A staggering selection is offered; it's not fine dining, but some interesting items are available, such as this crispy capellini pasta (nope, it's not part of the table decoration). A bar snack with a Japanese twist, boasting an infusion of umami, possibly thanks to some seaweed. Be careful while chewing these; they're sharp enough to poke a hole through your gums.
A reasonable range of booze is available at heartening rates. From sake to Suntory beer...
... black whiskey soda to yuzu soda ...
... umeshu with grapefruit to shochu on the rocks.
After opening over 600 outlets in Japan, China, Singapore & Taiwan, Watami has landed on Malaysian soil, promising what it calls a "casual Japanese restaurant" experience.
Salmon, cream cheese & veggies in rice paper. Look mom, no carbs! Well, almost anyway.
On the other side of the eat-healthy spectrum: chicken katsu, partnered with a raw egg poured on a sizzling plate. Watami offers plenty of DIY dishes that are potentially fun for families.
Another relatively healthy option: Sapporo Miso Ramen, filled purely with veggies, no meat. Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is supposed to be the birthplace of miso ramen; this subtly sweet preparation stuck close to the authentic recipe, topped with sweet corn & bean sprouts.
Okonomiyaki with a difference, stuffed with mochi for a sticky surprise. A well-executed version of this oft-abused pancake; thick and aromatic without being sickeningly greasy.
Tofu with cheese & mentaiko. Prices here are lower than expected; this one cost about RM15, including service charge. We predict Watami will be packed at peak hours in the weeks ahead, even though the restaurant is spacious enough to fit more than 100 customers.
A yakitori set of beef with spring onions & asparagus, chicken wings, thigh & soft bones. Not as smoky or succulent as the best ones out there, but for below RM20, we can't complain.
With a menu that spans more than 120 choices, there's no lack of temptations here. For something a little different: a do-it-yourself Japanese potato salad, served warm with fish roe, boiled eggs, carrots, onions & beef bacon. Use the pestle to mash everything up into soft, savory baby food.
Kamameshi _ a traditional pilaf-like rice recipe with salmon, scallops, chicken & mushrooms, cooked in a steel pot at the table for 20 minutes. Not as lip-smacking as paella, bibimbap or even claypot rice, but still satisfyingly fragrant, brimming with succulent seafood & meat.
Deep-fried shishamo. Tired of the typical grilled preparations for smelt? This one is revelation, lightly battered and crunchy outside, bursting with juicy roe within. An absolute joy, reminding us that a little tweak might be all that's needed to make an old ingredient taste new again.
A crisp, bountiful salad with teriyaki chicken, tomatoes & tuna sauce. Could be a main course on its own, but we were thankful that it supplied our fiber requirement.
Anago tempura maki. A creative change from regular unagi rolls; tastes like a cross between crispy prawn maki & eel maki, if that makes any sense.
Salmon mayo roll. Good news for Watami fans who live in PJ: another branch is opening later this year at 1 Utama. Let's hope there'll be even more eventually.
Scallops with mushrooms cooked in butter. An aromatic pleasure; the oceanic sweetness of the scallops blended beautifully with the mushrooms' earthiness. Squeeze a little lime for a tangy touch that takes everything up a notch.
Australian Frankland River Chardonnay & Cabernet Merlot are offered by the glass and the bottle. Prices are praiseworthy, at slightly below RM20 per glass.
