La COCO — Restaurant in Barcelona

This place is often described as fusion cuisine, but I would say it’s much more Japanese in style. It’s very close to where we live, and I made a reservation in advance—which turned out to be a great decision. Without a booking, it would be hard to get a table, as the space is quite small, with only three or four tables. That’s also why the food is so refined—it’s not mass-produced like in larger restaurants.

Tonight, I only saw two Japanese ladies working: one in the kitchen and one doing the front of house. The hostess was warm and gentle. The menu is available in Spanish, English, and Japanese.

For starters, I chose a mix of Japanese edamame and a tofu-chicken spread served on toasted bread. The edamame was stir-fried in soy sauce, but not too salty. The tofu-chicken spread was very light in flavor, which I really liked.

There were four main dishes available tonight, and I tried three of them: the Japanese and Korean-style fried chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy inside—my kids loved it. The pork was also very tasty. I don’t usually like pork because of the smell, but this dish had absolutely no unpleasant odor.

Our absolute favorite was the oxtail. It was fall-off-the-bone tender, rich in flavor, and absolutely delicious. Even my two picky daughters loved it. We’ve had bad oxtail before in other countries—tough and hard to chew—which made me avoid ordering it for years. But this one was on a whole different level.

The desserts were very unique. The ginger ice cream had a distinctive taste—if you don’t like ginger, it’s probably not for you. But my younger daughter didn’t realize it was made from ginger; she just found it special and ate quite a bit. Personally, I loved the black sesame cheesecake. It wasn’t overly sweet, had a rich nutty flavor, and was perfectly balanced. If you like black sesame, this is a...

La Coco in Barcelona offers one of the most heartfelt atmospheres I've ever experienced. From the moment you step inside, the minimalistic, orderly, and impeccably clean space envelops you with warmth. The food, quite literally, is mind-blowing. La Coco's culinary philosophy is a fusion of Catalan and Japanese cuisine, blending the best of both worlds with utmost respect for ingredients. The creativity and craftsmanship shine through, with Chef Joan subtly weaving his artistic gestures into the finer details of each dish. We opted for the large tasting menu, and despite my girlfriend's allergy to fish, the chef expertly adapted the dishes on the spot, delivering an exceptional harmony. Chef Joan is nothing short of a genius, creating flavors that are perfectly balanced — neither too much nor too little — each bite feels like an exploration of something entirely new, yet deeply rooted in the chef's profound respect for tradition and culture of Japan and Catalonia. One standout for me was the oyster served with rosemary ice cream. With a single bite, it felt as though I was tasting the entire essence of Costa Brava. The wine selection is also commendable. We opted for a natural wine, and the recommendation of owner Miki complemented our meal beautifully plus her hospital and friendly service makes everything better. I’m already eagerly looking forward to returning to experience their upcoming...

La coco offers a unique menu combining Catalan, Bask and Japanese cuisine. Every dish is thought through, special and an experience in itself. The chef Joan puts his heart in creating a changing menu depending on seasonality, takes time to explain what is served and makes this dining experience unforgettable for you. Service is great, and the atmosphere cosy and intimate with only a few tables and some chill background music. Highly recommend to go if you look for some excellent dining off the...