November Collab with 2** Mitja Birlo
A Taste of Purity: Bunzai x Mitja Birlo Collaboration Brings Fine-Dining to the Streets of Zurich
There’s something exhilarating happening in Zurich this November. At Bunzai, already hailed for delivering the city’s best smash burgers, we’re stepping up our game — and we’re not alone. We’re teaming up with none other than Mitja Birlo, the celebrated star chef behind The Counter, recently awarded two stars and crowned Gault&Millau's "Comeback of the Year." Alongside him is his wife, Florentina, who leads the front house with an effortless grace and lends her expertise to crafting innovative non-alcoholic pairings. Together, they bring a rare glimpse of fine dining to Bunzai, merging two culinary worlds in a collaboration that proves sometimes, less is infinitely more.
Mitja and Florentina Birlo presenting the “Birlo Combo” together with BUNZAI founder Mao
The Oklahoma burger, a personal favorite of Birlo’s, remains largely untouched. When a chef of Birlo’s caliber claims a burger as one of his favorites, it’s wise to take notice. “I’m a purist,” he says. So, we took a restrained approach: shredded lettuce for crunch, a touch of Birlo’s spicy mayo. Nothing more, because sometimes, simplicity is its own perfection.
The Kohlrabi marinated in yuzu juice and topped with creme-fraiche and caramelized rice pops - A true Mitja classic and one of 17 courses at “The Counter”
But where the magic truly unfolds is in the extras. Here, the fine-dining touch comes through in surprising, delightful ways. One of Mitja’s iconic fine-dining snacks — the Kohlrabi — arrives with a twist. Thin slices of kohlrabi are marinated in yuzu, topped with crème fraîche, chives, and crispy cornflake rice for a playful, accessible take on the original. At The Counter, this dish involves a meticulous process of caramelizing rice crispies, but for our “street” version, we embraced the fun of cornflake rice crispies to deliver that familiar crunch with a fresh flavor twist. It’s fine dining brought down to street level, yet it doesn’t lose an ounce of elegance.
And to drink? Florentina has reimagined one of her innovative pairings, bringing a soft drink that’s as sophisticated as it is refreshing. Her blend of matcha and pear juice, infused with andaliman pepper, balances earthy and fruity notes with a hint of spice, making it the perfect companion to our purist burger creation. It’s a taste of The Counter’s unique drink philosophy in a Bunzai-friendly format, offering layers of flavor for every sip.
“The Birlo Combo” - Spicy Oklahoma with Yuzu Kohrabi as a side and Andaliman-pepper infused matcha-pear drink
This collaboration didn’t come from a strategy meeting or a handshake agreement. It grew naturally, a bit unorganised as all our collaborations, but definitely rooted in mutual respect. Mitja and his team have been regulars at Bunzai, drawn by the simplicity and honesty of our burgers, and I’ve been fortunate enough to witness the mastery of The Counter firsthand. Now, with the expertise of two culinary worlds colliding, we’re excited to offer something truly special.
The Bunzai x Birlo collaboration launches on Thursday, November 9, and will run through December 8.
