There are dinners that satisfy, dinners that delight, and then there are dinners that transport you. Legendary restaurant Akira Back has an upcoming experience that is truly out of the ordinary. Michelin-starred chef Akira Back has designed The Time Capsule, a six-course menu that charts his extraordinary journey from Seoul to Aspen, Las Vegas and finally Dubai, told not through words or pictures, but through flavours.
Guests are invited to step into the world of Chef Akira Back through his new menu, where each dish represents a memory, a milestone, and a story that shaped one of the most influential chefs in modern dining. The menu will be officially unveiled by Chef Back himself on Wednesday, 24th September, before becoming a permanent part of the dining experience for guests to enjoy.
A Chef With a Story to Tell
Akira Back was born in Seoul and raised in Aspen, Colorado, where his first love was snowboarding. The rush of speed, the thrill of risk and the demand for precision would later define his career in the kitchen. His journey took him from the slopes of Colorado to the kitchens of the United States, eventually opening Yellowtail in Las Vegas and gaining a reputation for fearless creativity. Today, his name is attached to restaurants across the globe and a Michelin star glitters on his resume.
At W Dubai – The Palm, Akira Back brings all of that energy together. His Dubai outpost is already famous for its daring take on modern Japanese cuisine, intertwined with Korean flavours and international influence. Now, The Time Capsule takes it further by having six carefully chosen courses to tell the story of how it all came to be.
A Menu of Memories
Think of it as a dinner in chapters. Each plate is a page in Akira’s book, beginning with his roots in Korea, flashing to his formative years in America, lingering on the experiments that made him stand out and finally settling into the present moment in Dubai.
The opening course whispers of his origins. Light, clean and precise. The way a young chef might first learn to balance flavour. From there, bold textures and unexpected twists arrive, echoing his discovery of modern Japanese cuisine and his refusal to play safe. Expect dishes that feel both familiar and surprising: wagyu beef reimagined, delicate sashimi with an edge and playful plates that demand attention as much as admiration.
By the time dessert arrives, the story has gone full circle. It draws from personal memories of family and heritage, presented with the artistry and polish that defines Chef Back today.
The Setting of the Story
Of course, a menu like this needs a stage. Akira Back at W Dubai – The Palm has always been a spectacle. From the moment you step through the illuminated vortex entrance, you are inside a space that feels alive with creativity. Tiger-stripe motifs nod to Chef Back’s zodiac, while sculptural ceilings and glowing light features set the scene for something extraordinary.
Take a seat by the window and the view opens wide. Dubai Marina glittering across the water, the curve of the Palm stretching out beneath you, and the skyline shimmering in the distance. Inside, the energy is electric, yet sophisticated. This is dining designed to excite not only your taste buds but your senses.
Wine, Conversation and the Art of Pairing
For those who want to take the journey further, a wine pairing is available to match each stage of The Time Capsule. Bright whites lift the freshness of sashimi. Smooth reds meet the richness of wagyu. Something sparkling seals the finale. It is a pairing that works in harmony with the story, amplifying flavour and adding another layer to the experience.
The Insider Middle East’s Take
So what can you expect if you book a seat at The Time Capsule? Expect to be surprised. Expect dishes that make you pause mid-conversation. Expect bold flavours where Korean heat meets Japanese precision and global influences slip into the mix. Expect to see why Chef Akira Back has become one of the most recognisable names in modern gastronomy.
The Details
Launch Date: Wednesday, 24th September from 7PM
Available: Daily from 7 PM onwards
Price: AED 599 per person (food only) | AED 300 per person (wine pairing)
Location: Akira Back, W Dubai – The Palm, West Crescent, Palm Jumeirah
BOOK NOW: HERE
