Contemporary and sleek with unusual design elements and a menu that’s full of surprises.
Jun’s is an establishment that exudes a modern, sleek, and daring atmosphere, showcasing its distinct design elements. The interior spaces are characterised by a calming sand-coloured palette, adorned with an array of natural materials and captivating textures such as timber, marble upon a pervasive emerald-green floor. Intricate suspended installations, crafted from a unique mesh material, cast shadows across the walls, in conjunction with grand white pendant lamps that feature exquisite gold inlays. These elements lend an additional layer of depth and dimension to the overall ambiance. Moreover, a touch of whimsy and playfulness emerges as a delightful surprise with a mischievous Elmo cap peeking out from the glass-enclosed kitchen, bringing smiles to the faces of all the guests. This cohesive design ensemble creates a chic and inviting atmosphere and a vibrant vibe at Jun’s.
The elevated seating area, with its timber-styled floor and ceiling, offers full views of the entire restaurant, providing a more intimate setting for guests. The bar, designed with a stunning marble top and an illuminated backdrop showcasing shelves of spirits, is a visual delight. Jun’s bar offering has been meticulously curated by the award-winning mixology team behind Tesouro, the bar currently ranked as the #4 best bars in Asia by World’s 50 Best. In terms of accolades at this young establishment, Jun’s has earned its place among MENA’s 50 Best 2023, Gault Millau 2023 1 Toque, and the MICHELIN Guide 2023, further solidifying its reputation as a culinary destination.
At the helm of Jun’s is the talented and creative Chef Kelvin Cheung, whose culinary journey spans across Canada, America, and India. Born in Toronto and raised in Chicago, Chef Cheung is a Chinese-Canadian third-generation chef who grew up immersed in the kitchen. His passion for exploring unfamiliar places and cooking led him to work his way up from sous chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant in Vancouver, Canada, to the esteemed position of Executive Chef in multiple renowned establishments. Chef Cheung’s time in India was particularly influential, where he played a pivotal role in conceptualising and launching multiple beloved restaurants.
As a Chinese-Canadian hailing from Vancouver, I found the fine dining experience at Jun’s to be truly remarkable. The food, beautifully presented yet bursting with flavour, evoked a deep sense of nostalgia. Each dish seemed to carry sentimental value, with a personal story behind it. Chef Cheung makes an effort to come by each table to share the spellbinding stories behind each dish.The carefully crafted menu at Jun’s perfectly showcases Chef Cheung’s signature culinary style, offering a unique interpretation of Asian and North American dishes. The dining experience promises to take guests on an immersive journey through Chef Cheung’s life and experiences, challenging them to reimagine Asian cuisine in a refreshing and thought-provoking way.
We were pleasantly surprised by a selection of standout starters that tantalised our taste buds. One of them was the slightly charred rainbow heirloom carrots, which offered a burst of flavours enhanced by a delightful soy honey butter. These vibrant carrots were elegantly presented on a bed of labneh that had been hung for 36 hours and then smoked, resulting in a delightful combination of textures and tastes. Another remarkable small plate was Chef Cheung’s innovative take on scallop sushi. Thin slices of Hokkaido scallop gracefully adorned warm crispy rice discs, artfully arranged on a velvety corn puree. The lobster pani puri, which featured bite-size crispy-fried puffed balls filled with delicately poached lobster in butter, topped with achari tamarind fluid gel. This inventive interpretation of Indian street comfort food was truly fantastic.
The sea bream carpaccio, delicately sliced and complemented with loomi aswad, yuzu, and a sprinkling of nori powder, offered a fresh and subtle texture. The famous Vietnamese Banh Mi, stuffed with hot honey butter and fermented black garlic, left us with mouthwatering satisfaction. We were also enamoured with the healthy spinach saag dip, featuring fenugreek, crispy okra, and creamy pureed cauliflower, accompanied by fluffy paratha. Amidst the vibrant music, our exclamations of delight were clearly audible to each other.
Moving on to the mains, the tender Australian Wagyu tenderloin, served with al dente broccoli and rice noodles in a roasted garlic sauce, evoked nostalgic memories of times gone by. On the other hand, the chilli-braised red sesame oil Szechuan lamb neck, accompanied by mantou (Chinese steamed bun), was exquisitely tender and bursting with flavour, melting in our mouths with sheer goodness.
As dessert arrived, our excitement peaked, particularly because we are both huge fans of sticky mango rice. The combination of chewy glutinous rice, velvety coconut milk, and diced ripe mangos was a delightful conclusion to our culinary journey at Jun’s. Each bite offered a harmonious blend of flavours that left us satisfied and longing for more. All the delectable dishes were flawlessly paired with perfectly chilled Veuve Clicquot. Chef Cheung’s creativity and culinary expertise shone through with every dish, captivating and compelling our palates.
Jun’s is more than just a restaurant; it is a place that embraces the spirit of community and togetherness. It was created with the intention of celebrating life’s milestones, both big and small. Whether it’s commemorating a significant achievement or simply revelling in the everyday joys, Jun’s provides a welcoming space where guests can gather and create cherished memories.
For more information or reservations please visit www.junsdubai.com or Instagram @junsdubai
