Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Japan. Show all posts

Kaiseki in Kyoto: Kikunoi Roan 菊乃井 露庵

Kaiseki is labelled as a must-try culinary experience on various websites while I was researching for our trip to Kyoto. 

Kaiseki is not omakase. So what is kaiseki? It is a Japanese multi-course haute cuisine. The courses in kaiseki are dependent on the seasonal produce, meticulously curated and plated. There are some standard courses in the kaiseki often in a prescribed order that the chef decides. 

Omakase, on the other hand, translated literally, means 'I'll leave it up to you'. In this case, customers trust the chef to take them on a culinary journey with surprises. The chef will make adjustment on the courses according to the diner's palate. 

That was a brief summary of what I found out about kaiseki. Of course, the best way to find out more is to try it!

Kikunoi Roan is a two Michelin star restaurant in Kyoto serving kaiseki founded by owner-chef Yoshiharu Murata.

Lunch ¥4,000 ¥7,000 ¥10,000
Dinner ¥13,000 ¥16,000 ¥20,000 ¥25,000
(excluding 8% taxes and 10% service charges)

There are many restaurants and ryokans serving kaiseki in Kyoto. I chose Kikunoi Roan simply because of the good reviews and the affordable lunch option. We ended up with dinner because lunch was fully booked. Morale of the story: Reservation is strongly advisable! Do note that the restaurant don't take online reservation so ask your hotel concierge for help.

Aperitif and Amuse 
Sake with a fragrance of iris leaf 

Aperitif and Amuse 
Chinese yam Jelly, Shiso flower, light soy sauce gel with Wasabi

Hassun (Appetizers) 
Marinated Aburame (greenling fish) in rice vinegar, Wrapped sea eel in Kanpyo (dried gourd shavings), Edamame, salted Tai (red sea bream fish) roe cake, Japanese taro, Chimake-Sushi, ginger 

Sashimi 
Tai (red sea bream fish), Shimaazi (yellow jack), Udo and carrot, Wasabi

Sashimi 
Bonito fish with Ponzu gel

Soup 
Guiji (tilefish), thin omelet, Cha-soba (Japanese green tea noodles), Tsuyu-soup (dried bonito fish stock, light soy sauce, Mirin) with fresh green tea

Grilled 
Ayu fish, Tade-zu (water pepper vinegar) 

Grilled 
Small eggplant

Salad 
Wasabi and orange sorbet 

Salad
Dressed with Tofu and Tai milt, broad bean, shellfish, Fuki, Myouga

Hot Pot 
Beef Fried fish, Hana-Sansho (Japanese pepper flower), egg sauce, bamboo shoot, Warabi, wheat gluten, tofu 

Rice 
Rice with grilled Tai, cabbage soup, Japanese pickles

Dessert 
Champagne sorbet, pineapple, aloe

Dessert 
Strawberry, strawberry sauce, milk ice cream 


The full meal took about 2.5 hours and I was already full by the fifth or sixth course. The dinner also unlocked our 'most expensive meal' badge. Nonetheless, a very worthwhile experience. 

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Information you might be interested in:

Kikunoi Roan
118 Saito-cho, Shijo-sagaru, Kiyamachi-dori, Shimogyo-ku,
Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 600-8012

Review: hotel androoms Osaka Hommachi

Ain't nobody have time to read long reviews so here are 10 pointers about the hotel.
  1. hotel androoms Osaka Hommachi is located between Kita and Minami.
  2. Kita is home to the bustling business and shopping district, Umeda, and Osaka's busiest transportation hub, Osaka Station (大阪駅). Minami is where you will find Namba (難波) and Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) shopping areas and the Osaka must visit, Dotonbori (道頓堀).
  3. We stayed in the hotel for 3 nights in May for ¥27,500 (SGD341.96). 
  4. Officially opened on 27 April 2017, it was barely two week old when we were there. 
  5. The hotel has 103 rooms spreading over 7 floors. Laundry room is available on the first floor. 
  6. Check-in time is at 15:00 and check-out time at 11:00. If you are early, the hotel does provide with complimentary luggage deposit service. If you are late, the front desk operates for 24 hours. The staff do speak minimal English. 
  7. The best way to get to the hotel is from Midosuji Line Hommachi Station Exit 2 (refer to Google map below). Most subway exits have no elevator or lift. Exit 2 is the nearest exit to the hotel that have lift for your bulky luggages. 
  8. The Standard Double Room we stayed is what I would describe as minimalist style done right. 
  9. The 17m2 room comes with everything you need - TV, refrigerator, electric kettle, hair dryer, bidet toilet, bath tub, body soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, bath and hand towels, pyjama and slippers. Free WIFI available in all areas. 
  10. A 24-hour Family Mart is just 200m away from the hotel and there are several restaurants in the neighbourhood.  
  11. Payment is made through a machine and the key cards are dispense from it. 


Our ratings for hotel androids Osaka Hommachi:
Location ★★★★
Cleanliness ★★★★★
Service ★★★★

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Information you might be interested in:

hotel androoms Osaka Hommachi
1-7-7 Utsubo-hommachi, Nishi-ku, Osaka-shi 550-0004, Osaka
Reservation: http://www.hotel-androoms.com/en/