About Otera
Otera, in the Japanese language, means “A temple”. In an introspective sense, is how we select our inner thoughts to find harmony.
We believe this journey begins in the temple.
Otera brings about a sense of harmony in every pastry and dessert. It is a dessert destination specialised in umami desserts where sweet meets savoury and where sugar is treated as spices to be sprinkled on lightly. It is the first brand to debut the “umami-inspired dessert dinner” concept as a full-course meal from Hong Kong to Japan, putting umami desserts on the map.
Its immersive brand experience to bring a sense of harmony from interior, and customer service to packaging design earned Otera the Grand Design of the Year 2024 by HKDA Brand Design Award.
Joanna Yuen
Led by Chef Joanna Yuen, she applies her belief to “underpromise on presentation and over-delivers on substance” as she started Otera in 2023. She strips away any element that does not add value to a dish and favour “elimination over addition” in her designs. These principles are highlighted in the signature flan cake series and the dessert-inspired dinners titled “ UNSUNG”, earning Chef Yuen the La Liste’s Pastry Talent of the Year 2024.
Previously, she worked in Landmark Mandarin Oriental, The Ocean by Olivier Bellin, NOBU and Ando, earning Yuen two Best Pastry Chef Awards by Tatler Dining in 2020 and 2022.
Her work has been widely featured in leading lifestyle publications such as Tatler Hong Kong, Vogue Hong Kong, South China Morning Post etc.