Wasabi Bistro A New Look, with the same great food!

Wasabi Bistro A New Look! Same great food!

Wasbi Bistro at Mandarin Oriental is one of those restaurants I always recommend to all my friends. Having eaten there a while back for Red FMs Big Red Food Review, over and over again I made promises to myself to return, especially for Kumis No. 1, their signature dish.

The iconic Kumi's No. 1

Well, over a year has flown by and another invitation to dine there came in, announcing their new look! And what a new look it was.

In Japanese, Wa means harmony and Sabi means simplicity superbly representative of the restaurant which exudes a simple elegance and is alluringly charming. The Japanese menu at Wasabi Bistro has its roots in the philosophy of Japanese art and cuisine borne out of Grandma Isekis kitchen.

Located on level P1, the restaurant itself is independent of the hotel, and you can access it via the carpark, and also through the lobby of M.O. The new Wasabi Bistro has had a facelift and now boasts a more contemporary feel.

A modern take on intricate, traditional Japanese fare enjoyed in the quiet elegance of an intimate bistro setting. Subtly decorated with exquisite Japanese art and artifacts, the dining areas have been designed to offer guests the utmost privacy.

While the deco changes only once in a blue moon, the food however, remains constantly evolving.

Edamame snacks to whet your appetite

Traditional Japanese cuisine with a Hawaiian twist an outstanding combination which is intriguing and refreshing to the palate. Wasabi Bistro offers elegant fusion cuisine for diners who want a unique alternative! with pl easant traces of the authentic.

Fatboybakes, Lexie, Lil Chef and I sat down to dinner with Operations Manager Kevin James Hee, who tickled us with his sharp with and passion for the cuisine, and Azrina, who on behalf of Wasabi Bistro, graciously extended the invite for us to dine there.

We were treated to the highlights of Wasabi Bistros Menu. All these items are a must try if you dine there!

HORENSO GOMA-AE

Blanched spinach bathed in hand-crushed miso dressing

Served in dainty little dishes, this was a refreshing, crunchy and nutty way get our tastebuds going.

AHI POKE

Hawaiian style marinated tuna sashimi with crunchy seaweed

Deep red, still raw, thick slices of tuna that tasted fresh out of the ocean. The flavour was sweet, again slightly nutty like the seaweed, with a hint of tropical fruits.

KUMIS NO. 1

Crabmeat with avocado wrapped in white fish fillet, oven-baked with Kumis supreme secret sauce

Unanimoussensational palate pleaser!

Kumis No. 1 is a dish you will never forget! Its got so many dimensions of flavours that just work so well together. The crabmeat was sweet and fresh, the avocado smooth and velvety, complemented beautifully by the slightly oily, salty fish and rich, creamy sauce. There was no poi! nt being polite about eating it in small bites. Open wide and eat it all at once! It was just as good as I remembered

SPECIALTY SUSHI

Salmon mango soft roll, soft shell crab roll and rainbow roll

One of the things I loved most about Wasabi Bistros assortment of sushi was the pretty colours that lit up the plate. I think eating with your eyes first always ensures a better taste sensation. A myriad of yellows, greens, reds and oranges teased and tempted us, until we could resist no longer and just dove in with our chospsticks.

Each roll itself is larger than what is served in other Japanese Restaurants Ive tried in KL, so be warned, they are very filling! They were all outstanding. It was hard to choose between the combinations of sweet mango wrapped delicately alongside fresh salmon, or the salmon and juicy crabmeat, or the avocado and intense eel I liked them all!

MARINATED BUTTERFISH

Lightly marinated Butterfish on a bed of crushed ice

Kevin explained to us that rather than serving it raw, the butterfish was lightly marinated to add flavour and give it some colour, then smoked. Its a meaty fish, and has a slightly chewy texture, and in this case, a hint of smokiness in the aftertaste.

GRILLED CHICKEN TERIYAKI ON SKEWER

Marinated grilled chicken teriyaki on skewers

Tender, caramelized chunks of chicken, with! a pleas ant balance of sweet and salty. Sprinkle some traditional Japanese spices on the juicy meat for an added kick!

PAPAYA MOTOYAKI

Sauted shrimps, scallops, mushrooms and peppers served in halved papaya shell, oven-baked to succulent perfection with Motoyaki sauce

This is definitely one of the most unique combinations of ingredients Ive ever tried. I liked the idea behind it, but my tastebuds werent so sure. It was a little too rich for me, and I didnt take to the combination of the various shellfish against the warm, gooey papaya. Fatboybakes, on the other hand, loved it, and polished off his very own half papaya! To each his own!

CLASSIC TEMPURA

Shrimp and fresh vegetables dipped in light specialty tempura batter, deep-fried to a golden crisp

Anyone can cook Tempura, but not anyone can do Tempura well! The batter was crisp and tasty, the prawn succulent and bouncy. Lovely with the dip of Japanese Vinegar & shredded radish.

GOLDEN FRIED BANANA WITH VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM

Perfectly crispy golden fried banana with smooth-as-silk vanilla bean ice-cream

So Sinful! Lovely textures, sweet and filling, balanced out by the refreshing Vanilla ice cream.

Fatboybakes loves his bananas!

CLASSIC GREEN TEA ICE CREAM & GREEN TEA ICE CREAM WITH ROASTED SESAME

Two flavours paired, enhancing the distinctive tastes of refreshing green tea and rich roasted sesame seeds; the sweetred bean sauce tops both to perfection

A simple end to a fulfilling meal. If youre looking for something a little out of the ordinary in terms of Japanese food, then I recommend the fresh, tropical tastes and creative dishes at Wasabi Bistro. Whether youre being mesmerized at the Sushi Bar by the intricate handiwork of the restaurants master chef, or quietly being adventurous with the restaurants more unusual food combinations, Wasabi Bistro will definitely awaken your tastebuds!

I certainly hope this time, I wont wait so long again to get my fill of Kumis No. 1!

*Thank you Kevin, Azrina and the team at Wasabi Bistro for such a delicious and filling evening!

CONTACT

WASABI BISTRO

Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur

Level P1 Kuala Lumpur City Centre

50088 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603 2163 0968

Cuisine: Contemporary Japanese

Hours: Monday Sunday | Lunch 12pm 2.30pm / Dinner 6.00pm 10.30pm

W: www.wasabibistro.com

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