The best things we ate in Canberra in 2025
Koto has been recognised by HerCanberra in its round-up of the best things the team ate in Canberra during 2025, with the restaurant’s Nasu Dengaku singled out as a standout dish of the year.
Rather than treating eggplant as a simple side, Executive Chef Shinya Nakano transforms the humble ingredient into a layered Japanese dish, combining sweet Saikyo miso with fresh basil and the crunch of macadamia and pistachio, finished with black sesame.
The Nasu Dengaku has also earned its place as a crowd favourite at Koto since the restaurant opened, with its combination of contrasting textures and flavours giving the dish a distinctive character. The fact that it is both dairy-free and vegan adds another element to its appeal.
Koto’s inclusion in HerCanberra’s selection offers a focused look at one of the dishes that made an impression on the publication’s team in 2025, showcasing how thoughtful technique and unexpected ingredients can turn a familiar vegetable into something memorable.
