João Duarte
In the vibrant streets of Alvalade, the buzzing urban landscape has its own temple of gastronomy, Soão Taberna Asiática. Weaving together a patchwork of different cultures, the restaurant is a melting pot where culinary traditions from countries such as Japan, India, China, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia and Laos converge. But Soão is more than a meeting place for Asian flavours, it is the vision and dream of the Seame Group, which, together with Sea Me - Peixaria Moderna and Next Door, takes Lisbon’s gastronomy scene to a whole new level with a bold, innovative and refined concept.
Innovation, tradition and flavour from João Duarte
Chef João Duarte, the man behind this culinary voyage, has been at the helm of Soão for two years, navigating the challenge of representing the grandeur of Asian cuisine in his dishes. With a career that includes a stint at Midori—where his passion for Asian cuisine began—and having worked in prestigious kitchens, Duarte has created a menu for Soão that is steeped in innovation and tradition.
At Soão produce takes centre stage. To do so, Duarte says that he has “daily contact with producers” to ensure the freshness and utmost quality of the raw ingredients, mirroring the agricultural legacy that Duarte inherited from his family, who worked in farming.
Mushroom bao
The restaurant’s bar, which sits 14 diners, is an irresistible window to the sea, with fish from Nazaré, the Azores and Peniche. Its star dishes, such as the champagne dim sum and the crab gua bao, are testament to the chef’s constant quest for innovation and excellence. This can be seen in creations such as the beef tataki with Japanese potato purée and the onigiris, which sit alongside classics such as tom yum soup. Each dish made by Soão is a story of flavour, an edible poem that weaves together ingredients, techniques and passion – lots and lots of passion.
The restaurant’s décor invites diners to embark on a journey to the East. Featuring unique pieces created by the skilled hands of Portuguese craftspeople, each corner is a tribute to Asian culture and aesthetics. The ground floor beats to the rhythm of an authentic Asian tavern while the lower floor, the Bafon Oriental, bids you to immerse yourself in a world of decadent luxury, which perfectly encapsulates the Asian continent.
Tea-based pairings
The sommelier Sebastian Filgueiras compliments Soão’s symphony of flavours with a selection of teas from the Portuguese Tea Company. From Japanese sencha to kukicha roasted rice tea, each one has been carefully chosen to bring out the flavours of the dishes with which they are paired, creating an experience that, on the palette, is a true interplay of aromas and flavours.
Dinning room
Soão’s challenges: strengthening and expansion
Duarte claims that he does not think about the future. For him, the present is the essence of his art. When the now is full of so many possibilities, there is no time to dream about the future. With an eye on expanding the brand and holding onto an even more diverse clientele, both local and international, Duarte and Seame Group are riding high, anticipating further strengthening of the brand and its expansion.
Soão is much more than a restaurant, it is a journey of the senses, a voyage that takes in different landscapes of flavour, where each dish is a stop-off on a gourmet odyssey. Chef João Duarte and his team have created a place where the frenetic pace and the decadent luxury sit side-by-side, where each meal is a unique, memorable and immersive experience.
Private room
At Soão, tradition and modernity go hand-in-hand, inviting diners to be part of a story that transcends cooking: an experience that celebrates the culture, culinary heritage and craftsmanship of Asia. And in doing so, Soão Taberna Asiática stands as a true icon of diversity and quality: a must-visit culinary destination in the heart of Lisbon.
