Japanese-inspired elemental dining experience, Kureta, is soon to launch at JW Marriott Auckland this November.
Kureta, JW Marriott Auckland’s highly-anticipated new restaurant, will officially open in November, offering an intimate and unconventional Tepan House experience that honours Japanese craftsmanship while drawing inspiration from New Zealand’s natural purity.
Opening on November 4th with Chef de Cuisine Akihiro Nakamura at the helm, Kureta has embraced the global shift toward authentic, artisanal, and experience-led dining. The new offering will pay homage to the core Tepan House techniques of flame and heat, while elevating the concept with locally sourced ingredients, refined presentation, and a deep connection to nature and craft.
“I am really looking forward to bringing this vision to life and working to create an interactive and modern Japanese experience for guests,” said Chef Akihiro Nakamura.
“We know that guests are looking for authentic, artisanal, and experience-driven dining – and that’s exactly what Kureta will offer by bringing together the southern oceans and volcanic lands of New Zealand with the precision and elegance of Japanese culinary tradition.”
Nakamura promised to bring an authentic Japanese ‘Omakase’ and modern teppanyaki style to Kureta, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, leveraging trusted relationships with local farmers, fishermen and artisans. Aki started his culinary career in Tokyo at just 18 years old and brings over two decades of Japanese Culinary experience to his role at Kureta.
Kureta’s open kitchen atmosphere will offer a unique dining experience to guests, with Chef Akhi creating dishes that will feature premium quality produce, as well as premium aged products using dry ageing fridges, and premium cuts of wagyu from New Zealand, Australia and Japan. The beverage menu leans heavily on unique and interesting offerings, largely originating from Japan.
A distinctive new addition to Auckland’s dining scene, Kureta’s menu offers epicurean delights from New Zealand’s southern oceans to the rich flavours of the volcanic land,s with each dish paying homage to nature’s elegance, and fusing local ingredients with traditional Japanese techniques. With a capacity of up to 30 guests, Kureta is designed to accommodate both intimate diners and larger groups, with guests invited to a shared elemental table where each dish tells a story crafted with precision and passion.
“We’re proud to introduce Kureta to JW Marriott Auckland’s dining portfolio. A place where Japanese craftsmanship meets New Zealand’s exceptional local produce,” said Girish Talreja, General Manager, JW Marriott Auckland.
“Guests can expect an elevated dining experience defined by authenticity and a deep respect for both nature and flavour.”
From a design perspective, Kureta reflects Japanese craftsmanship and natural simplicity using materials such as burnt timber (yakisugi), hammered bronze, and distressed leather to evoke a tactile, elemental feel. The design balances raw textures with refined finishes, creating a space that feels intimate, atmospheric, and artisanal. Kureta is a physical extension of this culinary philosophy, evident in the use of materials that evoke fire, earth, and water elements such as charred timber, stone, and metal.
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