Famed Sydney chef Tetsuya Wakuda returns one year on from closure for pop up

Tetsuya Wakuda announced in 2024 he was calling time on his famous Sydney restaurant. A year on from that last service, he will return for a three-month pop up at a cocktail bar.

Famed chef Tetsuya Wakuda shocked Sydneysiders in 2024 when he announced he was calling time on his famous Sydney restaurant Tetsuya, after a 35-year run. A year on from that last service, The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Tetsuya is set to return for a three month pop-up.

The iconic Japanese chef has partnered with Suntory to create a dish for their three-month residency at suave Japanese cocktail bar Whisky Thief, in the CBD.

Starting from August 8th the Suntory Bar pop up will see a host of Suntory beverage businesses - like Toki Japanese Whisky, Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark, Roku gin and BOSS Coffee be made into creative cocktails and teamed with innovative dishes.

Tetsuya has co-created an exclusive snack with Ex-Tetsuya’s chef and now Head Chef of Garaku, Derek Kim, to pair with the smoky Hakushu Highball.

Tetsuya Wakuda marks his epic return at 3-month residency, Suntory Bar. Picture: Supplied

Tetsuya Wakuda marks his epic return at 3-month residency, Suntory Bar. Picture: Supplied

Suntory Bar offers the first opportunity for Australians to taste Tetsuya’s cooking since the closure of his eponymous fine-dining restaurant, which is renowned for its eight-course degustation menu.

Originally there were plans to relocate the restaurant to a new site, since the Kent Street site was earmarked for development after its sale in 2018.

However that had fallen through, leading to the ultimate decision to close permanently.

“Our plans to relocate Tetsuya’s to a new site after it closes at the end of July have unfortunately not worked out and I have made the very difficult decision to permanently close the restaurant,” Wakuda said in a statement.