Pattaya’s dining scene is getting another taste of Japan, this time with a little more smoke, sake and late-night atmosphere. Meliá Pattaya Hotel is reinventing its DEN restaurant as a contemporary Japanese izakaya, replacing its previous Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei concept with a menu built around charcoal grilling, small plates and the sociable traditions of Tokyo’s after-dark dining culture.

In Japan, an izakaya is more than simply a restaurant. It’s a place where friends and colleagues gather after work, order drinks, share a succession of dishes and settle in for an evening without the formality of traditional fine dining.

DEN’s new direction embraces that spirit, combining premium Japanese ingredients with a casual, communal approach to eating. The atmosphere is also changing, with Japanese city pop and contemporary music providing the soundtrack alongside sake, Japanese highballs and freshly poured beer.

A Little Tokyo After Dark

At the heart of the new menu is a charcoal-fired robata grill, where skewers of chicken, pork, Wagyu beef, seafood and vegetables take centre stage.

The kitchen is also introducing dishes designed for sharing, including spicy chicken karaage, fried Wagyu gyoza and a selection of sushi rolls.

While the inspiration is distinctly Japanese, DEN isn’t abandoning its international influences entirely.

Meliá’s Spanish heritage appears in sweet potato fries served with Romesco mayonnaise, while aburi shime saba, or flame-seared marinated mackerel, arrives on crispy Japanese rice with tomato salsa and extra virgin olive oil.

There’s a Thai influence, too, with tuna and red snapper rolls accompanied by coconut sauce.

It’s an approach that reflects Pattaya’s increasingly international dining landscape, where chefs frequently combine traditional techniques with ingredients and flavours from other culinary cultures.

Sake, Skewers and a Four-Course Introduction

The restaurant will introduce its new identity on October 30, 2026, with a four-course dinner highlighting its menu and Japanese sake pairings.

The evening begins with edamame, sweet potato fries, fried Wagyu gyoza and aburi shime saba served on crispy rice.

Seafood follows, with hand-sliced salmon crudo, salmon and tuna croquetas, and assorted sushi rolls.

The main attraction is a selection of grilled skewers featuring chicken thigh, Kurobuta pork, Wagyu striploin, Saikyo miso grouper and vegetables. Yuzu sake sherbet provides a refreshing finish.

Japanese sake, selected in collaboration with beverage distributor Italasia, will accompany each course.

The dinner runs from 7pm to 9pm and costs THB 1,990++ per adult and THB 995++ for children aged five to 12.

Making Yakitori a Weekend Ritual

Beyond the opening dinner, DEN is introducing a regular weekend dining experience designed around one of Japan’s most popular casual foods.

Beginning in November, Yakitori Matsuri will offer unlimited Japanese-style grilled skewers every Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm.

Diners can choose from chicken, pork, Wagyu beef, seafood and vegetables, accompanied by sharing dishes such as fried rice, edamame and sweet potato fries.

The experience costs THB 990 net per adult and THB 495 net for children aged five to 12, including free-flow cold brew tea.

It’s a format well suited to the izakaya philosophy: order a few skewers, share some dishes, enjoy a drink and keep the evening moving at your own pace.

For Pattaya, a destination long associated with an energetic nightlife scene and an increasingly diverse restaurant offering, DEN’s transformation adds another option for visitors looking for something between a casual dinner and a formal dining experience.

And while the restaurant may be located inside an international hotel, the idea behind it is unmistakably Japanese.

Good food, good drinks and the pleasure of spending an evening around a table with friends.

Dining information: DEN is located at Meliá Pattaya Hotel. Reservations can be made by calling +66 (0) 33 168 555 or emailing fb.co@meliapattaya.com.