JUA

In Japan, the term kushiyaki refers to skewered meats and fresh vegetables grilled over binchotan, or Japanese charcoal. At JUA we take this idea a few steps further. In addition to classic kushiyaki, our chef dishes out an assortment of izakaya fare prepared tapas-style on plates meant for sharing. This is unpretentious drinking food that is best enjoyed with good friends and family. Our beverage menu is a thoughtful collection natural wines, handcrafted cocktails, artisanal sake and small-batch spirits. 

The intimate yet functional space comfortably seats up to 40 guests and is located near the Chao Praya River in Bangkok’s emerging “Creative District”. The 3-story building was formerly a “baan kaanphanan”, or illegal gambling house, that operated for more than 20 years. JUA is a reference to the game of Siamese blackjack (otherwise known as “pok daeng”) and loosely translates to “hit me!” in the original Thai. The name serves as a playful tribute to the building’s nefarious past.

The design, by Sean Dix Design & Architecture in Hong Kong (Yardbird, Belon, Lil’Bao, Ho Lee Fook), is informal and minimal, incorporating a muted color palette that allows for the artwork, custom furnishings and elements of the surrounding neighborhood to shine through. The overall aesthetic is a thoughtful mix of Thai and Japanese modernism.

JUA’s primary goal is to promote a memorable social atmosphere that encourages an after work snack, happy hour cocktails or a night out. A place to relax, unwind, and enjoy food and drink as they are meant to be enjoyed, in a immaculately-designed space that combines the spirit of Osaka’s backstreets with vibrant energy and laidback soul of Bangkok’s old town