Watami Japanese Casual Dining Restaurant has always been on my list favorite Japanese restaurants for its comfortable ambience and delicious, affordable food. When I heard that they’ve recently introduced six new signature pork-based dishes in the flagship store in 1Utama, my first instinct was to book a table and try the latest additions in the Watami’s Grand Menu.
Watami’s Grand Menu features delectable dishes that originate from the central kitchen in Tokyo, Japan. Upon looking at the menu, you’ll be spoilt for choice by the plethora of epicurean delights to heighten your “Ishokuya” experience – Watami’s concept of wining and dining delicious food in the company of friends and loved ones in a comfortable, casual setting.
If you really want to enjoy the new menu, I highly recommend starting with the Puchi Tomato Butaniku Maki Kushi. The name does sound rather intimidating, but it’s a rather humble appetizer. Puchi Tomato Butaniku Maki Kushi features sweet cherry tomatoes wrapped in succulent pork on skewer, and then grilled until golfer brown. Your tastebuds will first be teased by the savoriness of the pork, and as soon as you bite down on the cherry tomato, you’ll get be surprised by a wave of sweetness and tang! An unforgettable experience, of which you can also compliment with a serving of the Jikasei Niku Miso Hiyaako – silken cubes of cold tofu served with flavored minced meat and Japanese leak. The tofu is really soft and the way it’s served feels truly authentic.
You can’t have Japanese food without ramen. As an oder to its Japanese heritage, Watami introduced the Tonkatsu Ramen – a marriage of two classic Japanese dishes – ramen and tonkatsu. The Tonkatsu Ramen includes rashers of pork chashu floating in a special pork broth surrounded by flavored half-boiled egg, crispy beansprouts and bamboo shoots, with a dash of Japanese leek and spring onion. The broth is the real deal in this dish – rich in flavor, it’s by far one of the most comforting soups I’ve ever tried at a restaurant. If you really enjoy your noodle soup, this is what you want!
Katsu Don was the first Japanese dish I ever tried in my entire life, and it’s always been one of my favorites since I can remember. Upon seeing the Tokyo Rosu Katsu Don in the menu, I knew I had to have it. The Tokyo Rosu Katsu Don is a classic dish of prime cut deep fried pork loin in a gorgeous pool of scrambled egg and homemade Watami katsu sauce, served on a bed of warm rice and and a spring onion garnish. The Tokyo Rosu Katsu Don is what I consider the Japanese equivalent Mac ‘n’ Cheese!
If you like biting down on your pork loin without rice, the Rosu Katsu is perfect as an appetizer, or a main if you’re really adventurous! The delicious deep fried pork cutlets are topped with fresh cabbage, QP sesame dressing and special Tonkatsu sauce.
Last but not least, for the Japanese hot pot enthusiasts can try Watami’s Konbu Dashi Chanko Nabe, a fabulous Sumo Wrestler’s Hot Pot spread featuring a mini cauldron of superior quality ingredients ranging from choice vegetables, thick marbled pork slices, cubes of fresh chicken and soft silky tofu in Konbu Soup. It’s the perfect choice for a rainy day!
This pork-filled gastronomical feast is something you really won’t want to miss if you really want to dine like a Tokyo cosmopolite! To give Watami’s new pork dishes a try, head on to their outlets in Pavilion KL, 1 Utama Shopping Centre and Paradigm Mall, Kelana Jaya. For reservations or more information on the new pork menu, kindly contact Watami Japanese Casual Dining Restaurant outlets at 03-2141 6671 (Pavilion KL), 03-7727 1399 (1Utama) and 03-7886 9661 (Paradigm Mall). [Disclaimer: Watami Japanese Casual Dining Restaurant is non-halal restaurant.]
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