Aoki

Hidden in Shaw Centre, Aoki is a well kept secret among japanese cuisine lovers willing to splurge. Known as one of the best Japanese fine dining restaurants locally, the interior is simple yet elegant. 

It's a special occasion and I decided it was time to step in for the first time after hearing constant raves about it.

The dishes here are lavishly presented and use quality ingredients. Attention is paid to the smallest detail and the skilful chefs prepare each dish before us. It's a almost like watching a mesmerising art performance.

To whet our appetites, a simple vegetable dish is served. Its slightly sour and savoury tang awakens the palate ready to enjoy the tantalising meal that is to come.

The first dish few dishes set the bar high. It's what they are known for here, seasonals with unique pairings.

 The sweetness of the juicy ebi paired with the briny crustacean flavour of the fresh uni is a delicate yet flavourful explosion in the mouth. To top it off, the saltiness of the caviar proves to be the perfect canvas to showcase the natural sweetness of the ebi and uni.

The next two dishes that follow are culinary masterpieces that showcase a perfect balance bewteen the natural flavours of the fish and the savoury textures of the condiments used.

White snapper carpaccio with truffle shavings and truffled sauce

Leatherjacket sashimi with leatherjacket liver sauce and spring onions 

From here, the meal gets back on the straight and narrow serving up the usual suspects.

Sashimi moriwase

Bonito sashimi

Peeled crabmeat with nori

Asari clear soup with a huge clam

Hamachi belly sushi. 

This is usually the star of the show and once again it's a top contender.

 

But today this is the star of all the sushi. Burnt toro. It's artfully seared so the oil coats the sushi rice.

One cannot even begin to the describe the goodness of this. It leaves me speechless, my eyes flutter closed as I savour the tiny piece of culinary heaven. A contented sigh escapes my lips. I open my eyes, still floating.

It's the perfect end to my meal which ends on a high. 

Be warned. If you step into this place, your tastebuds will be spoilt. 

Aoki

Shaw Centre

When it says jumbo, it's no joke

Back my favourite casual Japanese haunt..Itacho@ION! Only it's moved to B3 next to Imperial treasure now.

My fellow hotate lover had alerted me to jumbo scallops returning to the seasonal menu previously and that's the reason for this post.

Look at this humongous piece of hotate bursting with flavour. When they call it jumbo scallop it really is jumbo!

Its oh so fresh and I remarked that it must have arrived just last night or this morning. The sweetness of the juicy flesh is perfection in my mouth and I can't help but go for a second round and I probably would have gone for a third had I not restrained myself.

If you're as lucky, perhaps you'll get to savour this freshness too! Head down while its in season!!!