ROKU Resto in Tallinn Japanese Flavours on Poordi Street

I visited ROKU Resto and honestly… this is exactly the kind of place you go once and immediately start thinking about when to come back 😍

ROKU is located on Poordi Street in central Tallinn and combines traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern approach. This is not just a “sushi place.” It’s a restaurant where every detail feels carefully thought through – from the visual presentation to the drink pairings.

The atmosphere is elegant, yet pleasantly relaxed. Not too formal, not too loud.

👉 Reservations are open and you should DEFINITELY book a table in advance.

🫛 Edamame with Maldon salt

Simple, but such a great start. Lightly salty, soft, and warm. The kind of snack that instantly awakens your appetite and sets the Japanese mood. You could easily eat more of these… if you didn’t know how much good stuff is still coming 😄

During FoodLover Restaurant Week (February 11–22), you can enjoy 2 special menus:

Lunch menu – 15 €

Snack
Edamame with Maldon salt

Main course (choose 1)
Crispy fish cake – mashed potatoes, fresh fennel and cucumber salad, tartar sauce, green oil

Donburi poke bowl with crispy chicken – rice, marinated egg, carrot mayo, pickled carrot, zucchini, fresh cucumber

Dessert (choose 1)
Crème brûlée – Japanese style, with mirin and rhubarb jam

Dinner menu – 25 €

Snack
Edamame with Maldon salt

Starter (choose 1)
Dorado ceviche – yuzu sauce, jalapeño, green onion

Black Angus carpaccio – arugula, wasabi mayo, ponzu sauce, daikon chips

Main course (choose 1)
Yarokobi maki – rice, nori, cream cheese, tobiko, avocado, sea bream, salmon, chives, sesame

Rein roll – rice, nori, flame-seared salmon, tempura shrimp, tobiko, teriyaki sauce, sweet chili mayo, sesame seeds

Dessert
Crème brûlée – Japanese style, with mirin and rhubarb jam

🥩 Black Angus carpaccio

The beef is thinly sliced and very tender, melting in your mouth. Wasabi mayo adds a gentle kick, while ponzu brings a perfect tangy-salty balance.

Daikon chips add texture and crunch. Very flavorful, yet still elegant.

🐟 Dorado ceviche

So good – fresh and vibrant. Yuzu adds citrus brightness, while jalapeño gives a light spicy touch. The dorado itself is delicate with a clean taste.

A dish that instantly wakes up your taste buds.

For context: yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit with a flavor somewhere between lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit – bright and refreshing.

ROKU is not just about food – they also offer Japanese drinks that you don’t easily find elsewhere.

Yuzu sake was especially interesting. It’s sake infused with yuzu juice – fresh, slightly tangy, and very aromatic. Perfect with sushi and ceviche. Definitely worth trying if you want something different.

🐟 Crispy fish cake

Sounds like comfort food, but with a Japanese twist. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.

Mashed potatoes add softness and a homey feel, while the fresh salad brings lightness and crunch. Tartar sauce adds a slight tang, and the green oil brightens the whole plate.

Not just a fish cake – a well-balanced dish.

I also tried Japanese plum wine (umeshu). It’s sweeter, smooth, and fruity – perfect as an aperitif or with dessert.

Not overly syrupy, but rather elegant.

Fun fact: it’s made from fully ripened Japanese ume plums.

🍣 Yarokobi maki

A rich combination – creamy, fresh, and full of texture. Tobiko adds crunch, avocado adds softness, and the fish brings freshness.

A sushi roll that feels a bit luxurious, yet very enjoyable.

🍣 Rein roll

This is probably the “wow” roll. Flame-seared salmon adds a smoky note, tempura shrimp brings crunch, and teriyaki sauce adds sweet-salty depth.

Sweet chili mayo ties everything together. A true explosion of flavors – but still perfectly balanced.

Personally, I liked this even more than the Yarokobi maki.

🍮 Crème brûlée (Japanese style)

Crispy caramelized top and silky cream underneath. Mirin adds a subtle caramel depth, while rhubarb jam brings acidity.

Sweet, but not too sweet – balanced and elegant. The perfect ending.

Definitely a dessert I would order again 😋

In this Japanese-style crème brûlée, mirin is used – a sweet rice wine commonly used in Japanese cuisine, much like sugar in Western cooking. It gives the dessert its soft caramel-like and well-balanced flavor.

ROKU is not just a sushi restaurant. It’s a place where every dish feels like an experience. Flavorful, elegant, yet relaxed enough that you don’t feel “too fancy.”

I really liked that balance – fresh, crispy, creamy, and light all on one plate. And the drinks… plum wine and yuzu sake made the whole experience even more special.

If you’re looking for Japanese cuisine that’s a bit different but still respects tradition, ROKU is definitely worth visiting.

ROKU Resto is waiting for you from February 11–22 – but don’t forget to book a table in advance, or you might miss out on this great offer.

It’s a place that works perfectly for lunch, dinner with friends, or even a small romantic date.