Iki is known for its food, but order a cocktail too

Iki is a new restaurant on Kalevankatu in central Helsinki, and most of the talk is about the food. We went for the cocktails, and they surprised us. Three drinks from completely different flavour worlds, and every one of them was delicious.

"People easily take us for an Asian fusion restaurant, which we're not. We're an East Asian and a Nordic kitchen and restaurant at the same time," says bartender Wille Salminen.

Wille picked a snack from the menu to go with each cocktail.

Kalevankatu 1, Helsinki

Wille's three pairings

Tokyo OF and milk bread
Bourbon, toasted rice and hop bitters over one big ice cube. On the side, milk bread with bluefin tuna, duck liver cream and toasted nori butter. Familiar, safe flavours, with something new in a good way. An easy start if you know the Old Fashioned.

Togarashi Gimlet and crisp shiso
Gin, ginger, orange, sansho pepper, chilli and sesame. Wille serves it as a palate cleanser between dishes. It looks great in the glass, and you could drink any number of them. On the side, a crisp shiso leaf topped with fish tartare, yuzu mayonnaise and wasabi.

Gochujang Paloma and kimchi olives
Half tequila, half mezcal, with gochujang, lime and grapefruit. Gochujang is Korean chilli paste. This is Wille's autumn favourite: "Gentle smokiness, warming but fresh and long." The first sip takes you to Mexico, or maybe Guatemala, and then the South Korean spice kicks in. According to Wille, kimchi olives are a big trend in Korea right now. If you're hungrier, the restaurant suggests Korean-style sautéed reindeer with kimchi and pickled citrus alongside the Paloma.

Finish with sake

Wille's tip for the evening: start short and fresh, like a martini, go long in the middle with the Paloma, and finish with the house vermouth blend or sake.

There are ten sakes on the list, and three come by the glass or in a tokkuri, a small serving flask. Sake is served at around 15 degrees. Hold the cup with both hands, and pour from the tokkuri with both hands. Wille thinks the Ice Breaker is at its best over ice.

We'd start with the Paloma. And visit the bathroom: it has a ski theme, with caricatures, wooden skis and a trophy.

Weekend bar tips in your inbox every Thursday: sign up for HDF Weekend.