Gastronome Grill & Bistro is a home away from home, for the staff members and everyone who steps in from the doors.
Together the staff members created a place where every dish served was a mosaic of their collective experiences, a place that wasn’t just a restaurant but a destination where every meal was a journey, and every flavour told a story of unity and love.
And so, Gastronome Grill & Bistro became not just one person’s dream, but a shared canvas where each stroke was a spice, each colour a taste, and the masterpiece was a testament to Asian food in North Karelia simmering together in one hot pot. 🍜🌏
Chef Kenji Virtanen
is the heart of Gastronome Grill & Bistro. Half Japanese, half Finnish, he weaves the culinary threads of his heritage into a tapestry of flavors. Raised in the kitchens of Helsinki and Tokyo, Kenji’s dishes are a dialogue between cultures, inviting diners on a journey from the serene Finnish lakes to the vibrant heart of Japan. His cherished dish is the Signature Tonkotsu Ramen.
Check his recipe for Tonkotsu Ramen from the blog!
Meet Lani Ahonen, our Grill Master at Gastronome Grill & Bistro. A blend of Fijian warmth and Finnish resilience, Lani’s passion for grilling is matched only by her love story that brought her to Finland. Her fiery grilling techniques and island-spiced flavors are the soul of our kitchen, igniting taste buds and hearts alike. Her favourite dish is her signature dish; the Tandoori Salmon.
Check how to make the juiciest Tandoori Salmon at home from the blog!
Sophia Leung is the Floor Manager who brings a touch of Hong Kong’s hustle to the serene Finnish setting of Gastronome Grill & Bistro. A student turned local, her story is one of curiosity turned to love, both for her studies and the land she now calls home. Her management style is a fusion of East meets North, creating harmony on the floor. Her absolute favourite dish are the fluffy Char Siu Baos.
Check the blog on how to make your own steamed pork buns!
Introducing Joonas Park, our esteemed Head Server at Gastronome Grill & Bistro. Joonas bridges the gap between Seoul’s dynamic energy and Finland’s tranquil spirit. After completing his Bachelor’s in Seoul, he returned to Finland, where he found love and a calling in hospitality, serving up a blend of Nordic charm and Korean courtesy. 🍽️🇫🇮🇰🇷 His heart belongs partially to the spicy Chikin.
Spicy fried chicken fans, check on the blog how to make your own!
Eeva Korhonen, the visionary founder of Gastronome Grill & Bistro and Kuura Cha, is a Finnish epicurean whose heart belongs to the bustling streets and serene tea rooms of Northeast Asia.
After 13 years of living in Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan, Eeva returned to Joensuu, bringing with her a treasure trove of culinary and cultural experiences. Eeva envisioned a sanctuary where the flavours of Northeast Asia would resonate amidst the Finnish landscape, a culinary haven ”Gastronome Grill & Bistro NEA” for Asian food in North Karelia offering a nostalgic retreat for others who share her affection for Asian cuisine. 🍜🍵🌏
Kuura Cha was born, as a tribute to the lands that shaped her culinary journey. A modern space where guests can savour the rituals of tea. It’s the place where she now dedicates her expertise to the tranquil tea salon upstairs, reminiscent of the peaceful retreats she cherished across Asia. 🍵🌸
If she isn’t enjoying the city life in Joensuu, she most likely is enjoying the new finds and adventures in Japan, Korea or Hong Kong, always bringing back new ideas and experimental dish innovations with her.
Welcome to our home – Gastronome Grill & Bistro!
From the moment you step through our doors, we hope you feel the embrace of comfort, just like coming home. Our passion is not only in the dishes we craft with care but also in the memories you create around our tables.
As you savour each bite, let the ambience envelop you in warmth, and may the flavours transport you to a place of contentment. Here, every meal is a celebration of togetherness.
We are more than a restaurant; we are a gathering place for friends and family, old and new. So, relax and enjoy! After all, you’re not just guests; you’re part of our extended family.
Hyvää ruokahalua – いただきます – 맛있게 드세요 – 食好啲!
