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| Succulent and sour: These freshly sliced beef tenderloin are sauteed and dipped in ponzu sauce, then served with green onions and seaweed. |
Viet Nam News
Japanese cuisine respects the original flavour of the ingredients. Mirai lives up to this reputation, combining creative cooking techniques and perfect presentation in a warm environment. Hoang Linh reports.
Japanese cuisine has always been attractive to me, maybe because its culinary style respects the original flavour of the ingredients. During the cooking process, the chef attempts to balance the natural sweetness of the ingredients with creativity and diversity in cooking technique and presentation.
Although I know a lot of Japanese restaurants in Ha Noi, I still like to try new ones. So when I spotted a Japanese restaurant by the name of Mirai while passing a corner of Quang Trung Street, I decided to try it right away.
As in many other Japanese restaurants, the design is simple. The large dining table, in black and red tones to match the other furniture, evokes warmth, cleanliness and friendliness. The staff is courteous and very dedicated; each order is served quickly.
The menu is full of typical Japanese choices; however, the style has been modified to fit Vietnamese preferences. As I try my appetisers – crab egg and seaweed salad and salted Japanese octopus with mustard – all my senses are awakened. I find the salad sweet and sour, with fatty sauce and delicious crab egg that instantly cools and relaxes my palate. This dish is perfect for those who love cabbage and fresh seaweed. Although the ingredients are not uncommon, the chef’s deft preparation results in a well-balanced dish.
If the salad provides a cool start to the meal, it is balanced by the kick of the salted octopus. With just one bite, I was conquered by the spicy taste of the mustard. Roll the diced octopus in dried seaweed with a slice of turnip before dipping into a mix of Japanese soy sauce and mustard, and you too will be overcome by the delicious spice.
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| Fresh fish: The miso hot pot comes with salmon, tuna, shrimp, and squid. |
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| Friendly faces: The welcoming warmth and cleanliness of Mirai. Photo Mirai restaurant’s Facebook |
Although most people assume Japanese food means sushi or sashimi, Japanese chefs are skilled in preparing many other ingredients. My next dish, a very enjoyable sauteed beef tenderloin in ponzu sauce, illustrates the chef’s well-rounded skillset. The freshly sliced pieces of tenderloin are served on a bed of green onions and seaweed, which complement the flavour. The characteristic sour taste of the ponzu sauce prevents the taste and smell of the meat from becoming overpowering. Although I rarely order beef, I was convinced to try this dish by a friend who loves Mirai.
"I think I could eat it every day," she told me. I am glad I followed her advice.
My last dish at Mirai, the miso seafood hot pot, took me by surprise. I have never liked the mild taste of miso because I tend to prefer strong flavours, but this soup has the rich taste of fresh milk. Dip seafood into it, and the soup becomes unusually sweet. The hot pot comes with a bounty of fresh salmon, tuna, shrimp and squid.
I enjoyed dipping each ingredient into the pot to taste it with the soup. Fresh soba noodles, prepared in-house by the chef, complete the hotpot. The tough texture of these noodles perfectly complements the rest of the dish, and sets it apart from hotpot found at other Japanese restaurants. The noodles remind me of those used in the dishes of Central Viet Nam.
Mirai restaurant is worth a visit for anyone who enjoys Japanese food. If you are ever near Quang Trung Street, you should take the opportunity to try it. --VNS
Mirai
Address: 2D Quang Trung Street, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi
Open time: 10am-10pm
Price: VND300,000/pax
Comment: Cozy place, nice decoration, professional staff, delicious and well-priced food.
OVietnam