Kimtxu

The story

Kimtxu: Basque-Asian Fusion in Bilbao | Michelin Bib Gourmand

Kimtxu, taberna asiática

In the heart of Bilbao, on Calle Henao, Kimtxu brings a distinct point of view to the city’s dining scene. This is a taberna asiática, a Basque-Asian tavern where the cooking is built on a clear, confident idea: local products from the Basque Country, prepared with the techniques and spirit of Asia.

Chef Iván Abril, born in Galicia near Mondariz, learned his craft in kitchens across England and China, and under masters like Martín Berasategui and Jordi Vilà. When he opened Kimtxu in 2014, he poured that experience into a project that feels personal. The result is a small, welcoming space decorated with oriental details, where the menu changes with the seasons and the market.

The cooking here is a genuine fusion, not a gimmick. Recipes are crafted with local ingredients — the fish, the vegetables, the meats of the region — and treated with Asian methods. The kitchen’s skill with texture and depth of flavour has earned steady recognition: Michelin awarded it a Bib Gourmand (first in 2023, renewed for 2026) for good quality, good value cooking. It also appears in the Top 25 of the Guía Macarfi and is recommended by the Guía Repsol.

Kimtxu serves lunch Tuesday through Saturday, and dinner Wednesday through Saturday. A tasting menu is available, and the kitchen asks that it be ordered at least 15 minutes before closing. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service direct, and the cooking speaks for itself.