Manchester is a haven for Asian cuisine and we don’t think it’s likely to stop any time soon. Joining the Manchester restaurant scene back in late 2022, luxury Japanese dining spot on Manchester’s Bridge Street, MUSU, has become an instant hit in the city, aiming to set itself apart by bringing “a new breed of restaurant that offers both the pinnacle of fine dining and a totally immersive experience”.
The Japanese word MUSU translates as “infinite possibilities”, something that the restaurant aims to encapsulate in every aspect of the venue, from its menus to its interiors. Each element of MUSU has been meticulously thought through, starting with its contemporary interpretation of Japanese dishes.
Headed up by Michael Shaw, formerly of Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, the chef patron spent 18 months honing his passion for Japanese cuisine, with all the precision, skill and flavour that entails. The result is an exquisite tasting menu concept designed to deliver a multi-sensory dining experience featuring the likes of A5 grade wagyu beef and sustainable blue fin tuna.
What we ate at MUSU:
We tried the Rising Sun eight-course tasting menu priced at £100 and although some may think it a bit steep, we found it was definitely worth the price tag as we were wowed by every course and left with full stomachs. The tasting menu allows you to try a range of Japanese dishes prepared in different ways (raw, tempura fried or Teppan-grilled, to name a few) and is also available as a 12-course tasting menu for £150 too, and an optional wine flight can be added for the ultimate opulence.
Starting with a selection of sashimi consisting of raw, succulent slices of seabass, Loch Duart salmon, hamachi (yellowtail) and aged akami (bluefin) tuna over ice with freshly grated wasabi and soy sauce to dip, the dish set the bar high for what was to follow on the tasting menu. The incredibly fresh tuna sashimi was particularly a favourite of ours and could definitely eat on repeat if allowed.
Next, we were served a nigiri selection of sea bream topped with lime zest, o-toro (tuna) and chu-toro (tuna belly) and like the sashimi we were impressed, with the fatty (and flavoursome) tuna belly taking the top nigiri spot. This was then followed by a tempura dish of lobster, enoki mushroom, aubergine and green shiso leaf all cooked in a light, crispy batter which were very moreish.
The tasting menu also consisted of a yakitori (skewered) dish of either chicken thigh yakitori with Tokyo onion or king oyster mushroom glazed with cured egg yolk, which was a surprisingly meaty vegetarian dish.
We were then served a Teppan scallop with apple, yuzu, lardo and dashi butter and this was quite the showstopper for us – who would’ve thought crisp, sharp apple could pair so well with a succulent, grilled scallop? The dashi butter was also full of umami flavours that we made sure to slurp up every last drop on the dish.
Finishing the savoury dishes of the tasting menu on a high was a duck dish served with salsify, sake, beetroot and sansho pepper. The vegetarian option was a chawanmushi, a savoury steamed egg custard, which was served with morel mushrooms and a herb broth packed with flavour.
For sweets, we were served a white chocolate dessert with almond, soya milk crisp and crumble, which was light yet creamy. This was then followed by ‘Lemonade’, a lemony dessert featuring bergamot, yuzu and goat’s cheese, making it the perfect palate cleanser and finish to the tasting menu thanks to its zesty and fresh flavours.
MUSU not only offers a kaiseki set tasting menu but also a sushi menu and Omakase, which means entrusting the chef to create the perfect menu. At MUSU this translates into a theatrical and educational sushi experience, and is currently “the only true one of its kind outside London”. Served to guests at the six seat Omakase counter, this is presided over by Head Sushi Chef, Andre Aguiar, himself trained by renowned Japanese Sushi Master Yugo Kato.
Complementing the food and drink offerings at MUSU, the entire space follows the clean lines and precision associated with Japanese design. MUSU’s luxurious interiors feature bespoke Italian furniture, subtle, soft mood lighting and bespoke Geisha wall designs, complimenting the skill and creativity taking place in the kitchen.
For smaller parties, MUSU’s private dining room accommodates up to 14 guests and can be completely separate or adjoined from the main dining room. Separated by a glazed telescopic wall, the latter can be frosted at the touch of a button to deliver total privacy.
Offering Manchester somewhere totally unique in which to eat, drink and socialise, MUSU’s objective is to truly be a venue of “infinite possibilities” and we think they’ve nailed it.
You can book a table at MUSU here.
Find MUSU at 64 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BN.