Buzz: Tucked away down Sukhumvit Soi 51, this brand new restaurant has generated a lot of buzz among Japanese food lovers for its fresh and high-quality ingredients. It’s not just hot air this time, either. Using mostly imported ingredients, the restaurant has its seafood and beef flown in direct from Japan five days a week (most restaurants get theirs twice a week).
The décor: The restaurant strikes a harmonious balance with its Zen garden sat right in the middle of the restaurant, the dark wood décor of the dining area and contemporary glass windows all around. Unlike typical Japanese restaurants, the tables here are spaced apart giving guests their own privacy. On top of that, they also offer three private rooms and a private sushi bar.
The food: The kitchen is run by Thai chef Uthit Jittrong, who has more than 30 years’ restaurant experience in Thailand and Japan. For appetizers, try the recommended yabu salad maki (sashimi wrapped in tofu skin with wasabi sauce, B800) and mixed sashimi set (chef’s selection of seven types of premium sashimi, B1,200 per person). The king crab with uni (sea urchin) and water lily buds in hot broth (B700) is another soothing option, while the matsuzaka foie gras sushi (B700) combines two luxurious ingredients. They also do tasting platters of beef, salmon and tuna, with prices starting from B1,100. Sweeten things up with their signature chocolate molten cake with green tea filling served with green tea ice cream (B200). Those visiting during lunch-time, can opt for a simple rice bowl topped with wagyu beef (B1,300), which is really mouthwatering.
The drinks: Their cocktail bar will be opening up in February, but for now they do have plenty of Japanese favorites, like sake (from B400), shochu (from B2,200/bottle) and umeshu (from B1,400/bottle). Beer lovers can play it safe with Asahi (B140), Heineken (B120) and Singha (B120).
The crowd: For now, you can expect mainly suited up Japanese expats and business groups, as well as curious Thai crowds.
