Tate creates Yayoi Kusama-inspired menu

Celebrate Tate Modern's Yayoi Kusama exhibit (17 May 2021-12 June 2022) with these Japanese dishes inspired by the artist's work

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern Yakitori venison, burnt spring onions, ponzu, cucumber
Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern Yakitori venison with burnt spring onions, ponzu and cucumber. Photography by Katie Wilson. 
(Image credit: Photography by Katie Wilson)

To coincide with the recent opening of its Yayoi Kusama exhibition, Tate Modern is serving up a new menu at its Level 6 restaurant inspired by the artist.

While no polka-dot pumpkins will be on offer here, the new menu will include Japanese lunch options and weekend Afternoon Tea with colourful, bite-size desserts and finger sandwiches with an umami twist. 

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern Okonomiyaki made with jersey royal potatoes and ginger coriander pesto

Okonomiyaki made with jersey royal potatoes and ginger coriander pesto

(Image credit: Photography by Katie Wilson)

We recommend booking your spot at the roof-top restaurant and indulging in a starter of Okonomiyaki made with jersey royal potatoes and ginger coriander pesto or bitting into some saucy Fried Cornish red chicken wings sprinkled with dashi salt.

Next, move on to flavour-packed delicacies like, Yakitori venison with burnt spring onions, ponzu and cucumber; or try the Teriyaki roasted aubergine with shimeji mushrooms and oshitashi, a dish so impressively plated it almost seems a shame to eat it.

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern Teriyaki roasted aubergine with shimeji mushrooms and oshitashi

Teriyaki roasted aubergine with shimeji mushrooms and oshitashi

(Image credit: Photography by Katie Wilson)

Here at Wallpaper* we're big fans of miso-inspired desserts, so we recommend finishing off the meal with the rich Miso chocolate mousse. That said, the Rhubarb sundae with kokuto caramel sauce is an especially delightful indulgence, featuring hot pink sauce and a cloud-like texture that's bound to spring a smile.

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern pink and white sundae

Rhubarb sundae with kokuto caramel sauce

(Image credit: Photography by Katie Wilson)

For something lighter, experience Afternoon tea as you've never had it before. Munch on sweet treats like Matcha tea scones with clotted cream and cherry and sakura compote; or savoury sandwiches like Miso roasted beef with pickled mouli, wasabi, and watercress. Wash it all down with some 'shimmer' tea, a pinky red brew that smells and tastes like cherry pie and is bursting with sparkling, edible glitter. 

Whatever you decide to go for, these knockout dishes are so good they'll have you seeing stars before you even step into Kusama's Infinity Mirror. An ideal way to celebrate a day back in the galleries for the first time in a long time.

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern Matcha tea scones with clotted cream and cherry and sakura compote

Matcha tea scones with clotted cream and cherry and sakura compote

(Image credit: Photography by Katie Wilson)

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern savoury dish

(Image credit: Photography by Katie Wilson)

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern with orange brulee

(Image credit: Photography by Katie Wilson)

Yayoi Kusama at Tate Modern salad with fish eggs

(Image credit: Photography by Katie Wilson)

INFORMATION

tate.org.uk

Writer and Wallpaper* Contributing Editor

Mary Cleary is a writer based in London and New York. Previously beauty & grooming editor at Wallpaper*, she is now a contributing editor, alongside writing for various publications on all aspects of culture.