Era increíble!! If you get the chance to visit Kokken please go. As an American tourist it was so cool to eat a fusion of basque, asian, and Latin American cuisines. It is omakase style and you choose if you want small 4 plate style, medium 6 plate, or large 8. The menu changes every day so it's a surprise but it is INCREDIBLE! Each dish had so much flavor bursting and flavors contrasting in a great way. Our waitress was fantastic too and took note of any allergies or things we didn't like in order to alter the food so it was perfect for us. Overall AMAZING place to eat in Bilbao and a must try. read more

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i thought the idea and concept was super cool. overall execution was not the best. the food wasn't bad but wasn't spectacular. it was all asian fusion but could be done better. i might've just gotten a less fortunate surprise but my personal experience wasn't the best. my favorite was the peach yogurt but it had a salty sauce on it which wasn't my favorite. the shu mai was very chewy and overall not that flavorful or tender. service was great and attentive but was just not the biggest fan of the food. would recommend hitting up kunel donburi close by for better authentic asian food. read more

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We didn't know Kokken serves meals "omakase" style. We were surprised by how good each course was. First course was bonito del Norte tuna with ginger mayo, onion sauce, dehydrated black olive crumbs, togarashi, black sesame, and micro greens on top Second course - basque chorizo croquettes Third course - delicate pieces of giant squid with teriyaki sauce, garlic mayo and chopped almonds; jellyfish on top Fourth course - blue corn taco with slow cooked pork ribs, Mexican corn fungus(cuitlacoche) black sauce, pickled onion Fifth course - shrimp dim sum style with sauce flavored from shrimp heads Sixth course - monkfish with a nori panko crust with pimiento sauce and oyster mayo Dessert was strawberries poached in vinegar, pepper, and brown sugar with white chocolate mousse and almond brûlée. read more

Aha, I didn't pick up from the other reviews that the Omikase (chef's choice) was the only choice. There's no menu, as the friendly hostess explains, "We surprise you". I'm writing this as the surprise unfolds. So far, so good. They serve a carafe of the fine local aqua del grifo and don't push bottled water (a real waste of energy and cash) and have excellent bread - maybe the best I've had in three weeks in Spain. The plan is you start with the short menu at 18.50, if still hungry, move on to medium at 23.50, and if really hungry, the long at 28.50. See the photo of the chalkboard menu. Two courses in, this is a awesome place. With an excellent rock n roll mix playing too. This isn't pinxto style with sticks in the food. Course 1 was delicate perfectly cooked salmon with a killer sauce, fresh herbs and tomatoes. I licked the plate (with bread, but you get the idea). Second course was a stunningly good mushroom and egg risotto. Third is cuttlefish, perfectly done with another awesome sauce - substantial portion, like the others. I've got to ease up on the bread and sauce routine to go to (at least) the medium level. I spent years living at the high end of the expense account food chain, and the food here is every bit as good. Unusual, imaginative and awesome! Third course is a decent sized piece of perfectly done flank steak with another great sauce, not as off the chart fabulous as the others but on the chart fabulous. The hostess tells me that's the end of of the short menu road. I'm pretty full, but will keep going to medium for the greater glory of Yelp. The things people do for social media! In the US, the decor would be mini-mall modern. There's a nice stuffed moose head mounted on the wall. See photos. One thing I noticed during those years of platinum card business dinners was that almost all of the restaurants with nose bleed prices had great decor, but many had real ho-hum food. Kokken is the opposite. Course four is cod, wrapped in some leaf, and perfectly steamed, with an ok sauce. The weakest dish so far. Didn't stop me from finishing it, though. I'll have distilled water for breakfast. 'Wish I went easier on the bread earlier. One to go, and dessert. Unless it's kibble and bits, this is the best $30 dinner I've ever had. Last plate is shredded veal in a pastry crust, over escarole with a curry sauce. Another winner. I'm stuffed. As a sometimes "reducitarian" asked about vegetarian and seafood only restricted menus. They can do vegetarian with a day or two notice, and seafood up to the medium (5 course) plan. Dessert just arrived. The bread pudding of the gods! Chef school whipped cream and liqueur sauce. Roll me out of here. Any way to give six stars? [Note dinner hours are 8:30 to 11] read more

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Stumbled on to Kokken with no prior planning. What luck! The "Surprise Menu" offers 4, 6 or 8 dishes (your choice) plus postres. Every dish was fabulous with the squid a standout. Washed down with some excellent Txakoli. Attentive, friendly staff. Most enjoyable meal I had in Basque Country. read more

This restaurant offers a surprise tasting menu. You tell them your allergies and they take it from there. After four or five courses you have the option of stopping or continuing to the medium or large tasting menu. The food was good. If pressed I might complain that it was strongly slanted to fish and meat. read more

Certainly one of the highlights of our week in Bilbao, and a statement on its culinary scene. Creative, friendly service and delicious attempts in omakase-style tapas. In such a competitive region, Kokken get 5 stars from us. read more

Deliciously fresh and creative tasting menu. Service was great!