Watami Japanese Casual Dining Restaurant recently caused quite a stir in the dining scene when it introduced its new pork menu and on top of that, added 20 new dishes originating from Tokyo into its burgeoning grand menu. The 20 dishes make up only a quarter of new additions to the existing menu available in all 3 of its Klang Valley outlets – now you know what I mean by its “burgeoning” menu!
I got a taste of most of the new dishes introduced recently. As Nelson Wang (Vice-President of Operations & Business Development, Chaswood Group) puts it: “the new dishes, inspired from Tokyo, highlight their focus on variety and authenticity in their modern Japanese cuisine.” Watami’s “Ishokuya” experience reflects Watami’s concept of wining and dining which should be a delicious food session in the company of friends and loved ones in a comfortable soothing environment.
Starting with some healthy dishes, the Salmon Sashimi Salad (RM16.90) and Salmon Maguro Carpaccio (RM21.90) are good choices. The salad features a refreshing blend of julienned radish, onions and crispy seaweed tossed with fried wonton skin for that extra crunch, tender slices of fresh salmon and drizzled with a tangy grapefruit dressing.
The thinly-sliced salmon and tuna sashimi in carpaccio-style have strong hints of Italian garlic sea-clam sauce and green garlic dressing – made from a concoction of garlic, olive oil, spinach and perilla leaves.
Another refreshing appetizer is Jikasei Niku Miso Hiyaako (RM9.90) – silken cubes of cold tofu topped with minced meat and Japanese leek.
Watami Tokusei Tori Karaage
Kushi Moriawase
Puchi Tomato Butaniku Maki Kushi
If you are a fan of fried crunchy appetizers, go for the Watami Tokusei Tori Karaage (RM17.90) or special deep-fried chicken and Rosu Katsu (RM22.90) or deep-fried pork cutlet with shredded cabbage and sesame dressing. Other good choices are Kushi Moriawase (RM19.90) – an assorted skewer with chicken wing, chicken thigh, chicken gristle, beef and eringi mushroom roll and my favourite Puchi Tomato Butaniku Maki Kushi (RM4.90) – a slice of golden-hued grilled succulent pork rolled with a cherry tomato on a skewer.
Anago Tempura Maki
Hiroshima-fu Okonomiyaki
What’s a Japanese restaurant without sushis, right? At Watami, check out their new Anago Tempura Maki (RM12.90) or the popular simple Tamago Yaki Sushi (RM1.80) – eggroll nigiri sushi. At the same time, if you love Japanese pancake, the rich creamy Hiroshima-fu Okonomiyaki (RM18.90) will satisfy with its juicy pork slices on a okomiyaki base thick with special sauce, dried bonito and a sprinkling of Aonori flakes.
Kara Miso Ramen
Tonkatsu Ramen
For more tummy-filling goodies, Watami’s Tonkatsu Ramen (RM22.90) is a combination of 2 Japanese classics – “ramen” and “tonkatsu”. It’s a steaming bowl of ramen crammed with rashers of pork chashu, half-boiled egg, crispy beansprouts, bamboo shoots, Japanese leeks and spring onions. For a spicy version, there’s the Kara Miso Ramen (RM22.90) with the same ingredients but a spicier pork broth.
Tokyo Rosu Katsu Don
Ishiyaki Kaisen Garlic Rice
Rice lovers will be gratified to know that there are several delicious options to go for. The Tokyo Rosu Katsu Don (RM23.90) has a huge portion of prime cut deep-fried pork loin, scrambled eggs and homemade Watami katsu sauce served on a bed of warm rice. The Ishiyaki Kaisen Garlic Rice (RM29.90) is a protein-filled dish: a tasty and colorful blend of rice, shrimps, scallops, eggs, tobikko, shredded nori, garlic butter and dashi soy sauce served in a hot pot.
Kankoku Butechige
To keep off the sniffles, my other favourite is the Kankoku Butechige (RM25.90) – a Korean inspired army-style mini cauldron of fresh vegetables, pork, noodles, sea clams, Korean rice cakes and kimchi in a special spicy broth.
Yasai Kinoko Itame (RM16.90) – stir-fried vegetables with assorted mushrooms and pork
Head on over to any of the 3 Watami restaurants at:
1st Floor, Rainforest
1-Utama Shopping Centre
1 Lebuh Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7727-1399
Level 4 Connection
Pavilion KL Shopping Mall
168 Jalan Bukit Bintang
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2141-6671
Level 1 Paradigm Mall
1 Jalan SS7/26A
Kelana Jaya
47301 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7886-9661
Website: www.watami.com.my
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Alice says
Very descriptive…looks like they can’t resist the Hallyu wave either huh?
Pureglutton says
Yeah, it’s all over the place! 🙂
Chasing Food Dreams says
So much food that day! I am particularly fond of the Kushi Moriawase & Chilled Tofu… great catching up with you that day… 🙂
Pureglutton says
Yeah, great catching up – must do it more often! 🙂
Sean Eat Drink KL says
yay, so many choices on watami’s menu! i can’t decide which one to order 😀
Pureglutton says
Just zoom in to your favourites la 🙂