Meliá Pattaya Hotel has given DEN a new identity. The restaurant, previously known for Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cuisine, is now a modern premium izakaya specialising in Japanese grilling and sharing plates. It launches with a four-course dinner paired with premium sake on Friday 30 October 2026.

The concept borrows from Japan's informal izakaya pubs, where people gather over drinks and small dishes meant for sharing. The room has been styled as a nod to Tokyo after dark, with a new soundtrack mixing Japanese city pop and contemporary sounds. Japanese highballs, freshly poured beer and sake sit at the centre of the drinks offer.

The launch dinner

The dinner runs from 7pm to 9pm on 30 October. It opens with sharing appetisers of edamame and sweet potato fries, followed by fried Wagyu gyoza and aburi shime saba pan con gohan. The second course brings hand-sliced salmon crudo, salmon and tuna croquetas and assorted sushi rolls.

The main event is a premium yakitori selection of chicken thigh, Kurobuta pork, Wagyu striploin, Saikyo miso grouper and grilled vegetables, with yuzu sake sherbet to finish. Each course is paired with premium Japanese sake in collaboration with beverage distributor Italasia. The dinner costs THB 1,990++ per adult and THB 995++ per child aged five to 12.

The new menu

The new a la carte menu centres on Japanese-style skewers cooked over a charcoal robata grill. Sharing dishes include spicy chicken karaage and fried Wagyu gyoza. Hints of Meliá's Spanish heritage and of Thai cooking show up in sweet potato fries with Romesco mayo, aburi shime saba on crispy Japanese rice with tomato salsa and extra virgin olive oil, and tuna and red snapper rolls with Thai coconut sauce.

From November, DEN adds Yakitori Matsuri, a weekly all-you-can-eat skewer night of chicken, pork, Wagyu beef, seafood and vegetables, with sides such as fried rice, edamame and sweet potato fries. It runs every Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm and costs THB 990 net per adult and THB 495 net per child aged five to 12, including free-flow cold brew tea.

Reservations: +66 (0) 33 168 555 or fb.co@meliapattaya.com.

Images: courtesy of Meliá Pattaya Hotel