It was AWESOME.
Only reason we don't do Japanese enough is cos Mitch doesn't agree with anything but chicken katsu and chicken karaage. And it's no fun to eat sashimi and drink umeshu by yourself while your partner looks on from his bowl of battered chicken and rice.
So immediate yes when invitation came to go to Kanta after work. Even though we had to drive from Malaga to Langford and then back home to Perth after. Total hours of driving probably came to about... hour and a half?
But ohhh it was so worth it. It was only my second time there because it's so out of the way for us, especially now. And it being a one-chef show, eating at Kanta requires a lot of time and patience, so it's best to go with a chatty bunch of company. :) Last time it was DDHM, and last week it was with Aunty Matt and co.
But yes, the restaurant. A small, 20-sitter family-run place, very low-profile, and promoted via word-of-mouth. Bookings are absolutely necessary on all nights, and as I've mentioned, be prepared to wait for your food.
You can expect some of the most authentic Japanese food, and the menu extends beyond the typical katsu/bento/tempura fares at most Perth restaurants. We usually order several side dishes to share, and then a main meal each just to fill ourselves up. And as the prices are pretty reasonable, we can afford to try many many dishes at one go.
Highly recommended to try:
1) Gyu tataki - thinly-sliced beef, lightly seared, and served with grated daikon and what tasted like miso dipping sauce.
Tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef slices paired with crispy radish shreds.
2) Sashimi platter
Fresh, succulent slices of fish. No need for wasabi and soy sauce, just a squeeze of lemon and indulge. X-)
And one of my favourites:
3) Grilled squid tentacles
Toasty, delightful morsels, seasoned with sea salt and carefully grilled over a low flame.
xxx
Then there was hot pot udon at Shimizu in Harbourtown.
Best remedy on a cold winter afternoon, especially after a full day of shopping. :)
Despite the commercialization of Shimizu, I reckon this branch does one of the better udons in town. The broth was delectable - strong but not heady, flavourful but not to the extend of overwhelming the taste of the noodles.
It was a very simple assemble: soup, noodles, shiitake mushrooms, seaweed and an egg. The prawn tempura was a plus, but ohhh it was a necessary bonus.
xxx
Lastly, the most fanciest of them all - Satsuki in Subiaco.
I've been meaning to try this restaurant for a while now, and what better time than to celebrate Danson's visit to Perth. My Jap food buddy (who isn't back home in KL or miles away in London), back in town to settle some scores haha.
The prices were a bit more atas than the rest, but not exceedingly so. The ambient was relaxed, casual dining, but with a touch of posh since you know, it is Subiaco after all.
We had sashimi,
Seared miso marinated sashimi tuna, served with light miso sauce and a hint of chilli
Sushi.
2 pieces each of soy marinated Zuke style tuna and seared wagyu beef tataki, on a bed of soft, pillowy seasoned rice.
2 pieces each of lightly-smoked scallops and lemon-scented poached octopus
Grilled perch
Pearl perch marinated with white miso, and then grilled and served with homemade turnip pickles
And simmered pork belly.
Which, to be honest, wasn't that great. Danson loved every sinful bite of it though, so I think my lack of appreciation is due to my inability to eat meat fats. Especially a whole chunk of it, no matter how good it's supposed to be. I had to imagine it was tofu, and then quickly wash it down with several cups of green tea. =.= And the egg just tasted like Chinese tea eggs.
But apart from that slight fatty bump, the meal was excellent. Danson ended his dinner as how he always ends his Japanese meals: with green tea ice-cream. I stole a bite under his scornful stare, but we both agreed Kanta does better matcha ice-cream.
Me, I finally had my umeshu. :)
xx
Hsin
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