Strawfire by Ross Shonhan

Strawfire by Ross Shonhan is a Japanese restaurant at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental on West Corniche Road in Al Ras Al Akhdar, Abu Dhabi. The restaurant centres on warayaki, a traditional cooking technique from Japan’s Kochi prefecture that uses straw-fired flames to cook food. The process gives ingredients a gently smoky character while placing the fire at the centre of the dining experience.

The menu, curated by Chef Ross Shonhan, explores Japanese gastronomy through ingredients including meat, seafood and vegetables. Rather than relying on a single category of produce, the cooking approach is applied across a varied menu, allowing the flavour of the straw fire to work with different textures and ingredients. The result is a style of dining built around open-flame cooking, Japanese technique and carefully considered combinations.

Strawfire’s character is immersive without moving away from the food. Flames form part of the restaurant’s visual identity, while the warayaki method brings an element of theatre to the meal. The setting within the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental adds a formal hotel-restaurant backdrop, making the venue suited to diners looking for a polished Japanese meal with a clear culinary focus.

The restaurant also reflects Ross Shonhan’s experience of travelling across Japan. That influence is expressed through the attention given to the cooking method and the way the menu presents Japanese flavours. Warayaki is the defining thread, giving the restaurant a distinct identity within the wider dining options at Emirates Palace.

Strawfire suits occasions where the preparation and technique are part of the appeal, from a considered meal for two to a group gathering organised around shared dishes. Diners interested in Japanese cuisine, straw-fired cooking or smoky flavour profiles will find the restaurant’s concept easy to understand. Reservations, dietary requirements, seating preferences and group arrangements can be confirmed with the restaurant before a visit.