Inside the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, a Japanese dining experience stands in contrast to the high prices typical of this area of Madrid. Kogumi, a stall located within the Bernabéu Market, serves a five-course omakase menu for 35 euros, featuring high-end ingredients in a premium setting.
The tasting experience is designed to offer an overview of the menu. It begins with an appetizer of sautéed edamame seasoned with salt and shichimi. After this starter, the menu moves on to a selection of sushi pieces. Among the main courses , highlights include the chutoro nigiri, served with a sherry reduction, and a salmon nigiri with chipotle sauce, which is served on a bed of pre-fried rice to add texture.
The menu progresses to more complex creations, such as a hot roll stuffed with crab and slices of tuna parpatana. The tuna is prepared directly on the robata grill, where it takes on the nuances of the charcoal and is cooked using melted Wagyu beef fat to enhance its flavor profile.
Japanese grill and certified products
Kogumi’s menu is structured around two main themes: the robata—a traditional Japanese grill where various cuts of meat and fish are seared over an open flame—and the sushi section, which focuses on nigiri, hand rolls, and other raw preparations. The restaurant displays quality certifications such as the Kagoshima Wagyu Consortium seal, working with cuts of Japanese beef that sell for up to 200 euros per kilo on the market.
Alongside strictly Asian-inspired dishes, there are also nods to local cuisine, offering off-menu options such as croquettes topped with slices of Iberian ham. The menu is seasonal, so the exact preparations and ingredients rotate to suit the summer or winter months.
To conclude the omakase menu, a dessert is served that combines different textures and levels of sweetness. It is a light ganache made with Greek yogurt, white chocolate, and mascarpone cheese, sprinkled with crushed pistachios. With this fixed-price menu structure, the restaurant establishes itself as an affordable sushi option within the stadium’s revitalized commercial district.
