A taste of connection
For owners and partners Shawn and Juliana McGowan, Bar Yoku was never simply about being another restaurant. It was about creating an experience.
When shared plates were less common, the pair saw an opportunity to bring people back together around the table. Their vision centred on bold flavours, memorable dishes, and the conversations that flow when food is shared.
“We really love bringing that social element of food to the table, bringing people together, to experience food and good company,” says Juliana.
That philosophy sits at the heart of Bar Yoku’s Japanese-inspired cuisine. The menu is designed to encourage exploration, offering diners the chance to sample a variety of dishes – some that they might never have experienced before.
“I guess it’s just the way I like to eat too. I get enjoyment out of everybody tasting different things,” says Shawn.
A prominent feature of the restaurant is its use of Japanese-style grilling, with the team making the most of the yakitori grill to create inspiring food. Alongside familiar favourites, diners will find unique cuts and ingredients that encourage a sense of adventure, like Hapuka wing or tail.
Their own travels have shaped that approach, particularly memories of hospitality and the small, surprising bites discovered overseas. Those experiences continue to influence both the menu and the atmosphere they cultivate.
When developing new dishes, Shawn draws inspiration from culinary experiences around the world.
“I look at concepts and ideas, ingredients and styles, and how I can manipulate it in here.”
“We really hone in on service, and for those sitting up at the yakitori grill, sometimes we like to share tasty, unexpected bits. It’s good to give people the opportunity to try things they wouldn’t otherwise,” says Juliana.
“We have so much love for people having those awesome experiences, and I think that’s hospitality,” says Juliana. “We always tell our team we want them to treat people like they would in their own home.”
Across the courtyard at Imōto, a curated drinks list perfectly accompanies Japanese and Euro plates from Bar Yoku and Imōto’s kitchens.