Tokyo Skipjack: Japan on a steak?

This picture clearly says it all. I don't need to elaborate much about a good steak as long as they serve mine in that juicy-tender-red-in-the-middle state. Sometimes, JUST the aroma from the grill and the scent of the meat itself are satisfying enough for me.

This is the usual current trend of serving steaks in almost all cafes and restaurants in Jakarta: when not only you enjoy the meat, but they have several selections of sauces to please you.You can easily find mushroom, black pepper, and barbecue sauces as a "side dish" or sometimes, they smolder it all over the meat to add more flavors (supposedly). Whilst I still prefer to enjoy mine without the sauces, apparently, eating steaks have been taken to another whole level. Combined with Japanese fusion sauces and side dishes, Tokyo Skipjack, offering you grilled steaks with a different touch.

Small space with a semi outdoor concept. Almost similar to a street food joint, only with a few more interior and furnished chairs and tables

No local meat though.. Each steak comes with three side dishes of sauce, different types of potatoes and selectable veggies.

NZ Sirloin (75k). Grilled to perfection of what I would call medium. Accompanied with butter wasabi sauce, fries and green salad with Japanese dressing. The wasabi sauce lacked that kick of spiciness and just fell flat. While the greens were sweet savory, unique in its own kind of way.

NZ Sirloin (95k). It was so tender and juicy, I felt like biting it straight from my hands instead of cutting it. Okay, maybe that's a little too much. But I love the meat itself perfectly without the touches of any sauces. This was accompanied with Japanese chimichurri sauce. It is very oily and sour. Though can be refreshing, I finished my steak with very little help from it. The Mitsuba mash was basically mashed with Japanese parsley. It is not too dry, yet, not too creamy

I hope to add a dash of fresh grounded black pepper over my steak, but it came to no avail. For what it's worth, I was quite satisfied with the meal and I might have the potential of craving for it in the future. While I dwell upon my own agreement of the sauces, it was pouring down like crazy..Maybe it's a way of fate not wanting me to leave the place. Nevertheless, I still have to drag my tired as* back home and get some rest.

Tokyo Skipjack
Jl. Bulungan No. 16
South Jakarta, JKT 12130
(021) 9972 5000

Iron Chef Kitchen is IN TOWN!

To all Iron Chef's fans out there, as a fellow fan, I am happy to say that Iron Chef Kitchen is definitely IN TOWN~ Yes people, they are here.. Located in Food Gallery (LG level Plaza Senayan), it is hoped that the people of Indonesia will get to know more of the variance of Japanese food. Oh, the show Iron Chef itself is going to be aired in Trans TV this month. 

As we all know, our people are fond of Japanese food. With the emerging sensation of ramen joints, the crazy creamy addictive mille crepes, or even the classic yummy savory sushi bars, I can speak for myself that I am definitely tagging along to this highly in trend Japanese fever.

So, a few days ago, I was invited to the Iron chef screening and press conference. I came to notice (again) that I always think the Japanese culture is somehow very unique. Not only the food, but the language itself is beautiful. They are almost poetic, even in everyday application. They speak the taste of summer time, which I believe I have no clue by what they meant, but in a way, I think I understand. They manage to always penetrate graceful and polite gestures in engaging every social interactions. Listening to their conversations about their food made me more eager to try it and of course, I was once again, amazed by the differences and diverse culture that we all share. 

After all the talking, they gave a few sample for food tasting but I failed to snap any good pictures.. Please bear with me and tolerate the pictures as there was not enough light nor a good opportunity to take a decent one. 

The Chefs/owners of the Japanese restaurants, available in the Iron Chef Kitchen

Food is here...

I got to say, this one was my favorite. It was the Iron Chef Chen's Spicy Black Ramen. Unlike the ordinary creamy broth ramen that we are fond of, this ramen use soy and fish sauce as its base. In a way, I found the broth both comforting and light, also balanced and rich at the same time. For those who aren't fond of the usual heavy creamy broth, this one is definitely a must try. Definitely different from the ordinary ramen we know. This one really has its own twist.. 

Well, sweet desserts have always been my weakness. This was actually the first thing I snatched away from the table. It was Iron Chef Sakai's Popover Roast Pear. Well, this might not be an authentic Japanese delicacy, but the Japs have adapted so many things and gave their own touches to it. I personally think it's clever. 

This is the spicy chicken wings that I didn't get the chance to try. The other food bloggers said it's nice. 

For those who are interested in tasting the Iron Chef's dishes, you can all come to Plaza Senayan and give it a try for yourself. 

Period : 26 Jan - 5 Feb 2013

I am aware that it is no longer available, even by the time of the press conference. Anyway, Spoon Bread is the first Popover restaurant in Japan. Popover itself is an American version of Yorkshire pudding. It can be served either as a sweet treat (like the one that I tried in the conference) or as a savory dish with meats.. 

Period : 9 Feb - 25 Feb 2013

Menya Iroha was established 20 years ago in Japan and is a 4-times champion at the Tokyo Ramen Show. They are famous for their black ramen. They will be serving both the Iron Chef Chen's spicy black ramen and Toyama black soy sauce ramen in the outlet. As I have mentioned above, their broth is lighter and perfectly balanced. By the way, it is also halal as they use only chicken and fish for their ingredients.. 

Toyama Black Soy Sauce Ramen

Period : 9 Feb - 25 Feb 2013

Dai Tokyo Sakaba has a cozy Japanese bar concept that serves Japanese style premium chicken cuisine such as fried chicken wings (Tebasaki), fried chicken ( Tori Kara Age), fried chicken kurupuk (Tori Kawa Sembei)  to name a few. They also serve Yakitori in the outlet. 

Yakitori

Period : 26 Feb - 14 March 2013

Aloha Terrace serves Hawaiian dishes with Japanese touches. They will also be opening an outlet in Bintaro, Tangerang in early April. It will officially be the first Hawaiian restaurant in Indonesia. I tried their Loco Moco, which is a Hawaiian traditional meal that consists of white rice, topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg and brown gravy. It was very filling. I also tried the aromatic Hawaiian Kona Coffee, which is said to be one of the most expensive coffees in the world. It has a vanilla-like sweet fragrant that eventually lured me into drinking 3 cups.. lol

Loco Moco. Sorry I wasn't able to snap a good picture out of the sample given on that day.. 

Period : 26 Feb - 31 March 2013

First established in 1970, Sagami has been one of the largest chain restaurants in Japan. It has been famous for its soba (healthy buck wheat noodle) and its 'healthy and fresh' tagline. They serve variety of dishes in the outlet such as basic zaru soba, curry duck soba, Mt. Fuji beef soba, duck soup soba, shrimp oroshi soba, tempura chicken oroshi soba, chawan mushi, and yuzu honey juice. I tried their curry duck soba and it has a subtle mild curry hint. I have to say it is quite new to me to taste a combination of duck and curry.. 

Curry Duck Soba

If you are a Japanese food mania, what are you waiting for? Pay a visit and try their dishes! I know I will be back to get me some more of that spicy black ramen! 

Food Gallery, The Food Hall

LG Floor, Plaza Senayan

Jakarta

Taiyo Sushi.. not Cruz..

I just had dinner in Taiyo Sushi near my house with my high school friends.. They just re-opened their Sushi restaurant after the renovation and tonight was the first time we visited it again.. The place didn't change much but I can definitely see more tables and more space for customers..

I have always LOVE the sushi there.. My friends are all crazy about this place too.. When they closed down the restaurant for the renovation, we thought they somehow went bankrupt and we all were very disappointed.. So when we found out that they're just being renovated, we were so thrilled.

The thing is they have a special mayo cheese sauce that my friends and I all ADORE.. andddd I also love how they grill some of the sushi, it makes the sushi has a hint of grilled scent which I LOVE so MUCH!

The decorations somehow reminded me of LV symbol.. I know they're not the same.. -__-"

Sushi bar

Wood interior..

Menu

While waiting for the sushi.. 

Yes, Teng ordered more sushi for a second round

After some time, VOILAAA... Le sushi is finally here!~ Well, we didn't order all at once, we had two rounds of sushi..

Salmon Belly Sashimi (38k) I like the texture of Salmon belly~ More chewy, somehow fatty but yummy..

Tempura Crunchy Roll (32k) I think this dish would be very good if the tempura is served hot or warm.. It's still very much crunchy though.. 

Unagi Salmon Special (54k) I remember it used to have a very strong grilling scent in a good way.. If u can see the side of the sushi, it has a some kind of charcoal marks.. well, there's the magic 

Mozzarella Mentai Yaki (28k) They put their special mayo sauce with another layer of melted mozzarella.. Oh yummy to the max.. Inside is pieces of salmon sashimi.. 

Salmon Skin Fried (22k) I love how crispy it is.. I can eat a bucket of this without complaining.. 

Gyu Enoki (36k) Basically it is rolled beef filled with enoki.. I like the sauce, it's sweet but it compliments the dish

Cheese Mentai Roll (48k) Perfectness.. Cheese and mayo.. super guilty pleasure! HAHAHA.. I have no regret! Even though before this I spent an hour at the gym sweating like a pig.. worth it.. 

Volcano (48k) On top is the mayo sauce, inside was pieces of sashimi and you have to dig it up  to get the whole rice and fish.. A messy one indeed.. Three of us dropped our rice and fish when we're trying to put it into our mouth.. 

Aburi Mozzarella Roll (56k) I would say this is one of my favorite fusion sushi ever.. It's sweet and salty at the same time.. The floss is sweet but the mayo makes it savory..  Plus I dipped it to the soy sauce with a little of chili powder.. PURE LOVE

Taiyo Special Roll (52k) ALSO VERY YUMMY.. I love all the fusion sushi that we ordered tonight! Each of us made an "OH MY GOD IT'S SO FREAKIN GOOD, YOU HAVE TO TRY IT!" expression every time we tasted a new type of sushi.. 

I have been craving to eat fusion sushi for quite some time.. and apparently Sushi Tei has now failed to fulfill me with those cravings.. The last time I went there, their crunchy roll was not even crunchy. It was really bad..

So after visiting Taiyo Sushi tonight, I am quite impressed.. and my cravings are certainly fulfilled.. I loveeeeee their fusion sushi. The staffs are great, the food is wonderful.. I definitely recommend this place to hang out..

Unlike big fusion sushi restaurants, Taiyo sushi still has a niche that makes the place special enough... I rated the food 9/10.. I personally loveeee all the mayo and cheese sauce so yeah I am a big fan.. plus each sushi has the right mixture of texture, from the crunchy bits to the soft sashimi and the glutinous rice.. Ooh, plus we got a 20% disc tonight.. Hihihihihi...

TAIYO Sushi
Jln. Pluit Putera Raya no 17
Jakarta Utara

Japanese Shabu Shabu, NABEDOURAKU (a branch from Ikkousha)

Last week, I went to Nabedouraku, which is a Japanese Shabu Shabu restaurant. It's another branch from Ikkousha, the famous Japanese Ramen restaurant. The place is only a few houses away from Ikkousha (the original branch in Muara Karang Raya).. The atmosphere is almost the same as Ikkousha, you know them Japanese loveee great hospitality.. They screamed "welcome" in Japanese so loud.. The place is better than Ikkousha, but still it's quite small.

Their restaurant symbol is that dragon. They still have the discounted promo

We are awfully hungry.. We arrived at like 5 p.m.. The place is still empty

Still having the chance to be narcissistic.. Can't you notice the picture behind us.. 

The menu is so big!

They don't have that much of food varieties.. I think they're trying to focus on the shabu2

It's quite pricey. They came in a small personal pot.. Scroll down for more info

See, them Japanese made the waiter/waitress stand like waiting for a door prize.. Great hospitality but I found it funny

As you can read it for yourself, it's the Fried Sliced Pork. For one stick, it'll cost you around 10k. Which I think is very pricey. It's just Ok.. Nothing so special about it.. They came with two sauces, first is somewhat like mayo sauce, the second one is plum sauce

Crunchy!

The complimentary Chawan Mushi. Since they're still new, they are giving free Chawan Mushi  for you to review, later at the end of your meal..

This is the set combo. This one is "Kuah Naga Putih Ayam". They only came with one slice of chicken breast, one shitake, few cuts of tofu, few meatballs and veggies. And it cost you like 98k before tax.. The broth is delicious. Haven't tasted anything like that before, so warm and rich in flavor, but still, I think it's overpriced. I added another 15k to get the congee set. 

Not only it looks good, but it tastes good as well! But the portion is too small!

After they put all the veggies..This one is with the "Kuah Naga Merah" broth. It's spicier. I prefer this one though, more flavorful!

Basically, this is another personal pan with only the broth. Then they put in a bowl of rice and cooked it in front of you till it turned into a congee like texture, then they added an egg and some spring onions. Voilaaa.. Congee set done! It's delicious! The rice was soaked with all that yummy flavors! 

tempting.. and it surprises me, that one bowl of rice can feed the three of us.. It has expanded itself.. 

Late comer is the one on the left!

Another late comers.. They ordered another set though.. 

Udon complimentary.. They're giving you surveys about what's good and what's not. We were stuffed! But since it's free and there were like 3 boys in our table, we couldn't afford to refuse the offer.. lol.. I prefer the rice. The udon just can't soaked in that much flavor..

I love the congee set! I love how the rice turned mushy and soaked with the broth.. I know this restaurant is quite pricey. You can order other meat and veggies to add in to your broth but it's not that cheap. If you're looking for something new and some humble Japanese expats (They're really humble! One of the bosses cooked for one of the guests by himself), then this is the place to try. My favorite is the Kuah Naga Merah..

A slight info, I know the place is run by Japanese, but the ones who opened it is Indonesians.. I heard some chinese uncle talking in hokkian (Chinese Medanese dialect) and I'm guessing that's them.. lol..

blub blub blub.. cooking away!

Nabedouraku
Jln. Pluit Karang Raya (After Sedap Malam Restaurant)