KATANA
Asian Cuisine
We travel the world in search of inspiration and knowledge, bringing back unique ingredients, tools, and ideas to create dishes that are innovative, extraordinary, and entirely our own – honoring the flavors of Asia while adding our personal touch to everything we do.
At Katana, we see dining as a passionate experience — personal, creative, and full of care, bringing people together through flavor, atmosphere, and shared moments. Set in the tropical beauty of Santa Teresa, Katana was founded in 2014 and has become an institution. The name Katana reflects what we value most in our craft: precision, respect and tradition.
Our Sources
We prioritize local sourcing whenever possible, working closely with Costa Rican farmers and fishermen who share our standards and values.
Our ingredients include pastured chicken, grass-fed beef, and locally caught fish sourced exclusively from Costa Rican waters.
Key aromatics such as kaffir lime and galangal are grown specifically for us on local farms in Costa Rica, ensuring freshness and authenticity from the source.
When an ingredient cannot be sourced locally at the quality we require, it is carefully and exclusively imported to complete the dish as intended — never as a compromise, but as a commitment to precision and flavor.
Our Team
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Cooking, for me, has always been more than just preparing food — it’s a form of expression, a dialogue without words. After 25 years as a chef, I’ve developed my own culinary language, shaped by my travels, the flavors I’ve encountered, and the memories I’ve gathered along the way.
Each dish I create carries a piece of my journey, a reflection of countless hours spent refining my craft. When my flavors meet your senses, it’s not only about the ingredients; it’s about connection, trust, and the story behind every bite.
Cooking is the sum of everything I’ve learned — my experiences, my love for food, and the passion that drives me to create. Every bite is meant to tell a story, evoke an emotion, or share a memory. My goal is to go beyond your expectations, offering not just a meal, but an experience filled with heart, energy, and artistry.
Alex Nikolsky
Executive chef
Since 2014
