THE ROOM BY KOZEEN SHIWAN

Chef Kozeen Shiwan’s culinary autobiography unfolds at THE ROOM, an intimate counter where Middle Eastern heritage is filtered through a rigorous Nordic lens in Helsinki. The theatrical eight-course tasting menu is a narrative journey, featuring signature dishes like the King Potato, which pairs the humble tuber with a vibrant mango sauce and delicate roe. The Made in Suleymaniah course showcases a fermented hummus of exceptional depth, its creamy texture punctuated by the sharp acidity of house-made pickles. Technique is paramount here; oyster mushrooms are smoked over juniper butter to impart a resinous, forest-floor aroma, while white fish is enhanced with the warming notes of cardamom oil. Each plate is served on custom-made ceramics, emphasizing a presentation that is as much art as it is sustenance. The result is a bold, emotional exploration of identity, where the charred edges of memory meet the pristine, cold-water ingredients of the Finnish landscape.