RECOMMENDED: Japanese: Rakuzen

SG Foodie thinks Japanese food is the most globally well-liked food... seriously what's not to like about Japanese food with its exquisite presentation and full flavours. In Singapore, SG Foodie was a frequent visitor to Sushi Tei especially the one at Vivo City that offers a fantastic view of Universal Studio Singapore and the Paragon branch. These two branches seems to offer fresher selections on the conveyor belt.

Anyway coming back to KL... Sushi Tei exists here but faces fierce competition from similar-themed Japanese restaurants like Sushi Zanmai and Rakuzen. Every branch of Sushi Zanmai SG Foodie has been to so far always has a long queue during peak hours, showing how popular it is with the KL crowd.

Rakuzen on the other hand is a little pricier and are located at the more upmarket locations such as Desa Park City, Empire Mall and the latest mall addition in Mont Kiara, Publika. SG Foodie decided to check out Publika last weekend as she heard that it offered a great food choices like Ben's Independent Grocer (BIG)'s cafe called BEN (will post about this another day!)... however ended up going with Rakuzen as the kids wanted Japanese.

SG Foodie (who's been dying to have lobster but haven't had the heart to spend so much on just one food item) decided to try out the less-ordered items such as the lobster salad and fried salmon skin. The lobster salad is part of the seasonal menu at Rakuzen and it was served with a wasabi-mayo dressing and ebikko (fish roe) - YUM to the power of 10! =D

Fried salmon skin is not an uncommon item on most Japansese restaurants' menu but SG Foodie must admit that the one she had at Rakuzen last weekend was the best she had so far. The salmon skin were thinly-sliced and perfectly fried and served with a topping of teriyaki sauce. Only complaints for the lobster salad and fried salmon skin were the portions were a tad too small for this greedy foodie! ;p

SG Foodie also had the Sukiyaki Beef Bento and pinched some Chirashi Don from DH. The Sukiyaki Beef was a large one-person serving and and the flavour was just right - not too sweet or salty though on a Bento it wasn't served with a candle-lit warmer. The seasonal appetisers, chawan mushi, miso soup, rice and fruits served together with the Sukiyaki on this Bento makes this a hearty meal for a good eater like SG Foodie.

However the Chirashi Don didn't quite make the mark... SG Foodie recommends the Chirashi Don from Kampachi (at Equatorial Hotel Bangi or Pavilion) instead.