It's been awhile since I last had Japanese food, mainly because this cuisine does not exactly sit in my wallet-friendly category. If I were to dine in an authentic Japanese restaurant, it would cost me at least $40 to have a decent meal, minus the fresh sashimi or tempura pieces. However, you would find that some Japanese restaurants do have set menus for customers which includes a small bowl of miso soup and a bento box with a choice of carbohydrate (rice or noodles), about 2 pieces of tempura/ sushi rolls/nigiri and a fresh salad as a source of fiber.
When it comes to teppanyaki, it is a completely different ball game. Yes, the prices do vary, depending on the food quality. In Adelaide, there are a handful of Japanese restaurants that offers teppanyaki on the menu, which involves a live demonstration of the chef preparing your meal. Not only will you be entertained with the chef's skills but you can be assured that your food is hygienically constructed in front of you!
Just recently, a new Japanese teppanyaki restaurant opened up in the Parade and after listening to some good feedback from friends, I decided to head there myself, once I had a peek on their online menu (just to be sure that I don't go broke after dinner!). The interior is rather small and can accommodate, at most, 15 diners. Would definitely be ideal to make a table reservation, especially if you are planning to head there during the weekend!
In terms of service, I would rate this place 8/10. Efficient and attentive, just what you need at every restaurant! I am not entirely sure if the restaurant is 100% authentic Japanese (aka managed by Japanese) but the food tasted fine by my standards.
For our entree, we had the sashimi platter which consisted of raw tuna, kingfish and salmon. The fish pieces were fresh and were handled well by the chef. From memory, this platter costs us about $15 and that would be the standard price for a sashimi dish in Adelaide. Nevertheless, it is a worthwhile treat to have every now and then.
Whiting tempura~ fresh pieces of fish deep fried in a light tempura batter until it is golden and crunchy. Goes well with the mayonnaise dipping sauce that accompanies it! Certainly a light start to our meal.
As part of our Samurai Classic set menu, we were served cold soba noodles which were tossed in soy sauce. The cooling and refreshing taste of the noodles in my mouth, in a way, cleansed my palate and prepared me for the upcoming main dishes.
Miso soup~ can never walk out of a Japanese restaurant without a bowl of this!
Wagyu beef teppanyaki~ I'm not sure what grade does this wagyu beef belong in but it is well-seasoned and not overcooked by the chef. The beef pieces were uniform in terms of shape which allowed for even cooking on the hot grill.
Chicken karaage~ this dish requires minimal ingredients to prepare but the frying technique needs to be spot-on to maintain the chicken piece's juicy texture as well as to create a crunchy outer layer. One of my favourites for the night!
Duck breast with sour plum sauce~ succulent and juicy fragments of duck breast in plum sauce. It is easy to overcook the breast part of any poultry but if done up well, it can be a very healthy (low in fat) and delicious item.
Stir-fry beansprout with garlic, carrots and capsicum~ eat your vegetables in every meal! Always remember to have your 2+5 in your diet (2 fruit and 5 vegetables). Brownie points if they are in different colours too!
As usual, one needs to have a steaming bowl of rice to incorporate all the leftover juices into!
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