Shaking Up Wafu Italian

Chef Robbie Felice isn’t just cooking food—he’s redefining what happens when East meets West. His Wafu Italian style takes traditional Italian dishes and flips the script with Japanese flavor, technique, and sensibility.

“It’s what you’d find in an Italian restaurant in Tokyo,” says Chef Robbie. “It’s Italian through a Japanese lens—with mad respect for both sides.”

What started as a pandemic-era pop-up has become a culinary cult movement. From New York and LA to Seattle and Miami, his pastaRAMEN dinners sell out fast—and push boundaries even faster.

Now, Chef Robbie has brought his latest vision to Las Vegas, the city where he spent some of his early years in the kitchen. The exclusive pop-up is housed at Bar Zazu—one of the Strip’s buzziest spots—with just 100 seats per night, sake pairings from Japan’s top breweries, and a menu packed with bold umami and seasonal flavor.

And yes, Kikkoman is right there in the mix.

From the very start, Chef Robbie has been a part of the Kikkoman Kitchen Cabinet—our chef-led advisory circle—and one of the brand’s most passionate champions. “Kikkoman is my ride-or-die for soy sauce,” he says. “It’s brewed the right way, full of depth and balance, and that matters when you’re building something that’s meant to surprise people.”

The Cocktail That Had the Room Buzzing

So what does a Wafu Italian cocktail look like? At the Vegas pop-up, Chef Robbie turned heads when he teamed up with Bar Zazu Brand Mixologist Derek Crow to create the Ooo-Mami D-Lite—a dessert cocktail with a savory twist.

Inspired by the classic tiramisù, Crow delivers a cocktail program that’s nothing short of showstopping. Drawing on Japanese influences, Felice and Crow crafted a menu that balances innovation, indulgence, and fun.

The Ooo-Mami D-Lite is a bold, savory-sweet blend of espresso liqueur, Irish cream, crème de cacao, and heavy cream—with one unexpected addition: a splash of Kikkoman® Traditionally Brewed Soy Sauce.

It adds depth,” says Robbie. “It brings all the sweet, rich notes into focus. That umami makes it hit differently.” Whether you’re here for dinner or just drinks, the menu is designed to pull a serious crowd to the bar – and keep them coming back.

More Cocktail Inspiration

Want to take your cocktail game to the next level? Kikkoman® Soy Sauce, Teriyaki, and other signature sauces can add bold flavor and smooth balance to your bar program. For more ideas, check out Kikkoman Executive Chef Andrew Hunter’s guide to fat-washing, plus these head-turning drink recipes: Peking Duck Cocktail, Jun Michelada

Peeking Duck Cocktail

Soy Sauce

Jun Michelada

Gluten-Free Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce