“Sushi with a view!”
Located in the heart of Colombo at the Japanese-owned Granbell Hotel, lies Minori, a haven of tranquillity and taste. Minori blends Japanese cuisine with fine dining and includes an immersive culinary experience.
Minori offers a selection of traditional Japanese delicacies such as sushi, sashimi, maki, nigiri and much more. You also have the option of experiencing their dishes come to life as you watch their live teppanyaki and tempura stations and have your meal made and served right in front of you. I myself, as a huge fan of Japanese food, thoroughly enjoyed the spread of delicacies they had in store!
Let’s dig in!
APPETISERS
Egg Rolls (6 pcs) – LKR 1,200 (5/5)
You might think egg rolls sound rather plain, but these will prove you wrong! This clever take on the classic egg rolls or ‘Tamagoyaki’ (Japanese Rolled Omelet), was a delicious combination of savoury and sweet. Seasoned with soy sauce and sugar, its soft texture made this a fun and great starter to our meal.
Edamame Beans – LKR 2,000 (3/5)
The edamame beans were a decent salty snack. They could make an interesting pairing with a glass of beer, similar to nuts but soft in texture! It could even work as a good palate cleanser in between meals, but I personally felt like there could have been a bit more flavour meshed into it.
Tuna Sashimi (4 pcs) – LKR 3,600 (4/5)
This fresh and finely sliced tuna sashimi was calling my name. Minori’s sashimi came in a generous portion served in a very decorative way; on a bed of ice to preserve its freshness. Points for presentation. The slices were thick and you could taste the natural juices of the tuna as well as feel the delicate texture of the meat.
Salmon Nigiri (2 pcs) – LKR 1,000 (5/5)
You can’t go wrong with a classic! Minori’s salmon nigiri did not fail to deliver when it came to taste. The creaminess of the salmon mixed with the rice, along with the flavours from the soy sauce made this dish, despite its small size, a worthy contender. To have a deeper appreciation of it, it’s best to eat it on its own to enjoy the richness of the smoked salmon, but a dip in soy sauce wouldn’t hurt either.
Prawn Tempura Roll (4 pcs) – LKR 3,200 (5/5)
This was hands down one of my favourites. This signature maki was made with a single prawn in the middle of the roll and a heaping of tempura on top. The rolls were topped with a signature sauce that tasted sweet and savoury – a creamy and crispy treat.
Spicy Tuna and Leek Roll (4 pcs) – LKR 3,600 (5/5)
This little roll has a nice kick to it! It came with a generous helping of tuna and a sweet and spicy sauce that pulled the whole dish together. Combined with wasabi, you can kick the spiciness up a notch. This is definitely going on my list of favourites.
MAINS
Teppanyaki Grilled Chicken – LKR 3,000 (5/5)
Teppanyaki is the perfect mix of style and taste, considering the art of making teppanyaki and its delicious lightly charred taste. This chicken was soft and tender, flavoured with a salty and garlic-y sauce. And better yet, this grilled teppanyaki chicken had a delicious crispy skin. The texture of the meat and the crackling made me keep going back to it for more!
Pork Cutlet Don – LKR 3,200 (5/5)
When I see pork on a menu, my eyes immediately turn there. This pork cutlet don is a fried, panko-breaded pork cutlet, made in the traditional Japanese way of katsudon, minus the rice. The pork cutlet was served as thinly sliced strips and the portion itself was very generous – probably enough to satisfy two people. The meat was incredibly tender and succulent, and the breading was light and full of flavour. I’ll admit, this was the dish I enjoyed the most. It was a real belly-warming meal.
DESSERT
Mille Crepes – LKR 1,500 (5/5)
I am not kidding when I say I have never had a dessert like this before in my life. Mille Crepes is a Japanese dessert made from delicate stacks of paper-thin crepes, layered with sweet fillings, and Minori has executed it perfectly. It was so light and creamy that it just melted in my mouth.
DRINKS
Suika Hai – LKR 2,000 (3/5)
This cocktail, made with the Japanese Shochu and Watermelon Liqueur is a fruity but bitter beverage. This beverage exuded Japanese vibes, from the ceramic it is served in, to the fact that it almost reminds one of wasabi, in that it gives you a zesty punch from the very first sip. It’s perfect for an adventurous customer looking for something new to try, but for the average customer, this may be a bit too bitter to enjoy.
Umeshutini – LKR 2,000 (2/5)
This Japanese-style martini might not be for everyone, but for those willing to brave the bitterness might enjoy this strong and sour drink made with Japanese Umeshu Liqueur and Gin. In my opinion, this cocktail could have been a bit smoother in terms of taste, I myself was unable to get past the bitterness of the drink to fully enjoy it.
AMBIENCE
The executive chef at Minori, Chef Naga is a Japanese national who specialises in Japanese cuisine so you can expect an authentic Japanese culinary experience leaning more towards fine dining.
A highlight of Minori is their live teppanyaki and tempura stations, with a grill that stretches from one end to the other of the front of the restaurant, surrounded by bar stools. This gives customers a chance to witness the chefs in action and enjoy freshly prepared meals on the spot.
The restaurant space holds a comfortable indoor area and an outdoor area surrounded by stunning views of Colombo, the ocean and Port City. Minori is, in general, a very warm and pleasant spot with friendly and attentive staff. Even the chef takes the time to come outside and see if you’ve enjoyed the food, and we did – not just the food, but the experience as a whole.
Although their clientele mostly consists of foreigners and a more exclusive crowd, Minori is a must-try for any connoisseur of Japanese food. So get your next paycheck, get your friends (at least the ones who love Japanese cuisine), and treat yourself to an array of traditional Japanese delicacies, at Minori.
The post Minori Japanese Restaurant by Granbell Hotel Colombo | Restaurant Review appeared first on Pulse.
Source From Pulse.lk
Author: Shamindri De Sayrah
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