Karan Johar’s new restaurant in Gurgaon blends Japanese flavours with modern vibes

Bollywood filmmaker Karan Johar together with Truepalate Hospitality founders Ankit Tayal, Anshul Goel, and Vartik Tihara, recently announced the launch of OJU in Gurgaon that celebrates Japanese cuisine through the global lens and offers refreshing cocktails.

At OJU, the culinary program is led by Chef Mahmoud Mohamed Awadalla Gaber (Moh) and Chef Nitin Bhardwaj, both bringing a wealth of international experience. Together, they have created a menu where every detail is made in-house, ensuring integrity and depth in every bite.The interior of the place is designed by Aayushi Malik, which embraces understated beauty, with natural stone, wood, and muted tones.

The menu highlights dishes like Pickled Tomato Maki Rolls, Scallop Kushiyaki,Prawn Tempura, Grilled Octopus and more.

Diners can also savour signatures such as the silky Black Miso Cod and Grilled Salmon Robatayaki. The sushi bar offers a selection of nigiri, sashimi, and maki rolls, while gyoza, mantou, and crisp tempura deliver comfort and familiarity. They are also offering Robatayaki, the grill culture that celebrates vegetables, seafood, and meats cooked over open flame with a simple, honest approach.

The bar menu is conceptualized in collaboration with Countertop led by Pankaj Balachandran, and brought to life by Head Mixologist Siya Negi.

The cocktail menu is a blend of Japan and Peru. Highball Rituals pay homage to Japanese izakayas, while House Pours showcase OJU’s original cocktails, crafted with intention and a cosmopolitan touch. Drawing inspiration from izakaya drinking culture, highballs form the anchor — simple spirits elevated with sparkling bases and thoughtful layers of flavor.

From Japan comes clarity, balance, and precision; from Peru, vibrance and boldness.

Elated about the launch, Karan Johar states, “Oju is really close to our hearts. It’s something we built with people we love working with, and every bit of it carries that energy. To me, it feels like the natural next step for Neuma, a space where cocktails, food, and atmosphere come together in a way that makes you want to linger. I see it becoming that ritual you look forward to, the place you keep coming back to. And we’re only getting started.

I can’t wait to see Oju travel to more cities with us.”