Japanese cuisine Archives - TABLEAPP Ideas

What Are The Best Tasting Roe Used For Sushi?

22 March 201922 March 2019GeneralFish Roe, Japanese cuisine, Japanese restaurant, Roe, Sushi, TABLEAPPLeave a Comment

Do you agree that we Malaysian really enjoy eating Japanese cuisine? Don’t take my word for it but if you look around, you might just find a Japanese restaurant lurking at every corner of the city. Yes, it’s true and that is just great news for us!

When dining at a Japanese restaurant, have you ever felt excited and confused at the same time wondering what’s being served to you? Speaking of which, do you recall eating those “mini dragon ball” looking salmon fish roe (Ikura)? Very interesting, isn’t it?

And that brings us to our topic of the day! What types of roe are the most commonly used in Japanese cuisine? From fish to shrimp to sea urchin, we are going to unveil all of these types of unique and delicious roe from the sea!

1. Ikura

Ikura, the “mini dragon ball” looking salmon roe is first on the list as it’s one of the most commonly served roe in a Japanese restaurant. Generally, salmon roe is larger in size, reddish-orange in color and is quite delicate to handle because of its gooey texture.

Bite into it and you’ll feel an immediate explosion of its sweet liquid that is to die for! Ikura is usually served as a sushi topping and occasionally as a garnishing for donburi dishes.

2. Tobiko

Another commonly used fish roe in sushi making is the Tobiko, also known as the flying fish roe. Wait, fish can fly!? Yes and so will your taste buds when you taste the Tobiko. What makes this roe special is its distinct smoky, salty flavours with a hint of sweetness and crunchiness in texture.

It has a beautiful reddish-orange color similar to salmon roe but is relatively smaller in size which can range from 0.5 to 0.8 millimeters. Did you know Tobiko can also change in color and flavor when infused with some natural ingredients? Such variations include squid ink to make it black, wasabi to make it green, and yuzu to make it yellow.

3. Ebiko

Apart from using fish roe, sushi restaurants also use Ebiko in which the word “ebi” means shrimp and makes up a part of its name. Ebiko is considered to be similar to Tobiko in taste but darker in color. In addition, the price of Ebiko is cheaper than that of Tobiko hence, making it a more affordable treat!

4. Masago

Masago is basically roe from the Capelin fish. Similar to other types of roe, it’s naturally red-orange in color and quite a common ingredient in sushi. Alternately, you can order deep fried capelin fish with the roe still inside the fish. It’s a common yet delicious dish in many Japanese restaurants. If you have not tried it, we highly recommend it!

5. Uni

If you don’t know what uni is, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Uni is the Japanese name for the edible part of the Sea Urchin. While it’s usually referred to as the roe, uni is actually the animal’s gonads and not eggs.

However, since it’s such a famous ingredient in sushi making, we decided to include it on the list. Uni comes in many ranges of colours, from rich gold to light yellow, and has a creamy consistency that some love and is off-putting to others. It might look intimidating but give it a try then you decide!

Restaurants where you can try different types of roe?

Now that you know what are the different types of roe available in Japanese restaurants, let’s get going and try them out at these top Japanese restaurants in Kuala Lumpur! So, what are you waiting for? Reserve a table at one of these restaurants today!

ELITE Review: Free Signature Dishes at Top Japanese Restaurants in Klang Valley (P2)

23 July 201817 August 2018General, TableApp, TableApp IdeasELITE, Free Signature Dishes, Japanese cuisine, Kikubari, kimi-ya, Klang Valley, Tonkatsu Anzu, TouanLeave a Comment

1. Kikubari

Kikubari, located on the third floor of DC Mall, is a contemporary Japanese restaurant with a progressive menu of the finest ingredients such as Amadai tile fish, Hokkaido A5 Wagyu and Bafun uni. As Kikubari means “caring” in Japanese, the team has brought out their best to live up to its name by creating a lively and fun journey for the palate and elevating diners’ experience.

The Prawn in Two Ways is a must-try delight that clearly showcases Kikubari‘s advocate of cooking from nose to tail. After being deep-fried, the prawn heads are placed nicely on a bed of whipped roe, trout roe, prawn-infused cream and beautifully garnished with edible flowers and seaweed strips. The prawn heads are incredibly crispy yet not even a dry texture is found as the cream does an excellent job in keeping them moisturized. The prawn body is turned into an addictive indulgence – lobster roe patty deep-fried in Katsu style and stuffed inside a home-baked sandwich with cabbage-slaw and wasabi mayo. An innovative and luscious dish.

Next comes a seductive dish that might make you gasp in awe – the Supreme Seafood Capellini. Fine strings of the heavenly delicious angel hair pasta is swirled skilfully, topped with uni, scallop, arenkha roe, hojiso and a trio of melt-in-the-mouth gifts of the sea – amaebi, botan ebi and moruno shrimp which exude sweetness into the pasta. On the side, the Tarabagni (king crab jelly) is a unique ingredient that jazzes up the dish and teases diners’ taste bud with its sublime flavor. The dish is drizzled with the house secret truffle-konbu sauce which gives the pasta a subtle aroma and makes it incredibly smooth.

This Pan Seared Seasonal Japanese Fish is something you should catch an eye on when you come to Kikubari. The fish is seared perfectly to “à point” which is being cooked to the exact point to still preserve its freshness and juiciness. Only the best-of-the-season fish are chosen and air-flown from Japan to be used for the dish. Crispy outside yet lusciously juicy inside, this extraordinary seared fish is a dish seafood lovers cannot ignore.

TABLEAPP ELITE Members can redeem these 3 signature dishes for free.

Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 6.30pm – 10.30pm. Closed on Sundays.
Location: L3-01A, DC Mall, Plaza DC, Damansara City, 6, Jalan Damanlela, 50490 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to book a table at Kikubari

2. Kimi-Ya

Searching for a cozy Japanese restaurant which serves premium delights? Kimi-Ya is the place you should head to. Sumptuous yet affordable with fresh air-flown ingredients delivered directly from Hokkaido, all the dishes here are skilfully curated and presented with attention to detail. The restaurant is a must-visit place for those who love casual dining, amiable service and lavish authentic Japanese food.

This Ume Sashimi Moriawase (7 types) is a pure indulgence for any sashimi aficionados. 7 types of freshest Japanese air-flown delights – including Bluefin tuna, kampachi, Otoro, octopus, amaebi (sweet prawns), scallop and salmon, lies opulantly on a bed of ice. The Bluefin tuna and Kampachi will tantalise diners’ palate with their sweetness and freshness. The Otoro cuts look tempting at the first glance and will satiate patrons’ taste buds with its satisfactory fatness. The octopus is crunchy and briny while the amaebi, scallop and salmon will capture your heart with their buttery and creamy texture. A dream come true.

Be prepared not to get hypnotized by the gorgeous marbling and aroma of this Goushuu No Wagyu Steak (120 gm). The highest-graded A5 Wagyu steak is served sizzling hot which might trigger your involuntary salivation within a few seconds. The palatable fatness and sweetness of the beef quickly dissolves in the mouth and its intense beefiness and richness are well-balanced by the vegetable that comes along. A real winner of taste and value-for-money department.

Finally, whet your appetite with this Yaki Taraba Kani (300g). Succulent pieces of Alaskan King Crab Legs are placed neatly and garnished with nice petals. The high-quality legs are grilled to perfection to maintain its protein and juiciness. The scrumptious delight exudes an irresistible sweet and briny smell with a refreshing and succulent taste. A warm-hearting treat for diners!

TABLEAPP ELITE Members can redeem these 3 signature dishes for free.

Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:30pm; Fri – Sun: 11:30am – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 11:00pm.
Location: G-2, Avantas Residences, 162, Jalan Klang Lama, 58000 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to reserve a table at Kimi-Ya

3. Tonkatsu Anzu

Situated at the Japanese food heaven – ISETAN The Japan Store, Tonkatsu Anzu are among those eateries that are much frequented by foodies and food critics in town. The restaurant focuses on a menu of an artisanal approach to its flavours, using premium Kurobuta black pork to achieve “melt-on-your-tongue” homemade dishes.

The Rice with Green Tea with Pork Fillet Katsu is not only rich in taste but also in aroma. The pork fillet is covered by a light golden layer outside while the meat itself has a right amount of fat that keeps it well-moisturized inside. The green tea does a great job in infusing a distinct scent into the meat and balancing the greasiness from the pork fat. Apart from it, you can always indulge yourself in refillable fresh cabbage, soup and Japanese pickles that come with each Katsu set.

The Hot Pot Pork Loin Katsu Set is a heart-warming dish of succulent pork loin you should opt for in a rainy day. The high-quality Kurobuta black pork is deep fried skilfully before being smothered in the restaurant’s special sauce and fresh beaten egg. This hot pot pork loin has a juicy goodness that one could hardly resist and it is delicately soft. A soothing dish to warm your hungry stomach.

The Gin-jo Pork Fatty Loin Katsu Set is a classic pork loin dish that won’t let you down at any second. The pork is coated with batter before being fried to perfection. Under the beautiful golden brown and crispy batter, the slight fat oozing from the premium pork makes the meat soft and juicy. The homemade tonkatsu sauce and fresh refillable side dishes that come along are a heavenly combination for the dish.

TABLEAPP ELITE Members can redeem these 3 signature dishes for free.

Opening Hours: Daily: 11:00am – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 11:00pm.
Location: ISETAN The Japan Store, LOT 10, No. 50, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to make a table reservation at Tonkatsu Anzu

4. Touan

Touan is a notable Japanese restaurant serving a variety of authentic Japanese food, especially Yakitori and Robata-yaki, by skillful Japanese chefs. With a menu made of fresh ingredients mostly imported from Japan and a special homemade sauce which has been improved for 15 years, the restaurant is a must-go dining spot for any Japanese food enthusiasts.

Ever dreamt of dipping a slice of the gorgeous Wagyu beef into a pot of boiling hot Sukiyaki soup? This flavorful Sukiyaki with Special Wagyu will make your dream come true. The sublime delight would whet the palate of any Sukiyaki lovers as the Wagyu beef, with its melt-in-the-mouth goodness, will tantalise the taste buds and might even make your eyes close in admiration. Dip the beef and assorted vegetable into the smooth egg yolk and voilà, you are in for a gastronomic treat.

If you are a big admirer of deep fried chicken, you would definitely fall in love with this Fried Chicken Thigh “Karaage”. The dish has a deceptively simple look to let its taste be the star. The chicken is well-marinated in a mix of soy sauce, 2-flour batter and cooked inside the boiling oil until it’s fried on point. The chef succeeds in keeping the karaage a light and crispy layer outside while its succulent meat is totally not dry at any bite.

As Touan is famous for Yakitori and Robata-yaki, there is no reason why you should not try the famous 5 Types of Assorted Yakitori. The charcoal-grilled skewers have a palatable smoky flavour and are drizzled with a mixture of sake and salt. Flawlessly crispy skin, juicy meat that makes you eat down to the bones and superb rich flavour that lingers on your tongue, the dish is simply a lip-smacking indulgence.

TABLEAPP ELITE Members can redeem these 3 signature dishes for free.

Opening Hours: Daily: 11:00am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 11:00pm.
Location: 4th Floor, ISETAN The Japan Store, LOT 10, No. 50, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.

>> Click here to book a table at Touan

Still want more? View our ELITE Review on Free Signature Dishes at Top Japanese Restaurants in Klang Valley (Part 3)!

5 Best Japanese Haute Cuisine Omakase (and Kaiseki!) Course in KL

22 February 201622 February 2016GeneralHanare, haute cuisine, Ishin Japanese Dining, Japanese cuisine, kaiseki, Manmaru Robatayaki & Bar, omakase, Oribe Sushi, TEN Japanese Fine Dining1 Comment

Meet the Chanel and Christian Dior of Japanese cuisine.

We have heard of Chanel, Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani in haute fashion.. but how much do you know about Japanese haute cuisine Omakase and Kaiseki course? For those who start scratching your head wondering what omakase and kaiseki are, this post is for you. For those who are familiar with these terms, read on to find out where to get these hard-to-find cuisines!

Omakase

Omakase means "I'll leave it up to you” in Japanese. It differs from ordering à la carte; you are entrusting the chef to serve you the best he could offer. Customers ordering omakase style expect the chef to be innovative and surprising in the selection of dishes, and the meal can be likened to an artistic performance by the chef. Ordering omakase can be a gamble (well, life is always a gamble!), but the customer typically receives the highest-quality fish available at a lower cost than if it had been ordered à la carte.

Kaiseki

Kaiseki, on the other hand, is equivalent to a multi-course Western haute cuisine. It is an appreciation and collection of chef’s skills and techniques that allow the preparation of such meals, even the dining ware and vessels are part of the kaiseki experience! In the present day, kaiseki is a type of art form that balances the taste, texture, appearance, and colours of food. Only fresh seasonal ingredients are used and are prepared in ways that aim to enhance their flavour. Finished dishes are carefully presented on plates that are chosen to enhance both the appearance and the seasonal theme of the meal. Dishes are beautifully arranged and garnished, often with real leaves and flowers, as well as edible garnishes designed to resemble natural plants and animals.

Omakase and Kaiseki style Japanese cuisine are rare to find in Malaysia, as locals are yet to appreciate the haute cuisine and also, the pricing factor. However, if you are keen to try (YOLO, perhaps?), here’re the top restaurants that offer the best Omakase and Kaiseki.

Hanare prides themselves in offering quality authentic Japanese cuisine. They provide some of the best and freshest seafood air flown direct from Japan depending on the season's specialty offering. Favourites such as the divine Hon Maguro (Fresh Blue Fin Tuna), the rare cut of Tai (Fresh Red Snapper), Nama Awabi ( Fresh Abalone ) and other choice seafood depending on its season will be imported direct from Tokyo's famous Tsukiji fish market to give you that unique flavour and dining experience.

Hanare is well known for its 9-course Dinner Omakase. The restaurant offers Kaiseki set as well – 7-course Hiru Kaiseki available during lunch hour and 8-course Dinner Kaiseki available at night.

Click here for reservation

Oribe Sushi’s elegant atmosphere provides the perfect place for a fine dining experience. The warm interior tones laced with ambient lighting exude quiet relaxation. Stylish and contemporary décor set the mood for dining with a difference.

Amid this calm atmosphere, diners will delight at discovering a menu refined in quality and rich in tradition. Oribe Sushi do not use sugar for sushi rice, and provide hand-made ginger, wasabi selected by master chef and aims to redefine the sushi dining encounter, transforming quality raw ingredients into distinctive tastes while remaining culturally true to its origins.

Oribe Sushi offers Omakase course, for both lunch and dinner. Free car parks are available for customers at first-come-first-served basis.

Click here for reservation

In Japanese, "TEN" translate to heaven. A name that aptly describes the exclusive fine dining experience reserve for the select few. Since opening doors in Kuala Lumpur, Ten Japanese Fine Dining has earned multiple awards and rave reviews among VIP guests and discerning dinners for the exquisite dining experience they offer. They ensure that seasonal ingredients from Japan retain the tradition of Japanese cuisine, and international and fresh local ingredients help to accentuate a contemporary style.

Have a supreme authentic Japanese fare at Ten’s 8-course Dinner Omakase, for it will bring you the very essence of Japanese Fine Dining.

Click here for reservation

A culinary destination where modern Japanese cuisine is elevated and fused with Italian flavours and touches. Explore the Omakase, a daily special, tastefully selected and created specially for diners. All the fishes at Manmaru Robatayaki are air flown in from Japan weekly and once sold out, you will need to book them ahead to secure your catch.

The Omakase Course at Manmaru Robatayaki is designed for 2 pax. It is recommended to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Click here for reservation

Ishin is well known for its genuine Japanese and Kaiseki style cuisines that are cooked to order. The meals are prepared freshly using ingredient imported from Japan's famous Tsukiji fish market with the finest ingredients of the season.

Ishin's Kaiseki cuisines reflect the four seasons of Japan using imported seasonal ingredients aimed to enrich the final taste using a harmonious blend. They are also intricately decorated to perfection to reflect the seasonal theme of the meal. Using sheer craftsmanship and skill set, Ishin's chefs will arrange and prepare sublime Kaiseki six to twelve multi-course meal.

Click here for reservation