probably the highlight of our trip to Tokyo, we highly recommend!