Busaba launches Japanese izakaya-inspired little sister brand in Oxford

Bangkok eatery group Busaba has launched new ‘little sister’ brand Ajia, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar inspired by Japanese izakaya, in Oxford this week.

Ajia, which translates as Asia in Japanese, has opened in the basement of Busaba’s Oxford restaurant, offering a menu including 16 cocktails inspired by the flavours of Japan, Korea and Thailand.

The list will include Orenji (Beefeater blood orange gin, Triple Sec, orange and pineapple juice); Eldersour (Beefeater gin, pear liqueur, elderflower syrup and lime juice); Plum Negroni (plum sake, Campari and sweet Vermouth); and Watermelon Oishi (Beefeater pink gin, vodka, watermelon soda, lime juice and sugar).

Small plates and nibbles will include Taiwanese bao buns and Korean fried chicken burgers.

Neve Rabbou, Busaba marketing director, said: “This has been, by far, one of the most exciting branding and concept projects I have worked on. Oxford has an amazing food and drink scene and when we saw the space we knew that it was an opportunity to push the boundaries and do something super creative.

"It felt natural to team up with creative powerhouse Paul Belford, who was paramount in our rebrand in 2019. Ajia was born from our love of all things Asia and we wanted to create a fun, but classy concept that was similar to Izakayas and the various adaptations of them.”