Nakumbuka Overview:

March 25, 2009

Nakumbuka, opened in early 2008, launched an appealing mix of Brazilian bar fare and Japanese cuisine in the restaurant area known as Alameda Rebelinho, located in the Pina district in South Recife.

The name of the bar (an inadvertent coincidence with the Swahili term) playfully turns a Brazilian Portuguese phrase (na cumbuca, or "in the bowl") into a Japanese-sounding word.


The menu is signed by chef Alexandre Faeirstein, one of the Nakumbuka owners. His restaurant Kojima is across the street. Both places were designed by Zezinho Santos and Turíbio Santos, who made Nakumbuka laid-back, yet elegant.

Nakumbuka Menu:

For R$29,90 (a little over $13) you can help yourself freely to anything on the Nakumbuka menu. The bar has a good selection of sushi and sashimi. For a local accent, try them made from common snook (camurim).

Then there are the petiscos, or appetizers, in the best Brazilian bar tradition, but often with a light Japanese twist. For example, you can have a traditional coxinha, or one filled with sun-dried meat and coalho cheese, two Northeastern favorites. But you can also try a version filled with octopus or another with prawn, nira and cream cheese.

Japan and Brazil meet in the fish or prawn caldinhos, or broths. Nakumbuka also serves empadas, here filled with codfish, prawn, and moqueca. There's also an open empada with queijo do reino (similar to Edam cheese).

Chef Faeirstein's tostex (grilled sandwich) is famous, round shaped and filled with creative combinations such as lamb roast beef and shiitake.

Nakumbuka Drinks:

Yes, you'll find sake and sake fruit cocktails (sakeroskas) at Nakumbuka. There are also specialty beers - including Devassa, Baden Baden and Einsenbahn from Blumenau.

Accessibility:

Nakumbuka is not universally designed; restrooms are not adapted for wheelchair users. See Nakumbuka photos by Santos & Santos for a general idea of the floor plan and access.

Nakumbuka Hours:

Mon-Thur 6p-1a
Fri-Sun 6p-last customer

Address & Contact Information:

Rua Ondina, 156 (former Faro restaurant location)
Alameda Rebelinho Restaurant District
Pina
Recife-PE
Phone: 55-81-3328-3585