Chef Víctor Planas redefines Japanese cuisine at Kensei restaurant at Bahía del Duque in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.
At the heart of Bahía del Duque, there is a place where Japanese precision and a chef’s creativity meet the most carefully sourced ingredients. It is called Kensei, and it is far more than a Japanese restaurant in Tenerife: it is an experience that transforms every bite into an act of fine dining.
With one Sol Repsol and four consecutive years recommended by the Michelin Guide, Kensei has established itself as one of the leading references for signature dining in Tenerife and one of the most singular restaurants in the south of the island.
Víctor Planas: the chef behind Kensei
The story of Kensei cannot be told without that of its executive chef and partner, Víctor Planas. A disciple of masters in Japan and at Kabuki for over a decade, with more than twenty years of experience and a training that took him through ten Michelin-starred restaurants, Planas arrived on the island with a clear vision: to reinterpret the gastronomic legacy of Japan with absolute respect for the ingredient and the precision of technique.
His philosophy connects with the Japanese concept of shokunin — that unwavering dedication to mastery where repetition does not dull, but refines. Behind every cut of sashimi, every nigiri, lie years of respect for the ingredient and a kitchen that does not transform the product: it accompanies it.
A gastronomic proposal: contemporary Japanese cuisine with a signature touch
Kensei means master swordsman — a title that honours precision, respect for the ingredient and skill taken to the extreme. Every detail reflects that philosophy, from the impeccable cut of a sashimi to the soy sauce and condiments crafted in-house.
The menu at Kensei is an invitation to explore Japanese gastronomy from a contemporary and personal perspective. Its dishes move between tradition and the chef’s own creative vision, with ingredients of the highest quality treated with the precision that characterises his cooking.
Among its most representative creations are the red prawn nigiri, a bite where the natural sweetness of the ingredient meets Japanese technique; the Kagoshima A5 Wagyu and foie gras nigiri, where the exceptional marbling of the wagyu meets the creaminess of the foie in a piece of pure character; and the carabinero uramaki, finished at the table with a sauce crafted from the essence of its head, tentsuyu, ginger water, lemon and olive oil.
The desserts hold that same level of narrative. The chocolate Daruma pays homage to the Japanese amulet of perseverance: chocolate, smoked cheese ice cream, caramelised nuts and a touch of Cointreau — a finish of distinct character.
Chef’s Menu: where every dish tells its own story
For those wishing to discover the most personal signature of Víctor Planas, the Chef’s Menu is the most complete option. A sequence of dishes where technique, creativity and respect for the ingredient converge in a fine dining experience designed to surprise at every step.
The cellar: over 900 references
The Kensei experience is completed by a drinks offering that matches its kitchen. Over 900 cellar references, signature sakes, Japanese-influenced cocktails and Japanese whiskies accompany each dish in a pairing designed to bring out every nuance of the menu.
Kensei at Bahía del Duque
Kensei is located at Bahía del Duque, a privileged setting that places the restaurant at the heart of Costa Adeje, just steps from the beach and surrounded by the tropical gardens and 19th-century Canarian architecture that define the hotel.
Bahía del Duque is a gastronomic destination of reference in Tenerife, with an offering that ranges from the Michelin-starred Nub to the Franco-Belgian cuisine of La Brasserie by Pierre Résimont and the Mediterranean concept of Upalupa Moments & Tastes. Kensei completes that culinary universe, bringing the precision and depth of contemporary Japanese fine dining to a luxury setting with over thirty years of history on the island.
The restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 18:00 to 22:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays also for lunch from 13:30 to 15:00.
Book your table: reservations@kenseijapanesetenerife.com · Tel. +34 822 62 11 33