Saisai Japanese Restaurant at Plaza Damas, Sri Hartamas: Restaurant Review

It’s challenging to prove that Saisai exists; this new secret sanctuary for Japanese soul food – half a shop-lot in Plaza Damas – has no signboard, no English-language Facebook page, no Foursquare location so far. But Saisai may thrive through old-fashioned word-of-mouth, as fans of Japanese fare seek out what friendly founder Mika-san & chef Moritsuna Sakuma offer.

Oden

Come for a taste of tradition – oden in its truest, time-honoured form, a simmering stew in a pot of light, soy-laced dashi broth.

Customers can choose exactly what they want in their bowl of oden – options include hard-boiled egg, daikon, konjac, fish cakes, tendon meat & cabbage rolls. Three components cost RM12, each additional piece is between RM4 & RM6, served with karashi mustard sauce. A wholesome, warming Japanese winter dish that works well for Malaysian rainy-evening comfort.

Honest cooking flows out of the kitchen: Rustic meal sets (RM24) comprise rice meant to be poured over with warm grated mountain yam, ‘menchi-katsu’ crispy-crumbed minced pork cutlets & a mild-flavoured, nourishing pork-&-veggie miso soup.

Akashiyaki

The spirit of home-style recipes is also imbued in the ‘akashiyaki,’ named for Japan’s southern city of Akashi. Round dumplings made with an eggy batter, tinged with octopus tentacles – evocative of takoyaki, with a softer, somewhat fluffier texture. RM15 for a serving of seven pieces.

Heaps on the menu to ensure nobody leaves hungry – buttery-rich Japanese curry rice with beef & chicken (RM18), ika karaage (RM13), tonkotsu ramen (RM18) & sake-steamed clams (RM18). We’ll likely hear more of Saisai in the months ahead.