Sakaba Malabar is a restaurant and bar in Jing'an, Shanghai that serves a menu of Spanish tapas with Japanese influence alongside cocktails, sakes, and wine. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence

New & Hot: Sakaba Malabar for Spanish-Japanese Food & Drink

Rachel Gouk
  • August 19, 2021
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Malabar has been a fixture on Wuding Lu, serving Spanish tapas, beer, and wine since 2012. Early this summer, the time came for a refresh in a bold direction, and it’s one that’s turning out rather nicely.

Introducing Sakaba Malabar, a sleek restaurant and bar that blends Spanish tapas with Japanese cuisine alongside sakes, cocktails, and wine.

Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

About Sakaba Malabar

Sakaba Malabar resides in the same space where Malabar was on Wuding Lu. If you’ve been to Malabar, Sakaba is nothing like it—it’s been completely transformed. It’s backed by the same people, led by chef patron Juan Campos, also of RAW Eatery, and they’re adamant about retaining the same casual dining experience and great drinking atmosphere that Malabar had.

Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

At the center is a gorgeous horseshoe bar encircled by leather clad bar chairs, the walls surrounding adorned with bottles of wine. It’s a cozy space with just over 40 seats, 20 of those are at the bar.

Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

The Food

The food menu is a creative blend of Spanish tapas with Japanese influences, courtesy of brother-sister duo Juan and Ana Campos. Imagine hints of teriyaki (which is made in-house from scratch), and the use of kombu and miso weaved into Spanish favorites. And it’s all reinforced with a strong drinks program (more on this below).

“Spanish-Japanese” is difficult to imagine on paper. So here’s what to expect:

Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Table bread, alongside a welcome drink, a refreshing cocktail of shochu infused with jasmine, topped with cava. (Welcome drink to rotate.)
Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Mediterranean Salad (¥58) – Greens over goat cheese foam with black olives and pesto dressing. Creamy & refreshing. Be sure to mix the salad well.
Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Tuna Tartare (¥198) – Premium blue fin tuna with plum, salmon roe, and grilled foie gras, seasoned with a house-made teriyaki. Lovely.
Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Japanese-Style Escabeche Mackerel (¥48) – Mackerel cured in umeboshi cherry vinegar, kombu, and ginger atop pickles.
Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Leek Croquettes (¥78/three) – One of the sacred Spanish foods. Puffy clouds of fat croquettes topped with cold crab salad and Iberico Bellota ham. Crispy on the outside, molten on the inside.
Croquettas at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Beef Croquettes (¥68/two) – Beef that’s been macerated and mixed with the same fluffy potato mixture and fried, topped with a sliver of Iberico pork belly and uni. A bomb.
Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai.
Baked Crab “Txangurro Donostiarra” (¥108) – A traditional Basque dish of fresh crab meat cooked with béchamel. Topped with pieces of sake-infused foie gras. It’s a luxurious dish. You’ll be hesitant to share this with your dining companions. Best enjoyed with bread.
Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Sous-Vide Egg (¥78) with Iberico Bellota ham, pumpkin miso cream and crème fraiche. This is a divisive dish due to its sweet profile. Be sure to mix well to get the onsen egg at the bottom.
Tortilla de patatas at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Tortilla de Patatas (¥58) – One of many quintessential Spanish dishes, the potato omelette. Topped with thin strips of sautéed king mushroom—to evoke angulas, baby eels, also a popular Spanish tapas—and black aioli. Tasty, comforting, and easy to love.
Iberico pork rice at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Iberico Pork Rice (¥238) – Rice cooked in a stock of shiitake, miso, kombu, and bonito flakes, sautéed with Iberico pork belly, Bellota ham, and garlic, over sous vide egg, topped with sea urchin. It’s oh-so comforting.
Paella at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Mini Seafood Paella (¥128) – A two-person pan of al dente rice cooked in a rich stock loaded up baby squid, Iberico pork, and red prawns.
Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai.
Grilled Eggplant (¥58) studded with okra and eggplant cream, dressed with miso honey yogurt.
Steak at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
UYYU Uruguay M7 beef (¥198) – 100g of uber marbled wagyu beef fired on the josper grill, served with charred bamboo and manchego foam.
Fries at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Fries (¥28) – Side dish, doused with black garlic miso mayo.
Dessert at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Chocolate Mousse & Caramel Cake (¥68) – Easily the most sinful of desserts.
Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Japanese Fruit Ice Cream (¥58) – Peach or Pumpkin flavor available.

For Drinks: Cocktails, Sake & Wine

For drinks, Sakaba Malabar has cocktails, sakes, sojus, wines, and spirits. The cocktails (all ¥88 each), which feature eight house signatures, have been curated by award winning bartender Yao Lu of Union Trading Co.

Of the cocktails tried, all were delicious, especially the Horchata Milk Punch. There are also mocktails for ¥68 each.

Cocktails at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Horchata Milk Punch – Golden Rice, almonds, cinnamon, clarified milk, sherry brandy. Silky smooth, punchy, and milky. It’s absolutely appetizing, and my favorite of the three cocktails tried. This should be the first cocktail you order.
Cocktails at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Tochigi Cobbler – Oloroso sherry, lemon juice, strawberry jam, pineapple. An easy sipping, refreshing drink.
Cocktails at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Takeda Isabella – Sake, rose petal jam, aquafaba, fresh lemon. Not very sweet, floral-citrusy, and mildly herbaceous.
Yuzu Liquor at Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.
Yuzu Liquor (¥638/bottle) – A sake-based pomelo liquor that’s tart, fragrant, bright, and refreshing. Delightful.

Wines start at ¥58/glass, ¥298/bottle; sakes from ¥418 a bottle. Looking for a recommendation? Ask for General Manager Anup Rajbhandari (formerly of Bar Rouge). He’ll gladly provide options.

In Summary

Sakaba Malabar just opened last weekend. Given its location, the backing of Juan and Anup, and Shanghai’s incessant desire to try out new places, it’s no surprise that it’s busy.

Sakaba Malabar, a Spanish restaurant and bar with Japanese influences in Jing'an, Shanghai. Photo by Rachel Gouk @ Nomfluence.

It is a new, interesting, and bold concept. Marrying two cuisines together is no easy feat. But what Sakaba has managed to do is quite unique, and it works. Oh, and the atmosphere is excellent.

Favorite dishes: Tuna tartare, both croquettes, baked crab, tortillas de patatas, Iberico pork rice, paella, chocolate mousse.

Book Your Table

Sakaba Malabar has seating times for dinner at 5:30pm, 7:30pm, and 9:30pm. Last order is 10:30pm.

Book through the link below to receive one complimentary welcome drink per person! Valid from Sunday to Wednesday only.

Click here to book now!

Sakaba Malabar
Address: 1081 Wuding Lu, near Jiaozhou Lu 武定路1081号, 近胶州路
Tel: 52373085
Hours: Sun-Thu, 5:30pm-1am; Fri-Sat, 5:30pm-2am

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Rachel Gouk has been writing about food and drink in Shanghai since 2011. She is a food critic, writer, photographer, and F&B consultant based in Shanghai. Nomfluence was founded in May 2018 as a means to express her love for the Shanghai F&B scene. Follow her blog www.nomfluence.com or on Instagram @nomfluence.
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