Abalone-topped sushi, anyone?
Founded in 1995, Kura Sushi is the second largest sushi restaurant chain in Japan, trailing only behind Sushiro (スシロー). Having more than 450 outlets in the country, it's since expanded its presence to international locations, such as Taiwan and the USA. While visiting Osaka, I decided to drop by the branch located at the vibrant district of Shinsekai.
Ordering is done using a table provided at each table. The picture menu is accessible in multiple languages, including Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English.
Seared Bonito Nigiri ¥125 (~S$1.15)
Taste: 7.5/10
Let's start with one of the seared variations available at the restaurant. In terms of pricing, the bonito proved to be a fresh and worthwhile choice. The brief searing process introduced a delightful smoky aroma, accentuating the natural freshness of the red flesh.
Swordtip Squid Nigiri ¥125 (~S$1.15)
Taste: 7/10
Texture wise, the small-sized swordtip squid was tender with a slight crunch. The addition of ginger, with its piquant and aromatic qualities, provided a refreshing contrast to the subtle brininess of the squid.
Abalone Nigiri ¥270 (~S$2.45)
Taste: 7/10
While I wouldn't describe the experience as life-changing, both abalone slices were succulent enough. They were rather plain to be eaten on their own, but the flavours were elevated with a touch of
shoyu (Japanese soy sauce) and
wasabi (Japanese horseradish).
Shrimp Dumpling Nigiri ¥180 (~S$1.65)
Taste: 7.5/10
A rather interesting find, the
sushi adorned with deep-fried shrimp dumpling was pretty mouth-watering. The juicy minced shrimp was encased in a hair-like batter that wasn't only visually captivating, but also remarkably light and crunchy on the palate.
Octopus and Okra Gunkan ¥125 (~S$1.15)
Taste: 8/10
Let's move on to
gunkan, which literally means 'battleship' due to its shape. I enjoyed the pairing of the slightly crunchy baby octopus and the slimy, tender slices of ladyfinger nestled atop a bed of rice, all neatly encased in a seaweed wrap.
Tuna Roll ¥180 (~S$1.65)
Taste: 6.5/10
I'm not an ardent fan of
sushi rolls, but I just had to give the classic tuna roll a try. Although there was a satisfactory amount of minced tuna inside each piece, I was hoping for a denser compression of the vinegared rice.
Matcha Parfait ¥330 (~S$3.00)
Taste: 7/10
The dessert couldn't surpass the legendary parfait from
Nakamura Tokichi for sure, but it was a rather sweet ending to the meal nonetheless. Sitting on some crunchy cornflakes, the green tea cake and ice cream were topped with vanilla cream and a dusting of
kinako (Japanese roasted soybean powder).
Taste: 7/10
Ambience: 7/10
I actually tried some other items as well, but those are the only photos I was able to recover. Pika's advice: With every five empty plates inserted into the plate slot, you get a chance to win a prize. Try your luck!
Kura Sushi
(くら寿司)
2-6-3 Ebisuhigashi
Naniwa, Osaka
Japan
(Daily: 11.00am - 11.00pm)
*Prices quoted are nett prices.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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