Page 105 - Hong_Kong_&_Macau's_Best_Restaurants_English_edition

HONG KONG RESTAURANTS
JA PA N E S E

SHIRO
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LG1, Two Pacific Place, 88
Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
TEL: +852 2117 9481
www.shiro-sushi.com

While perhaps not the most
exciting of locations (housed
within the supermarket in the belly
of Pacific Place), Shiro remains
a popular spot for a quick and
simple sushi meal or a bowl of
ramen. The pristine white interiors
hint at the contemporary route
that the restaurant tends to
take when it comes to the food,
Sushi-Sei’s minimalist with creations such as “crystal
interiors allow diners to sushi”—nigiri featuring jewel-like
focus on the food slabs of translucent jelly made from
ingredients such as sake and rose
petals, or ponzu and white ginger.
The effect is oddly refreshing, with
NOBU OKRA BAR the thin film of jelly adding a textural
contrast to the firmer rice and
9 8 8 8 8 9 8 10 fish. There is also an “innovative
sushi” section where you’ll find
2/F, InterContinental Hong Kong, 110 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying inventions such as squid ink rice
18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Pun, Hong Kong topped with sliced Japanese
Hong Kong TEL: +852 2806 1038 imperial fish, or seared fresh saba
TEL: +852 2313 2323 www.okra.bar with spring onion—the latter not
www.hongkong-ic. actually all that innovative, but
intercontinental.com Okra Bar sits above the main At Nobu, produce deliciously fashioned, all the same.
restaurant, Okra Kitchen, is quality and At lunchtimes, most diners tend
Japanese with Peruvian influence situated along a quiet stretch of to go for the hearty katsu don
has long been Nobu’s culinary Hollywood Road and accessed combinations (pork cutlet omelette on rice) or
style and return visitors will find through a single flight of stairs. warming noodles (udon, ramen
memorable
old favourites that are always The space is kept minimalistic— or yakisoba). For dessert, we’re
well-executed. Here they are sterile white tiles dominate big fans of the fruit mochi, which
set against panoramic views the décor—in order to draw all combines the pleasantly chewy
of that famous Hong Kong your attention to the food and mochi balls with fresh fruit and an
skyline and amidst stylish and drink. Chef Max Levy can most adult hit of Cointreau-flavoured
satisfying design despite rather often be found up here, and jelly. Light bites are also
low ceilings. Produce is quality the creativity and expertise in available should you
and combinations memorable: his craft makes for an excellent need sustenance
jalapeños pair with yuzu and omakase experience that you after shopping.
ponzu; truffles complement miso. won’t soon forget. Ingredients
The fish is superb; lightly grilled, such as rich carabinero prawn is
the black cod saikyo yaki has a delicately paired with a smooth SUSHI SEI
deliciously buttery texture and chawanmushi, enhancing the
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a mildly rich taste enhanced by natural flavours in the crustacean. 6
sweet miso. The yellowtail with Levy is also a trained itamae, and
jalapeno does not disappoint is a big proponent of ageing fish Shop 2016, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
as the spice of jalapeno and the to coax out their optimum flavour TEL: +852 2387 3377
tangy ponzu complement the and texture. Fattier fish, for www.epicurean.com.hk
slightly oily fish. Desserts have example, may be washed in brine
a Japanese twist and are worth and then stored loosely wrapped With its subtle blond wood and grey stone exterior, it would be easy to
saving space for, and the sake list in draughty conditions. Subject miss Sushi Sei, if it weren’t for the small queues that form at the entrance
includes hot and cold options to to seasonality and availability on weekdays during lunch hour. The minimalist design carries through to
suit most tastes. A comprehensive of ingredients, the assorted compact, polished-wood interiors, with the option to dine at a sushi counter
wine menu caters to those who nigiri sushi selection changes or at booths and tables. Lunchtimes are busy with shoppers, workers and the
prefer grape-derived over rice- daily and allows for a fresh occasional tourist grabbing a bite to eat before taking the train to the airport.
based. Service can take some time experience each visit. It is in the Most go for set menus, which come with miso soup, salad and other extras,
to warm up—from a half-hearted nigiri that the chef’s dedication depending on your order. Not surprisingly, sushi and sashimi, with seafood
“Irasshaimase!” on arrival to an to presenting the very best meal flown in from Japan, is popular, as are grilled dishes and donburi rice bowls
almost foot-tapping impatience to his customers is apparent. Opt with all manner of toppings. From the cold section, a dish of Tokushima
while asking for recommendations, for the sake and wine pairing—the Handa somen noodle in sea urchin sauce is creamy and has decent umami
service is slightly lackluster to sake selections have been as flavour. Japanese beverages are the drink of choice, from non-alcoholic
begin with, but it soon warms up carefully selected as the cuisine green tea to plum wine, sake, shochu and beer. Service can be patchy and it’s
and by dessert staff are cracking and each one will reveal an no bargain, but with a handy location in IFC mall, Sushi Sei’s winning hand is
jokes like old friends. intriguing story to be heard. choice and convenience.

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