JPN: Hikari No Restaurant (ひかりのレストラン)
Delicious dinner with an aerial view of Nagasaki!
In the city of Nagasaki, Japan, my BFFs and I made it a point to go to the summit of Mt. Inasa, which offers one of Japan's three best night views, by taking a ropeway. We had a lovely dinner with a view at the one and only restaurant at the observatory, which offers a small selection of local dishes.
We ordered three main course sets. Do note that they can be ordered a la carte.
The Japanese writing on the menu for this set is トルコライスセット, which includes a cup of clear soup and also a choice of drink. It's unclear why the dish is named after the country straddling eastern Europe and western Asia, but it does include pilaf, along with spaghetti and pork cutlet. The buttery rice pilaf was a perfect companion to the tender pork cutlet topped with two kinds of brown sauce that were harmoniously sweet and sour, while the spaghetti wasn't bad either. Served on the side were salad and a scoop of mashed potatoes. The soup, however, was nothing special with a one-dimensional taste. Pika's advice: You may want to try the more premium Nagasaki Beef Steak Turkey Rice instead. It costs ¥2,200 (~S$27.55) a la carte or ¥2,600 (~S$32.55) as a set.
The Japanese writing on the menu for this cake is カステラ. Now a specialty of Nagasaki, the original form of the cake known as pao de castela (lit. bread from Castile) was brought in by Portuguese merchants in the 16th century. The butter cake served by the restaurant was so-so as it wasn't that fluffy and moist, though it had the right degree of sweetness.
In the city of Nagasaki, Japan, my BFFs and I made it a point to go to the summit of Mt. Inasa, which offers one of Japan's three best night views, by taking a ropeway. We had a lovely dinner with a view at the one and only restaurant at the observatory, which offers a small selection of local dishes.
We ordered three main course sets. Do note that they can be ordered a la carte.
Champon Set ¥1,650 (~S$20.65)
Taste: 9/10
The Japanese writing on the menu for this set is ちゃんぽんセット, inclusive of onigiri (Japanese rice ball), fried chicken, pickles and a choice of drink. Champon is a Chinese-influenced soupy noodle dish that's a regional cuisine of Nagasaki. The restaurant's version was executed well with lots of pork, seafood and vegetables used. As for the broth, it was lipsmackingly rich.
I enjoyed the noodle that wasn't only thick, but also springy. For the first champon eaten in Nagasaki, it was certainly satisfying.
Sara Udon Set ¥1,650 (~S$20.65)
Taste: 8/10
The Japanese writing on the menu for this set is 皿うどんセット, which features the same side dishes mentioned above with a choice of drink as well. Literally meaning 'plate noodle', sara udon is Nagasaki's answer to Cantonese crispy noodle. I'm not really a fan of such a dish, but the one served that evening was tasty. The stir-fried pork, seafood and vegetables thickened with corn starch had a smoky flavour from the wok, i.e. wok hei.
Turkey Rice Set ¥1,600 (~S$20.05)
Taste: 8.5/10
The Japanese writing on the menu for this set is トルコライスセット, which includes a cup of clear soup and also a choice of drink. It's unclear why the dish is named after the country straddling eastern Europe and western Asia, but it does include pilaf, along with spaghetti and pork cutlet. The buttery rice pilaf was a perfect companion to the tender pork cutlet topped with two kinds of brown sauce that were harmoniously sweet and sour, while the spaghetti wasn't bad either. Served on the side were salad and a scoop of mashed potatoes. The soup, however, was nothing special with a one-dimensional taste. Pika's advice: You may want to try the more premium Nagasaki Beef Steak Turkey Rice instead. It costs ¥2,200 (~S$27.55) a la carte or ¥2,600 (~S$32.55) as a set.
Castella ¥250 (~S$3.15)
Taste: 6/10
The Japanese writing on the menu for this cake is カステラ. Now a specialty of Nagasaki, the original form of the cake known as pao de castela (lit. bread from Castile) was brought in by Portuguese merchants in the 16th century. The butter cake served by the restaurant was so-so as it wasn't that fluffy and moist, though it had the right degree of sweetness.
Melon's Rating
Taste: 8/10
Ambience: 8.5/10
Service: 8/10
Overall: 8/10
Given the ambience and the quality of the food, the price tags are more than justified.
Hikari No Restaurant
(ひかりのレストラン)
364 Inasamachi
Mt. Inasa Observatory
Nagasaki
Japan
Mt. Inasa Observatory
Nagasaki
Japan
(Daily: 11.00am - 9.30pm)
*Prices quoted are nett prices.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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