Senya Dining @ Isetan KLCC

Right after the high-tea set at Cafe Vienna, we were still feeling hungry - at least our stomachs are telling us it has not reach the 70% mark.  So, I suggested that we head down to Senya Dining @ KLCC Isetan Food Market in search of some good Japanese food.

Not wanting something too heavy, we ordered the Chicken Katsu Udon to share.  Service was pretty quick and very soon, our bowl of hot-piping udon arrived.

The bowl of udon was visually tempting, served with a big piece of chicken katsu, slices of kamaboko (fish cake), lots of wakame and crispy,deep-fried egg pieces.  The portion is pretty decent for the price.

The chicken katsu was deep-fried perfectly well while still locking in the juiciness.  I must applaud it for being generous with the portion as the chicken katsu was quite thick, i.e. a lot of meat.  Plus, the chicken katsu was not very oily, leaving the soup very clear.

The soy-based soup is very light but flavourful, giving enough taste to the bland udon.  It was very good that we (well, actually I) finished every drop of the tasty soup - and no, it was not due to MSG.

I usually don't like udon because of the soft texture and bland flavour as opposed to the more fragrant ramen.  But here, the udon is springy and tasted good especially with the soup.

I must say that this is one of the best udon I have tried.

Highly recommended for a quick, wholesome and satisfying meal.  However, the dining place is pretty small and is more appropriate for lone rangers or couples to dine-in.  Otherwise, if you prefer to bring the dining experience out at the KLCC park, they have pre-packed bentos (which they will happily reheat in the microwave for you) and sushi sets which you can easily take-away.

Senya Dining
Isetan Foodmarket
Concourse
Suria KLCC
(Just beside the escalators)

Salmon Steak in Miso Sauce @ Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant, Singapore

Situated right at the heart of Singapore's business district, Kotobuki Japanese Restaurant is indeed a cosy place for great business meal.  So, it was of no surprise this small restaurant is fully packed well before lunch hours.

As I had too much meat the day before, I decided to order some fish instead.  I ordered the Sake Miso Steak (SGD 22.00) which is actually a salmon steak coated with miso sauce, served on a sizzling hotplate.

The salmon was amazing, thanks to the flavourful miso sauce.  The miso sauce was really delicious and somehow, it did taste as though there was a hint of alcohol in it.  Serving it on a hotplate also allows the miso sauce to caramelize, bringing out the rich, sweet flavour of the miso.  Not to forget, the lovely crispy salmon skin at the bottom.  As the miso sauce only coats surface of the salmon, you still can taste the sweet salmon flesh.

This dish is a bit of a fusion as it comes with some mixed vegetables and potato wedges.  A bit disappointed as there were only two pieces because the wedges were quite nice and cooked until soft.

Kotobuki is a bit more upmarket, so the price can be quite pricey for a normal lunch, but I think it was worth it.

Kotobuki Restaurant

8 Shenton Way (AXA Tower)

#01-17/20

068811 Singapore

Tel: (65) 68830525

Open Daily

Lunch: 11:30am - 2:30pm

Dinner: 5:30pm – 10:30pm

Japanese Fusion Lunch @ Cafe Takahashi, Pavillion Tokyo Street

It's been a while since we last went to Pavillion for lunch on a working day.  Since we are on half-day leave, we have plenty time to waste and slowly enjoy lunch at Cafe Takahashi @ Pavillion Tokyo Street.

As I was not very hungry, I ordered the Chicken Katsu Burger (RM 10.90).  There is a big slice of fried chicken cutlet sandwiched between the lightly toasted burger, topped with special tonkatsu sauce and pineapple.  The chicken cutlet is juicy and goes very well with the sauce, which tasted like BBQ sauce.  Although a bit plain without any sides (salad or fries etc), it is just right for a light meal.

For KS, he went for the Autumn Breeze set meal and ordered the Teppan Set (RM17.80), which is chicken gyoza with special hot salsa sauce served on a sizzling hotplate, along with mixed vegetables and Japonica rice.  In fact, this set is quite a deal as it comes with tofu & miso soup (the soup of the day) and a scoop of vanila ice-cream topped with cornflakes & biscuit (the dessert of the day).  A complete meal.

This Teppan set may not look attractive on the menu, but it is very nice, thanks to the delicious special salsa sauce.  This spicy sauce has a strong tomato taste and is balanced well with herbs and seasonings.  Perfect to go with rice.  As KS couldn't finish the sauce, I took all the remianing sauce and enjoyed it on my burger :P  Totally love it!

Cafe Takahashi

No 6-24-1B, Level 6

Pavillion Tokyo Street

Jalan Buki Bintang

55100 Kuala Lumpur

Tel:  03-21436454

Pork Rib Ramen @ On Ramen, Hay Street, Sydney

I came here once 4 years ago and after trying it, I immediately fell in love with On Ramen @ Hay Street.  Although there are a few other good ramen stalls around in Sydney, but I find their broth being the better one.

First thing on the menu which caught my attention (which I ultimately ordered) is the Tenderous Pork Rib Ramen (AUD 12.90).  Their signature Tonkotsu-based (pork bone broth) ramen with tender braised pork ribs, served with half-boiled egg, seaweed and marinated bamboo shoots, is just so good and yummy-licious.

The ramen is not too overcooked and is quite springy.  Tasted lovely with the soup, which I find very flavourful and packed with lots of collagen.  You will definitely want to finish every drop of that lovely, concentrated soup.  However, I did find it a bit salty after a while, which is fine as you can wash down the saltiness with a complimentary glass of lemon-infused water.

But the highlight of this bowl of delicious ramen is the pork ribs.  The juicy ribs, with edible soft bones, are braised until the meat can be gently pulled off - that is how tender it is.  Wonderfully cooked and well-marinated!  Plus, they were very generous with the ribs (maybe around 3-4 pieces, if I am not mistaken).  Definitely worth the price.

Although this shop is tucked deep inside away from the main streets, but if you walked from Central Station towards Chinatown, you will easily find this shop.  This tiny shop is very warm and cosy (despite the strong,cold winds outside).  Service is quick and friendly.  Highly recommended for a quick, satisfying meal.

On Ramen

No. 4, 181-187 Hay Street

Haymarket

Sydney, Australia

Opens daily, 11am - 10pm

Lunch @ Xenri D'Garden Terrace, Menara Hap Seng

Xenri D'Garden Terrace @ Menara Hap Seng is a fine-dining restaurant serving Japanese kaiseki cuisine.

Kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, is a type of art form that focus on the right balance of taste and presentation.  So such a meal would be satisfying not just your taste-buds but also your eyes.  Of course, with such complexity involved, it comes with a hefty price.

During lunch time, Xenri offer a more casual version of kaiseki cuisine (or what we normally term as lunch sets), with a slightly lower cost.

My chance came when my boss decided to treat us for lunch at Xenri.

I had the Shake Minute Steak To Agedashi Doufu Teishoku, which translates to a Salmon Minute Steak with Deep-Fried Beancurd Set (RM 34).  It comes with chawanmushi, miso soup, pickles & fruits.

The main dish is the salmon steak, served with generous stir-fried vegetables and fried garlic, accompanied by a bowl of fluffy rice.  The salmon, which is very fresh, is well-cooked and juicy.  The sauce is very unique, not the standard teriyaki sauce - a little bit acidic, sweet & creamy (very close resemblance to the wafu dressing) and it compliments well with this dish.

I love the chawanmushi very much.  The steamed egg is very smooth, and most importantly, it is very flavourful.  I had a feeling they have used many ingredients into the stock for the egg mixture.

The agedashi tofu or deep-fried beancurd is very soft, and me, being a lousy chopstick user, had a hard time picking up the tofu.  I like the texture, quite like pudding.

The desserts, which were fruits, were a little disappointing.  The mango was quite mushy while the rock-melon still tasted like it had not been defrosted well.  Not what I would expect to come from such a restaurant.

But all in all, the meal was satisfying, with more surprises than disappointment.  To top it, there's a sense of peacefulness when you step in to Xenri.  Perfect to unwind and truly indulge in your meal.

Xenri D'Garden Terrace
Lot 2-04, 2nd Floor
Podium of Menara Hap Seng
Jalan P. Ramlee
50250 Kuala Lumpur
Tel:  03-20786688