Sakaba Malabar is a sleek and stylish restaurant and bar on Wuding Lu serving up Spanish food with a Japanese twist in a fun, convivial space.
New dishes galore for the season! Plus, Nomfluence Readers get a complimentary drink with dinner.
About Sakaba Malabar
Stepping into Sakaba Malabar, you’re greeted by a stunning horseshoe bar, adorned with leather-clad bar chairs. With just over 40 seats, including 20 at the bar, Sakaba is cozy, casual yet polished.
Dinner is casual yet vibrant with lively tables chatting away. Bar seats tend to snap up quickly, a preferred perch for those wanting to have an easy-going tapas-style meal. Groups gravitate towards the banquettes, sharing heftier main dishes paired with a slew of cocktails.
From 10:30pm onwards, the lights dim and music is upbeat and energetic, transforming the dining room into a fluid social space—patrons mingle with drinks in hand—filled with fast-paced conversation. And if you live in the neighborhood, chances are you’ll run into some familiar faces.
The Food
Let’s talk about the star of the show—the menu.
The talented chef patron Juan Campos, also known for his work at RAW Eatery, and chef Ana Campos, have created an imaginative fusion of Spanish tapas with Japanese influences. It’s subtle in some places (the use of miso and koji in seasoning), and more obvious in others (yakitori).
As for new dishes, the highlights are undeniable, a massive scallop bite that’s just to die for, a comforting potato salad with crab, the staple of broken eggs, and Argentinian prawns paired with an umami-bomb of a sauce, and a Milanesa made with Cinco Jotas pork.
Huevos Rotos, or broken eggs, is a traditional Spanish dish that can be found in any tapas house in Spain. Its origins are unknown, however, it’s been known to be a dish “for the people,” dishing up simple base ingredients of eggs, potatoes, and ham or chorizo for a hearty snack. Sakaba serves up diced fries, cubed and crispy, as the base. One of those elevated comfort foods.
There’s also meats and seafood cooked over the charcoal and wood grill, ranging from skirt steak to octopus.
The Drinks
Sakaba also boasts an exceptional drinks program. Whether you’re a sake enthusiast, a cocktail connoisseur, or a lover of fine wines, Sakaba stocks a little bit of everything. The G&Ts and negronis are also a popular order.
It’s dinner with a little adventurous twist, good for a full on spread for groups to share or for tapas and drinks at the bar.
Nomfluence Readers Deals
Nomfluence readers that book via the link below get a complimentary drink with dinner. Deal is valid until December 30, 2023.
- One complimentary drink per person. Valid with a dinner booking. Limited to selected cocktails, house wine or house sake.
Click here to book your seat!
Sakaba Malabar
Address: 1081 Wuding Lu, near Jiaozhou Lu 武定路1081号, 近胶州路
Tel: 52373085
Hours: Sun & Mon-Thu, 5:30pm-1am, Fri-Sat, 5:30pm-2am