Underground izakaya Papi Katsu to open in the heart of the Perth CBD

When Subiaco’s Shui opened back in December of 2022, owner Ben Tua unveiled an ambitious plan to open 10 new venues in the next three years.

Whether or not that’s a foolhardy ambition, we can’t help but appreciate Tua’s gumption to face Perth’s hospitality landscape head-on… And we certainly won’t complain when we’re snacking and sipping at said venues.

Now under the official umbrella of hospitality group Sesh Mafia, the latest addition to their ranks is Papi Katsu: a subterranean izakaya merging a cyberpunk aesthetic with a refined sense of fun about to open in Brookfield Place.

“Papi Katsu is different from anything we’ve done before,” explains Tua.

“We’ve all been working together in the industry for decades and are at the point in our careers where we just want to have fun with it. The tongue-in-cheek name, phenomenal menu, cyberpunk-inspired interiors and world-class service… We’re trying to create a space where it’s all about having a good time, no matter the occasion.”

At its culinary helm is Chase Weber, who recently joined the group as Culinary Director after a decade-long run with the Parker Group (The Standard, The Royal, Dandelion, Busselton Pavilion and more), who will be working closely with Sesh Mafia’s longstanding chef Leigh Power.

Together, they’ll be putting their own spin on traditional Japanese fare, with a focus on utilising fresh, local seafood – think open-faced prawn katsu sandwiches, daily sashimi plates and temaki, or poached yabbies served with milk bread.

Hankering for something more substantial? Feast on saikyo miso glazed toothfish, roasted duck breast with maitake mushrooms and mandarin oil – or save up all your pennies for the $750 one kilo steak… A5 Japanese wagyu, of course. (“Colossal quantities” of caviar, whole roasted duck and “super-sized lobster” will all also be available to pre-order.)

Not fancy enough for you? Find yourself in one of the three 20-person private dining rooms, or the 4.5 metre omakase table to truly level up your dining experience.

You can expect to wash all of this down with a drinks menu developed by Sesh Mafia’s master mixologist Eoin Kenny. Inspired by Japan’s robust and precise drinking culture, a dedicated highball and martini menu will be made with clear block ice and ice carving, alongside Japanese lagers, sake and local wine.

Papi Katsu will be open May 30 for dinner only, with lunch service running from June 10. Bookings are open via the Papi Katsu website from May 21.

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Image credits: Ben Davidson