JPN: Japan Airlines JL712 (Economy)

Mouth-watering 'buta kakuni' onboard!

Happy New Year, everyone! Let's begin the year with a series of posts on my trip to Nagoya and nearby regions in Japan. My journey began with a smooth flight from Singapore to Narita International Airport aboard Japan Airlines JL712 before taking a domestic flight. What were served onboard?

For a flight that departed at 8.00am, I was genuinely surprised to be served a meal that resembled lunch rather than the expected breakfast.

Pre-Meal Snack & Beverage

Before the main meal service, each passenger was treated to a packet of mixed rice crackers. To complement the snack, I chose the airline's original drink called Sky Time, which was a refreshing blend of peach and grape flavours on this occasion.

JL Meal #1

Potato Salad - Taste: 7.5/10

Served cold, the potato salad topped with a sprig of parsley was creamy enough for my liking.

Seasoned Jellyfish - Taste: 8/10

The jellyfish shreds, marinated in savoury and slightly tangy sauce, offered a delightful texture that was both crisp and tender. They were sprinkled with sesame seeds and accompanied by pickled cucumbers.

Cold Udon - Taste: 7/10

The chilled udon (Japanese wheat flour noodle) was served with a jelly-like form of the traditional dipping sauce, likely chosen for practicality in an onboard setting for mass Economy Class passengers. While the udon was smooth, I'd prefer thicker and chewier ones.

Braised Pork Belly with Rice - Taste: 8.5/10

Simmered in rich, flavourful broth that gave it a glossy, caramelised finish, the Japanese braised pork belly was an awesome choice. The meat was succulent, pairing nicely with the rice that was adequately fluffy. It was accompanied by edamame (Japanese young soybeans), yam and carrots.

Grilled Chicken with Rice - Taste: 8/10

Glazed with a kind of sweet sauce, the grilled chicken was a delectable main course as well. The charred exterior of the tender chicken offered a smoky flavour. Served alongside the white meat were rice, broccoli and carrots.

Fresh Fruits

The trio of fruits - watermelon, melon and orange - were pretty sweet and juicy.

Ice Cream

A cup of Udders dark chocolate ice cream came with the tray. It was rock cold at first, but by the time I finished the savoury dishes, the ice cream had softened just enough to be scooped with ease.

Beverages

Besides requesting for more Sky Time, I also had Japanese plum liqueur on the rocks. At the end of the meal, I had a cup of coffee that wasn't too dilute.

JL Meal #2

Berry Cream Cheese Danish - Taste: 6/10

About an hour and a half before landing, I had a danish filled with cream cheese and blueberries. It was nothing extraordinary, but certainly edible.

Beverages

The last drink I had was a cup of orange juice to freshen myself up. Pika's advice: I'm not too sure, but Japan Airlines is probably one of the few that offers sparkling water onboard for enthusiasts out there.

Melon's Rating
Taste: 7.5/10

Ambience: 7.5/10

Service: 7.5/10

Overall: 7.5/10

The cabin was comfortable, providing a pleasant atmosphere for the flight. With a seat pitch of 34 inches, the aircraft offers more legroom than the average economy class seat.

Japan Airlines

Economy Class Cabin

Boeing 767-300

https://www.jal.co.jp/

*No separate price given as meals are included in the ticket price.

Have a nice meal,

Cliff(y)