Watami – a Grand Feast of Exciting New Dishes!

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:

1^st 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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