Flavours of the East

Sushi and Wasabi Chicken

Silk Route,Koregaon Park

The raging popularity of sushi springs from the display of the different colours and textures of fish and the unique,defining flavours. The Silk Route prides itself in introducing unconventional versions of this famous Japanese dish. “We serve traditional as well as contemporary sushis. We also have Sandwich sushi which is grilled sushi,” says owner Rita Sawhney. The establishment also serves the Teriyaki Sushi,in which chicken is rolled in instead of fish. The Wasabi chicken,also the signature dish of the restaurant,is very popular among customers. So,take your pick and relish these succulent delicacies.

Teppanyaki and Sashimi

Harajuku,The ‘O’ Hotel,Koregaon Park

The chef juggling the utensils,then catching an egg in his hat and finally flipping the flattened shrimp pieces into the diners’ mouths – a typical scene out of a Teppanyaki steakhouse in Japan some 50 years ago. This legacy is being carried forward at Harajuku with a live Teppanyaki counter,minus the chef throwing steaks in the mouths of guests! “Teppanyaki literally means cooked on the hot plate and the main base of the dish is soya,butter and lemon,” says Mingam Ete,trainee captain at Harajuku. Another hot favourite amongst guests is the Sashimi,which consists of raw thin slices of fish served with a dipping sauce. Sashimi represents the Japanese cultural appreciation of subtlety. “From salmon to octopus,the customer gets a large variety to choose from in Sashimi,” says Babina Yumlembam,supervisor at the restaurant.

Tofu Satay

Trikaya,Pashan Road

Satay is universally loved by foodies. Each country has its own interpretation of the Satay,influenced by its unique food culture and distinct palate. The Tofu Satay is the vegetarian version of the popular Japanese Yakitori. “The preparation is the same as the Japanese Chicken Satay. Tofu Satay is our way of extending the delicate flavours of the Yakitori to the vegetarians,” says Vinay Kumar,supervisor at Trikaya. The dish has a great and unique flavour which comes from the slightly unorthodox way of preparing the marinade. With its distinctive appeal,this luscious platter is a must have for every vegetarian.

Yakitori

Offbeat World Cuisine,Kothrud

Chicken Tikka fan? You’ll love this classic Japanese take on grilled chicken. The perfect remedy for a hard day’s work,Yakitori is a favourite in the streets of Japan. Yakitori,literally meaning ‘grilled fowl’,is a scrumptious satay that goes brilliantly with chilled beer or a cup of hot sake (Japanese rice wines). At Offbeat World Cuisine,bite-sized pieces of chicken are basted in a mixture of mirin or sake,soya sauce,sugar and honey or maple syrup,skewered on bamboo skewers and grilled to perfection. “Yakitori is a popular Japanese street food that can be equated with chicken tikka in Indian cuisine,” says Sandeep Lele,owner of Offbeat World Cuisine.

Miso Soup

Soy Oriental Cuisine,Le Royce Hotel,Bund Garden Road

This traditional Japanese soup will come as a delight to those who are conscious of their health. It is a specialty of Soy Oriental Cuisine,a restaurant offering an assortment of Japanese dishes. “This is a healthy soup as it is prepared with a soya base,” says the restaurant manager,Richard Gurung. The chefs at this restaurant prepare their Miso soup by moistening soya paste with water or stock and adding a number of ingredients such as tofu,seaweed,sataki mushrooms,spring onions,and so on. Served steaming hot and topped with a sprinkle of chopped spring onion,this aromatic Japanese delicacy is a guaranteed delicious start to your meal.