Overlooking the golden sands of Salgados Beach, this stunning venue sets a new standard for immersive dining, where flavour, artistry, and ambience combine in spectacular fashion.

The name KAN.JO draws inspiration from the Japanese word for "emotion”, a fitting tribute to a restaurant designed to stimulate the senses. From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that every detail has been meticulously curated. The sophisticated interior fuses minimalist Japanese elegance with the bold energy of modern Asia, all enhanced by panoramic views of the Atlantic.


A Toast to the Evening

Guests were welcomed with a selection of KAN.JO’s signature cocktails, specially curated to reflect the restaurant’s creative ethos and Asian inspiration.

The Matcha Margarita was a standout, a twist on the classic cocktail, it combined green tea matcha, shiso liqueur, and yuzu for a bold herbal complexity, topped with a striking seaweed air foam sourced from local Algarve algae. It was as visually intriguing as it was flavourful.

The Yuzu Sake Spritz offered a more delicate refreshment, a balanced blend of Yuzu sake, sparkling water, elderflower liqueur, and a touch of cava, served over ice and elegantly garnished with fresh cucumber and mint. Its citrus brightness made it the perfect aperitif on a warm summer evening.

Credits: TPN; Author: Lucy Musk;

For those opting for alcohol-free options, the Lychee Lemonade didn’t disappoint. This 0% cocktail is blended lychee juice, rose water, and dragon fruit lemonade, served over a single large ice cube and adorned with edible flower petals and pickled ginger. It was fragrant, sophisticated, and completely in keeping with the aesthetic and attention to detail seen throughout the evening.

These drinks were not only refreshing but complemented the menu’s flavour profiles, offering a seamless entry into the culinary journey that followed.

A Journey Through Flavour

At the helm of KAN.JO is Head Chef Wilson Costa, whose culinary vision fuses traditional Asian techniques with bold Portuguese influences. With years of international experience and a passion for creative flavour pairings, Chef Costa has designed a menu that is both refined and daring, a celebration of fusion that reflects the multicultural spirit of modern gastronomy.

Credits: TPN; Author: Lucy Musk;

The highlight of the evening was, of course, the food. Guests were taken on a carefully crafted culinary journey across Japan, China, Korea and Portugal being treated to a meticulously curated tasting experience, beginning with an Omakase selection of Amberjack, Tuna, and Salmon, followed by an artful trio of cold starters: Smoked Eel Tartlets, Octopus & Amberjack Fish, and a delicate Fish Coconut Sauce with Ají Amarillo & Oscietra Caviar.

Rolls were a standout, particularly the Tuna Hosomaki with Shiso & Umeboshi and the Sunomono Futomaki with Black Mushroom & Takuan, showcased balance and freshness, while warm starters brought surprising and delightful combinations. The Shrimp Spring Roll with Spicy Pineapple Sauce offered a tropical twist, and delivered crisp textures with rich, savoury depth. The standout was the Mushrooms with Okonomi Sauce, earthy, fragrant, and comforting, evoking the soul of East Asian home cooking elevated to fine dining standards.

Signature Mains and Inspired Sides

For mains, the menu offered bold reinterpretations of Portuguese ingredients with Asian flair. The Grilled Squid with Spinach Purée & Edamame balanced sea flavours beautifully, while the 48-hour Braised Short Ribs melted off the fork and paired decadently with a sticky hoisin glaze.

Credits: TPN; Author: Lucy Musk;

Side dishes were far from an afterthought. The Fried Rice with Egg & Furikake added an herbaceous and crunchy depth, and the Braised Cauliflower with Matcha Butter & Seaweed turned a humble vegetable into a rich, umami-packed delight.

Dessert rounded off the evening with a satisfying contrast, a Rice Pudding with Soy Butterscotch and Sake Ice Cream, offering a not-too-sweet, smoky, and aromatic finale to an unforgettable meal.

More Than a Meal

According to Pedro Neto, General Manager of the Algarve Marriott Salgados Resort & Spa, KAN.JO is “more than just a restaurant, it’s a contemporary hotspot where Asian culinary artistry meets Portuguese excellence and a spirit of irreverence.”

The setting, high above the Salgados coastline, is equally enticing for a full evening of dining or a relaxed cocktail at sunset. It’s a venue that caters as much to the cosmopolitan foodie as it does to resort guests looking to elevate their Algarve experience.

KAN.JO is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 19h00 to midnight, offering both à la carte and curated tasting menus. With its daring concept, refined execution, and striking location, KAN.JO is already positioning itself as one of the Algarve’s most exciting dining destinations of 2025.

KAN.JO – Algarve Marriott Salgados Resort & Spa
Herdade dos Salgados, Guia, Albufeira, 8200-424
Reservations: +351 289 244 310
Instagram: @kan.jo_salgados