I always have a thing for Japanese food, be it ramen, sashimi or just plain ol' sushi. It is a kind of addiction, always having weekly cravings for them. Ahhh I wonder if such cravings occur, what cravings would I have when I'm pregnant in the future? I shudder to think *shakes head*
Pretty decorations on the 2nd floor
Well back to the food. This Japanese joint has just opened it's doors end of last month. A new branch from Sando Ramen, ST3, this place boasts a different environment as compared to it's original outlet. The menu is completely new as well. I think it is a pretty smart idea to have two different sets of menu and the two outlets, giving customers more options on what to eat. I've always fancied the Original Tonkotsu Ramen at the ST3 branch, but that shall be in another post later on. Now, let the food speak for itself.
Garlic Rice, 8/10 - RM6.90
Always a favourite, aside from their Kimchi Fried Rice. The portion in this outlet is slightly bigger than the one in ST3. The rice is always fried to perfection, and is always fragrant. I wonder how both outlets can maintain their standards. Maybe twin chefs? :O
Mix Sashimi Salad, 8.5/10 - RM15.90
The sashimi salad is always a refreshing choice for appetizers. Packed with lots of raw veggies and those sneaky bits of seafood, it is heavenly when drizzled with the peanut sesame dressing provided. A slight salty-sweet combo definitely whets my appetite to indulge further in their menu.
Salmon Avocado Salad, 7/10 - RM15.90
The salmon avocado salad was a wee bit disappointing as I expected more salmon + avocado? But I only had 3 slices of each which was pretty sad. Also, the pieces were cut rather big, so when mixing them together with the peanut dressing, you can't get all the goodness in one bite. Still prefer the mix sashimi salad over this.
Sakura Seafood Don, 7/10 - RM15.90
Don, commonly known as donburi are rice bowl dishes commonly served with toppings over the rice. Portion wise, I'd give them a thumbs up as the amount is just right for the belly. However, one complaint I had was the bowl was too small for the portion, or simply put, my food was overflowing! Bigger bowls please! :') Aside from that, due to the nature of having toppings on top of the rice, the bottom part was unaccompanied by the toppings as everyone tend to eat the top portion, leaving the bottom, just white. Perhaps some sauce?
Sando Bibimbap, 9/10 - RM10.90
Well pictures does no justice to this dish. You might think "Ahh, just another claypot dish", but you're so wrong. I was rather stunned when this came out, thinking I might have ordered the wrong item. But boy, I've never had anything quite like it. The combination of mushrooms in the gravy are just perfect for the weather that day. Pour them into the stone pot and they just went sizzling away. Reminds me of sizzling hot plate stuff, but yummier... and also healthier :D
Salmon Oishisushi, 6.5/10 - RM15.90
As much as I love sushi + raw salmon, I think this combination is a bit off. Why you may asked? It's because of the black mushrooms in the core of this sushi. I mean don't get me wrong, it doesn't taste bad, it's just a wrong combination for me, that's all. Maybe it's just something new I have to get used to?
Sashimi Mori, 8.5/10 - RM25.90
Salmon, butter fish, octopus and maguro. All the goodness in one plate. Three slices each and I'm in heaven. I've had this everytime I visit this place (3 times to be exact), and the freshness has never disappoint me. My only worry, the slices are sometimes too big (I prefer thinner slices though). And wasabi is always never enough LOL
Salmon Ramen? (not on menu yet), 9.5/10 - RM22.90
Never tried anything so superb before. When I first digged into the bowl, something creamy slapped me in the face. I mean "What's this creamy broth?" I asked myself. I've got confused as it tasted like some high class creamy carbonara gravy, thicken to perfection. Little did I know when the boss told me, they actually blended salmon into the gravy O.O TASTES SO GOOD I WANT SOME MORE! Reminds me of fish head beehoon in milk, except that of Hilton class *claps hands* Comes with raw salmon yums
(L) Hana Sushi, 8/10 - RM7.90, (R) Salmon Mentai, 8/10 - RM7.90
Rolled salmon sushi with dressed mayo on top, grilled mayo salmon sleeping on rice, these bite size sushi are up to par with my favourites from Sakae. Mayo was just right, rice portion was just right. Ahh... No complaints :)
Salmon Skin Roll, 4.5/10 - RM14.90
This is rolled salmon skin with lettuce, sprinkled with chilli flakes and drizzled with salad dressing. Maybe it just wasn't my luck that night but this dish turned out unfavorable to me. The salmon skin was so chewy, and had scales in them. It felt like the skin has been re-fried prior to being made into sushi. Also, the rice was a wee bit sticky, hence difficult to swallow when eaten as a whole. Otherwise, the spiciness and tang of the dressing is okay.
Chuka Wakame, 7/10 - RM5.90
Pickled seaweed with some grated radish. Cooling combination and quite refreshing. No complaints.
Smoked Duck Ramen, 7/10 - RM19.40
I couldn't exactly remember which broth base is this but the only thing that made me remember was the smoked duck. It was rather strong, so it masks over the broth taste. Doesn't taste too bad but I always prefer pork ones :)
Dragon Fire Roll, 7/10 RM19.90
This is rolled fried ebi, with avocado and prawn roe. The combination is pretty good, with drizzled soy sauce over the top. Only downside was the soy sauce was too much for my liking, and the roll ended up being too salty for me.
Overall, the place is unique, with a different twist to their menu as compared to normal Japanese restaurants. I will definitely come back again to try other items on their menu. Personal overall rating as follows:
Berbs personal rating:
Food - 7.5/10
Pricing - 7/10
Ambiance - 8/10
